Michelle Risa: Author of “Conscious Entrepreneurs: A Radical New Approach to Purpose, Passion and Profits"
Here to shine a light on the rapidly growing conscious business movement today is author and social entrepreneur, Michele Risa. Michele is not only co-author of “Conscious Entrepreneurs: A Radical New Approach to Purpose, Passion and Profits,” winner of the National “Best Books 2008” Awards, but is also CEO of BeyondBodyMindSpirit.com, a website offering a “jumpstart your health” program that is designed to provide a new solution in our times of healthcare crisis, as well as how to turn the worst of times to the best of times in our day to day challenges and decisions that seems to keep steering us further and further from our goals.
Since graduating from New York University and Columbia University Michele has been able to travel the world as well as help many companies- most recently the New York Stock Exchange- improve its most valuable asset- the well-being of its employees.
Tune in Thursday to here about the joys and challenges of starting and maintaining a successful social business with Michele Risa.
Scott Leonard, founder and CEO of Indigenous Designs
Joining us this week is Scott Leonard, CEO and Co-founder of Indigenous Designs Corporation, a leading apparel brand and producer of hand-knit, natural fiber clothing. Scott is responsible for directing the Indigenous Brand identity and Indigenous private label production model.
Founded in 1994, Indigenous Designs develops and markets premium quality apparel to high-end fashion retailers around the world. These fine garments are designed in-house and produced to specification by artisan cooperatives located primarily in South America, Guatemala and India.
In 2009, the company was selected by Apparel Magazine as a “Top Innovator,” in the fashion industry. The company has received the national Socially Responsible Business award from Co-op America.
Scott and Indigenous Designs continue to be heavily involved in promoting sustainability in collaboration with Organic Exchange, the OTA, SVN, BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies), and B-Corp.
Scott is an ardent advocate about the positive power of business for the benefit of people and the planet. He has been a pioneer in the areas of fair trade apparel, organics, social justice and the sustainability movement. Scott has served two terms on the Steering Committee for the Organic Fiber Council, where he collaborated with the USDA to help set the standards for organic cotton. Scott has also worked with Root Capital to establish a breakthrough financial model for funding the fair trade Artisan apparel sector in South America. In 2005, Scott founded the Green Steps program to raise business awareness of sustainability issues.
NOTE: Scott Leonard stated in his interview with us that he is open to providing mentoring and feedback to up-and-coming social entrepreneurs. Contact him at Indigenous Designs for more information.
This week on Planet Good Radio, one of the founders of Numi Tea, Reem Rahim, joins us to discuss their company’s original business vision–to revive the serenity, creativity, and comfort that is inspired by the simple art of tea–and to do so in a sustainable, socially conscious way.
Reem Rahim is also the Creative Director of Numi Organic Tea. She started Numi with her brother 10.5 years ago from a small apartment in Oakland, Ca with the idea to import a tea they drank as children called Numi from their native Iraq. Numi has become the largest organic, fair trade specialty tea company in the country and one of the fastest growing tea companies in the industry.
Reem heads all package design efforts at Numi with her original paintings, inspired by her brother’s photos and the meditative nature and timeless essence of tea, featured on the fronts of Numi’s tea boxes. This artwork of oil on small tin plates is meant to evoke a slower, more contemplative way of being. Reem believes that tea, like art, has a universal essence and is a portal for self-reflection. Reem has a background that is almost as diverse as the selection of Numi teas. Before the advent of Numi, Reem, a Biomedical Engineer, moved to Italy to nurture her artistic aspirations. Reem has exhibited her artwork around the world in San Francisco, New York City, Melbourne, and Florence.
Along with her brother, Reem is a chief contributor and co-creator of Numi’s green and sustainable values, including the initiation of Numi’s non-profit organization and the social and environmental causes it supports. Reem continues to create art in her studio in Oakland, California and is fluent in English, Italian, Spanish, and Arabic.
Special for Planet Good Radio listeners (now through March 31, 2010): 20% off your online purchase at www.numitea.com — just enter code PLNTGD when you check out.
