Good and Social

Joining us from New York is Adrian Solgaard, founder of Solgaard. Ever since Adrian was a kid he has loved connecting things - he actually asked for tape one year for Christmas! A couple decades later and the passion hasn’t faded. Both of his businesses were born from the sheer desire to connect two interests - first bike locks and bags and sometime later suitcases and sustainability. Today he runs Solgaard, a luggage company out of New York City with a unique line of suitcases produced from ocean waste. Always looking to make simple connections between interesting ideas, Adrian joins us to talk about the travel industry, ocean waste, and digging deep to create change.

Today’s conversation is with Chris Baker, the Founder of One Seed Expeditions. Chris grew up in West Virginia, he graduated, moved to Hawaii, lived in a van, travelled to Nepal, and fell deep in love with adventure. He draws inspiration from visiting places unfamiliar and pushing himself to feel uncomfortable. His passion for exploration led him to found a company that raises the bar for what people expect out of their travel, from forging deep local connections to energy input and waste output. Chris impacts local change through global experience, leading One Seed Expeditions to invest in local solutions and entrepreneurs. We’re talking wanderlust, microfinance, community and dignity.

Amirah Jiwa is a social impact strategist, having spent several years leading social impact for popular luggage company, Away. She joins us today to talk about her international upbringing, her personal passion for social change, and the ways in which she believes that businesses can have a significant impact on social issues. From her work with Warby Parker to Away, eyewear to luggage, Amirah is a brilliant strategist and thoughtful innovator and she shares how she led Away to make a real difference through its partnership with nonprofit Peace Direct. You’re in for a great conversation!

Today's conversation is with Brian Jones, founder of Kin Travel. Brian worked for his family accounting business, romanticizing Africa from afar until he packed his bags and moved to Kenya. He set out with intentions to build a tented hotel and found himself inspired by the notions of sustainable travel, deployable hospitality and ecosystem awareness along the way. Brian founded Kin and is shaking up the massive travel industry to create true connection and sustainable impact through local partnerships. This episode is a love letter, both poetic and honest. Get ready to feel some serious wanderlust.

Today's conversation is with Eric Korman, CEO of PHLUR. Fascinated by business, Eric collected coke bottles as a child and read Forbes as a teenager. After working for all the major consumer-facing brands, Eric turned his sights to the fragrance industry. He launched PHLUR and from day one worked to build conscious capitalism into the organization’s value system. Balancing beautiful design with environmental impact, Eric is leading PHLUR to push the boundaries of imagination. He is a digital mastermind and an excellent human on a mission to positively impact the way we smell, live and experience.