ON Liz' Vision for the World:  where people feel comfortable enough to be who they are and still have the opportunity to succeed in areas that they want. (3:08)  ON The the mission of Ability People (TAP): to create meaningful employment for people with disabilities, by removing as many unnecessary barriers as possible (5:03)  ON Hiring people with disabilities and opportunities for businesses and companies (12:23)  ON The employment challenge for people with disabilities (16:49)  ON Liz personal journey with her disability (23:49)  ON  Liz fighting for herself and her elite swimming career (28:14)  ON Transition from swimming to launching her business (34:34)  ON Lessons learned (38:09)  ON Definition of success for TAP (41:08)  ON PODIUM by TAP a revolutionary marketplace that connects freelancers and businesses (45:25)  ===========CONNECT WITH Liz JohnsonThe Ability People TAP: https://www.theabilitypeople.com/===========MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:Hidden Figures ===========Check out Liz' swimming achievements on Wikipedia===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic

Mindful Business Founder

Tapping Into The Potential Of The Skilled Disability Population for Businesses and Companies by Liz Johnson

Definition of success can change over time:(2:33) David Nebinski(4:02) Bai ZahmriSuccess is beyond Founders' personal goals, it's more about connection, about adding value to the lives of others, inspiring others to do things differently:(5:03) Shivani Patel(5:59) Nan & Carl(8:20) Pola  Stępień(8:40) Bai Zahmri(9:10) Ihita ShandilyaOn  privilege, freedom, and exploration of new possibility:(10:04) Mati Ventrillon(10:46) Pola  Stępień(11:44) Josie MackenzieOn the sustainability components in the business created:(16:07) Ihita Shandilya(16:50) Bai Zahmri(10:03) Josie MackenzieOn being lean, on growing, and being close to the core of what the brand stands for:(20:39) Jennifer Myers Chua(22:51) Mati Ventrillon===========CONNECT WITH DAVID NEBINSKIDavid is the host of Portfolio Career Podcast: https://www.portfoliocareerpodcast.com/===========CONNECT WITH BAI ZAHMRIBai is the Founder of Nazkids https://www.mynazkids.com/===========CONNECT SHIVANI PATELShivani is the Founder of Arture https://myarture.com/===========CONNECT WITH NAN & CARLNan & Carl are the Founders of  Seeker x Retriever https://www.seekerxretriever.com/===========CONNECT WITH POLA STEPIENPola is the Founder of  MODAPOLKA https://modapolka.com/===========CONNECT WITH IHITA SHANDILYAIhita is the Founder of  MithilaSMITA https://www.mithilasmita.com/===========CONNECT WITH MATI VENTRILLONMati is the Founder of  Mati Ventrillon  https://www.mativentrillon.co.uk/===========CONNECT WITH JOSIE MACKENZIEJosie is the Founder of  AMMA Sri Lanka https://www.ammasrilanka.com/===========CONNECT WITH JENNIFER MYERS CHUAAt HIP MOMMIES: https://hipmommies.ca/Buy products that are useful, well-made, thoughtfully designed that are responsibly from suppliers that are good people, supporting good causes, and that are doing business ethically Jennifer's podcast: COST OF GOODS SOLD===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic

When Mission-driven Business Founders Discuss Success

(episode notes with timestamps - coming soon)===========CONNECT WITH JENNIFER MYERS CHUAAt HIP MOMMIES: https://hipmommies.ca/Buy products that are useful, well-made, thoughtfully designed that are responsibly from suppliers that are good people, supporting good causes, and that are doing business ethically Jennifer's podcast: COST OF GOODS SOLD===========BRANDS MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:EZPZGATHREWOBBEL===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic 

Growing a Wholesale Business With Values by Jennifer Myers Chua

(episodes with timestamps - coming soon)===========CONNECT WITH David NebinskiWeb: https://www.portfoliocareerpodcast.com/===========MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:The Podcasting Workshop===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic

Practicing Empathy and Gratitude with David Nebinski

(with timestamps - coming soon)===========The Manifesto for Quiet DisruptorsHave you noticed? We’re shifting from one era to the next.From the modern, industrial age where there were linear and predictable answers, to a complex, interconnected and volatile world. Where what we do affects who others become and impacts our whole environment, without us fully realising it.We need different voices. People with fresh things to say who don’t need to shout.Not just super-heroes with confident gestures. Nor the loud, always-on culture, with quick answers that offer attractive sticking plasters, yet fail to see what comes next or why we are doing it anyway.But the thoughtful and creative change-makers who look from the edge and craft their responses, who want to make a difference, differently. Not just for today.Because more of the same won’t do.So now is our time to shift the conversation by becoming the change we want to see. Owning our voice, finding the others and having the courage to speak softly about things that matter.Because only people make change. And change emerges with those who have the courage to be different:who think before they speak;who ask questions we’d sometimes rather not face;who create solutions we hadn’t expected;who see more from the edge, than the centre, and make connections that surprise us;who are driven to make a difference, but want to do it differently, with grace;who get their energy from calm reflection, beautiful ideas, and taking the long view;who exercise kindness, generosity and stubborn courage in pursuing a different way of looking, being and doing that can turn our world upside down – for the better.It’s time for the new change-makers. The quiet disruptors with the courage to speak softly about things that matter.Sue HeatheringtonThe WatersideNovember 2020===========CONNECT WITH Sue Heatherington / Quiet DisruptorsWeb: https://quietdisruptors.com/Daily poetry: https://sueheatherington.com/twitter @SueWaterside===========MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:University of East AngliaSusan CainSimon SinekPatagonia "DON'T BUY THIS JACKET"Josie Mackenzie / AMMA Sri Lanka? ? episode with Josie Mackenzie ===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic

Quiet Disruptors: Creating Change Without Shouting by Sue Heatherington

EPISODE NOTES(with timestamps - coming soon)===========CONNECT WITH Shivani Patel / ARTUREWeb: https://myarture.com/Instagram: @arturedesign ===========MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:National Institute of Fashion TechnologyCHENNAI: city in South of India where ARTURE is locatedINDIEGOGO: crowdfunding platform===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic 

Creating Change with Arture and Using Cork As An Alternative To Leather by Shivani Patel

(with timestamps - coming soon)===========CONNECT WITH Josie Mackenzie / AMMA Sri LankaWeb: https://www.ammasrilanka.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amma_srilanka/  ===========MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:Central St MartinsKANDY: the second city of Sri LankaOfficial languages in Sri Lanka: Tamil and SinhalaNuwara Eliya, where AMMA is located in Sri LankaColombo, the capital city of Sri LankaGood Market TRAID UKFIBERSHED===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic

Providing Training and Employment to Mothers through Sustainable Jobs within the Textile Industry by Josie Mackenzie

ON Malaysia, its lush forests and Bai’s future vision for the world  (2:43)  ON the reason why Bai created Nazkids, a social business that provides jobs for women and particularly mothers in Jitra, Kedah (4:30)  ON providing training as the hiring process of the makers (8:27)  ON how Bai created a new category in baby clothing by developing Malay traditional outfits for babies’ Aqiqah and how it landed in the hands of celebrities and royal families (10:02)  ON the power of the pictures to launch the brand (12:11)  ON why it is so important to build the brand first (13:44)ON Bai leaving a corporate career to start her own company (15:02)  ON losing most of her savings and bootstrapping (17:10) ON the philosophy behind training programs, why Nazkids focuses on training even if the women do not end up working with the business (20:23)  ON the longer vision: to provide business training so the women can start their own business (22:41)ON Bai’s definition of success: how many people Bai can bring to achieve greater things in life (24:50)ON why Bai decided to register her company on Dec 12, 2012 (26:40)  ON challenges and learnings from running a social business (27:53)ON where you can find Nazkids and the new products launching since the start of the pandemic (beyond masks!!!) (29:33)  ===========CONNECT WITH Bai / NazKidsWeb : www.mynazkids.comInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/nazkids/  Shopee in Malaysia :- http://shopee.com.my/starzgate23 (or search for Nazkids)Shopee in Singapore :- https://shopee.sg/starzgate23 (or search for Nazkids)Lazada in Malaysia :- https://www.lazada.com.my/shop/nazkids (or search for Nazkids)===========MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:Jitra KedahRainforest in MalaysiaAqiqah or AkikahKuala Lumpur===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic

Creating a New Category in Fashion and Empowering Women with Baby Clothing by Bai Ahmad Zahmri

ON Madhubani Paintings also known as Mithila Paintings, an Ancient Art Form practiced by Women  (2:59)  ON Ihita’s late Grandmother using this form of Art as a tool to bring a change in this part of the world (4:24)ON learnings from spending childhood at Grandmother’s NGO (4:53)ON the realization of the challenges of being women and continuing the work of her Grandmother (5:55)ON looking for more sustainable sources of revenue (8:18)ON the idea of evolving from an NGO to a Social Enterprise in order to help the system support the artisans in a way that they support our existence on this planet (9:07)  ON adding value and meaning to corporate gifting (10:25)  ON using artisans work onto fashion items (12:16)  ON the challenges of switching from NGO model to a social business model & change of mindset (15:19)  ON a hybrid model to support the vision (19:03) ON MITHILAsmita international expansion (21:00)  ON Ihita definition of success: creating a system that holds the vision of creating sustainable livelihood for artisans and their creativity (22:45)  ON Ihita’s vision of the world for her children: knowledge and appreciation of traditional art forms as the expression of timeless beauty and emotion (24:29)  ON MITHILAsmita near future development: international expansion  (26:48) ===========CONNECT WITH Ihita ShandilyaMITHILAsmita: https://www.mithilasmita.com/Connect on WhatsApp: +91 9901187800 BUY from MITHILAsmita: ArtnHer https://www.artnher.com/===========MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:Madhubani is a town municipality and headquarter of Madhubani district. Madhubani is situated in the Indian state of Bihar.Mithila PaintingsACUMEN fellowship UN Women Empowerment Principles award===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic

Ihitashri Shandilya on Preserving the Heritage Art Form of Mithila Paintings (Madhubani Paintings)

How can we build a creative business that delivers value to people and to the planet? What does it EVEN mean to be or to become BETTER for a fashion business? I’ve been exploring and experimenting with these issues for almost 20 years now. And today we are facing some really really big challenges but it also means that we have amazing opportunities ahead of us to build a BETTER BUSINESS in the fashion industry. And I believe that there are many different ways we can achieve that. Hi everyone, Welcome to Better Business Founder I’m your host, Leekei Tang, On this podcast, we will explore what it means and what we can do to make our BUSINESS even BETTER, because Better doesn’t have the same meaning for everyone. Some episodes of this podcast will be conversations with mission-driven founders in creative industries, just like you, that are sharing their journey of building their own Better Business. Sometimes it will be conversations with people that are teaching us a concept or a new idea. And sometimes, I’ll be just talking to you. And Together we will learn and grow, so we can challenge the status quo with intention, and ignite change, right now. Because guess what? Your Business is the CATALYST to Create the Change You want to see in the world Better Business Founder is the podcast for purpose-driven business founders that are seeking to build a Better business, on their own terms. You can subscribe now wherever you normally find your podcasts and invite some friends that would benefit from these conversations. Take care and talk to you very soon

Better Business Founder - Trailer

Today, for our last episode of 2020, I am absolutely thrilled to share my conversation with Scott Perry. Scott is the Founder and Chief Difference Maker of Creative on Purpose, a community and a coaching program that gets you stepping into possibility with intention and integrity. And we will learn more about what it means and what it implies in our discussion. Scott is also in the Head Coach Team in Seth Godin’s Akimbo workshops. Scott believes that excellence is cultivated through work that enhances the lives of others. I wanted to have Scott on Mindful Business Founder podcast for some time and the launch of his new book, Onward, makes it the perfect occasion to hear Scott talk about taking action, creativity, some principles of the Stoic Philosophy and why is it crucial to be surrounded by fellow travelers in our difference-making journey. I learned some very actionable tips from Scott on how to improve my work and better serve my community. I really enjoyed my conversation with Scott and I hope that you will enjoy it too.

Making Change Happen With Intention and Integrity by Scott Perry

Host: Leekei TangContact: podcast (at) themindfulfounder.comMusic credits: Mister Sunny Face by Wayne Jones / Blue Skies by Silent Partner / Happy Ukulele by Scott Holmes

My Journey to Becoming a Mindful Business Founder (Host on mic)

ON Nan's  (2:54)  ON Carl's (3:24)  ON who Seeker x Retriever is for (3:58)  ON Seeker x Retriever brand philosophy (4:54)  ON finding the weaving community in Chaeson Lampang Province (6:20)  ON the first encounter with the weavers (8:27)  ON the meaning of Seeker x Retriever (11:06)  ON working with the tailor (12:46)  ON working with the weavers (15:05)ON why they also offer made-to-order (17:01)ON  human collaboration as a core value of Seeker x Retriever (18:56)  ON waiting in today’s fast-paced world (22:03)  ON explaining the brand philosophy to sell to customers (23:10)  ON scaling up or down? (27:03)  ON the definition of success (29:06)  ON not working with too many stockists and on finding your tribe  (32:11)  ON the joys of working as a married couple (33:27)  ON not having experience in fashion is an advantage in the current fashion system (35:15) ===========CONNECT WITH Nan and CarlSEEKER x RETRIEVER: https://www.seekerxretriever.com/ IG / FB===========WHERE ARE THE ARTISANS THAT MAKE THE CLOTHES:CHAE SON NATIONAL PARK (LAMPANG) in THAILANDBAGRU VILLAGE RAJASTHAN in INDIA ===========Host: Leekei TangContact: podcast (at) themindfulfounder.comMusic credits: Mister Sunny Face by Wayne Jones / Blue Skies by Silent Partner / Happy Ukulele by Scott Holmes

Seeker x Retriever, Building a Fashion Brand to Find Your Tribe with Nan and Carl

Growing up in Poland (2:05)Pessimism on the current environmental outlooks (3:43)  Why launching a fashion brand is Pola’s way of taking action and of spreading her message (4:54)  The Narciso collection, made with vintage fabrics dated back from the 90s (7:22)  Łódź and its textile industry history (10:00)  The urban Nomad collection,made with Polish denim dated back from the 80s (11:44)  Fashion Design as a branch of Product Design (13:48)  How Pola launched her first collection (15:15)  Why Pola sells her collection directly to clients (17:37)  Łódź Design Festival (18:22)  “I want to focus on the ergonomics. My clothes, most of all wearable and comfortable and made with sophisticated tailoring techniques” (19:25)  “My goal is to improve the quality of life with my brand” (21:52)  How Pola defines success (22:29)  Learnings from failures (24:28)  Trade-offs to be made and moral dilemmas (25:32)  The joys of running her brand (28:11)  ===========CONNECT WITH Pola StępieńMODAPOLKA: https://modapolka.com/en/shop/IG / FB===========MENTIONED  IN THIS EPISODEPolish former industrial city of ŁódźThe Film The Promised Land (1975) by  Andrzej WajdaŁódź Design Festival===========Host: Leekei TangContact: podcast (at) themindfulfounder.comMusic credits: Mister Sunny Face by Wayne Jones / Blue Skies by Silent Partner / Happy Ukulele by Scott Holmes

Bridging the Past and the Future with a Fashion Brand by Pola Stępień

Julia’s cross-country education and experiences (1:59)  How Julia’s brand is connected to her personal vision (2:43)  How Julia Skargeth brand started in Asia (4:30)  How launching a Kickstarter campaign led Julia to ... take over a factory in Indonesia (10:00) A crisis is a chance to grow and to get better (12:36)Why Julia relocated production in Europe and restarting the brand (13:28)On transparency as part of the brand storytelling (18:00)Julia’s creative process on the fringe of the traditional fashion calendar (24:02)Brand’s further developments (27:12)What brings joy to Julia from her business (28:51)===========TO CONNECT WITH JULIAJulia Skergeth website: https://www.juliaskergeth.com/en/welcome/On Instagram: skergeth_official===========Host: Leekei TangContact: podcast (at) themindfulfounder.comMusic credits: Mister Sunny Face by Wayne Jones / Blue Skies by Silent Partner / Happy Ukulele by Scott Holmes  

Building a Successful Handbag Brand Fresh from College by Julia Skergeth

This is Mindful Business Founder, the podcast for Fashion Business Founders seeking to build a meaningful and profitable business. Being MINDFUL is an attitude, and with this podcast I’m hoping to inspire (fashion) business owners to be more mindful of the consequences of their actions and of their decisions. We will explore what Mindful Founders do differently to build resilient businesses that deliver value to people and to the planet. We will learn from their guiding principles and from their experience. We will be talking to fashion business founders and also founders from other industries. You have launched our own business, so you have the power to create significant changes in the world we live in. Tune in, if you are looking to improve the balance between purpose and profit in your fashion business.

hubhopper

Mindful Business Founder

hubhopper