Brand on Purpose

Aaron is joined by John Samuel, Co-Founder and CEO of Ablr, a digital accessibility and inclusion company supporting disabled individuals and the organizations that employ them. John walks Aaron through his own experience losing his vision from a degenerative eye condition and learning how few digital resources existed for people with vision impairments and other disabilities. He started Ablr with the goals of furthering digital accessibility, improving disability inclusion for companies and organizations, and creating employment pathways for individuals with disabilities. They discuss systematic barriers as well as technologies that have created change and improvement for the disabled community throughout the past few years, including rideshare apps and autonomous vehicles. Hear how proximity builds empathy by tuning into the episode and visit www.albr360.com to learn more. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Aaron is joined by Amy Peterson, CEO and Founder of Rebel Nell, to talk about what inspired her to launch the Detroit-based jewelry company focused on providing employment, equitable opportunity, and wraparound support for women with barriers to employment. Amy takes us through her career path, which began as a lawyer for the Detroit Tigers, as well as how getting the chance to meet with women staying at a local homeless shelter shifted her perspective on life. She also explains Rebel Nell’s process of creating art and jewelry out of things like graffiti, old sports stadiums and more. Tune in to hear about a truly inspiring company and learn more at www.rebelnell.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron sits down with CEO of CentralReach Chris Sullens to discuss CentralReach’s mission of leveraging technology to support individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Chris explains that 85% of adults with autism are unemployed and CentralReach is working to fix this through innovative digital assistive software. Aaron and Chris discuss how companies can develop more inclusive processes throughout their organization, why it’s difficult to get more companies to adopt the technology available to better serve this community, and how more resources should be put in place so that families and caretakers know what options are out there. Tune in for the full conversation and head to www.centralreach.com to learn more. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Aaron is joined by Erin Pash, Co-Founder and CEO of Ellie Mental Health, to talk about the importance of mental health services and how the company strives to make each session as comfortable and fun as possible. The mental health industry is full of barriers, and Ellie Mental Health has made it their goal to fill the gap and find innovative ways to break down these barriers for the communities they serve. The two also discuss Erin’s experience as a therapist in both clinical settings and how she helps people in her personal life. Tune in and visit www.elliementalhealth.com to learn more. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Brand on Purpose, Aaron talks to Nadya Okamoto, the CEO and Co-Founder of lifestyle period brand August. Nadya shares what made her passionate about the period care space and what she has learned from building a brand that is dedicated to making high-quality period care more accessible. Tune in to hear Nadya and Aaron discuss marketing in the attention economy, why social media can be a double-edged sword, and how purpose-led brands can create change throughout an entire industry. Head to www.itsaugust.co to learn more about August. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all hear how important it is to start saving young and consistently put money away for later in our lives. In this episode, Noah Kerner, CEO of Acorns, joins the show to talk about the company’s mission to look after the financial interests of the up-and-coming, beginning with the step of micro-investing. Noah and Aaron talk about the idea behind a feature of the app that rounds up every purchase you make to the nearest dollar and adds the difference to your portfolio, and why it makes investing more accessible. The two also discuss Noah’s background as underground DJ in New York’s East Village, even performing with Jennifer Lopez, and why his experiences led him to become a serial entrepreneur whose purpose is to “level the playing field.” Tune in to hear more about Noah and sign up to start investing at www.acorns.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonathan Webb, Founder and CEO of AppHarvest, joins the show to talk about the sustainable food company that is designed to grow non-GMO, chemical pesticide-free produce, using only recycled rainwater at some of the world’s largest indoor farms. Aaron and Jonathan discuss the major challenges we are facing when it comes to food shortages and why it’s so important to reduce the amount of water used in agriculture as quickly as possible. Jonathan also identifies Controlled Environment Agriculture as the third wave of sustainable infrastructure following renewable energies and electric vehicles, noting that the convergence of technologies like LED lighting, AI and robotics allows AppHarvest to optimize nature. Tune in to hear the full conversation and learn more about AppHarvest at www.appharvest.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Danny Ziolkowski, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chief Executive Officer at Reformation, Hali Borenstein, takes Aaron through her background in business, what she’s learned from being a leader in times of transition, and what being sustainable means in the fashion space. Hali explains how Reformation was created to be a catalyst for change in the fashion industry. The company constantly tries to improve its business practices, from having a D2C model that is responsive to consumer demand to emphasizing transparency by releasing quarterly sustainability reports. Hali and Aaron discuss what it takes to be a climate positive company and how they see the industry prioritizing sustainability going forward. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Danny Ziolkowski, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s our most joyful episode yet! Aaron is joined by Patrice Tanaka, Chief Joy Officer and founder of Joyful Planet, a business and life consultancy that helps individuals and organizations find and actively live their purpose. Patrice inspires us with her entrepreneurial spirit and looks back on her experience cofounding three award-winning PR and marketing agencies before starting Joyful Planet in 2016. The two discuss their shared passion for encouraging people to do what they love, as well as how Patrice first found her purpose of choosing joy in every single day during the wake of 9/11 and her husband’s fight with cancer. Tune in to hear more about our happiest guest yet and learn more about Joyful Planet at joyfulplanet.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Danny Ziolkowski, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shawn Nelson, CEO of Lovesac, started his furniture company by “getting off of the couch” and acting on a business idea he had just after graduating high school. In this episode, Shawn walks us through the ups and downs that turned Lovesac into one of the most popular furniture companies in the U.S. Aaron and Shawn talk about some of the unfortunate realities of our global economy and why companies must start creating products that are designed to last a lifetime to truly be sustainable. Tune in to hear the full conversation and learn more about Lovesac at https://www.lovesac.com/. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Danny Ziolkowski, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Aaron is joined by Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, to talk about how the powerful grassroots network of mothers is fighting for greater public safety measures to protect people from gun violence. The two discuss the impact of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed by Congress, and why it’s just one step in the right direction of a much longer journey to address gun violence in America. Shannon also recalls the outrage she felt after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012 and how Mothers Against Drunk Driving became an inspiration to build an “army of badass women” to drive real change. Tune in to hear more about Shannon’s story and learn more about Mom’s Demand Action at momsdemandaction.org. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Danny Ziolkowski, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-founders Walter and Norka Nimocks sit down with Aaron to talk about the founding and growth of Just Made, a tropical juice brand that is bringing the “secrets of the tropics” to the Unites States. The two share stories about what led them to launch Jude Made in 2016 after living and traveling around Latin America and being amazed by the flavors and superior health benefits of the unique fruits. Walter and Norka also discuss why they’ve made it a priority to be “just” with their farmers and donate 5¢ per bottle sold to support local schools, teachers and students in rural Latin America and the Caribbean. Tune in to hear more about their story and learn more at justmade.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Danny Ziolkowski, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises Lisa Lutoff-Perlo talks about her path in the cruising industry and Celebrity Cruises’ commitment to social justice, sustainability, and inclusivity. Lisa shares how running a cruise ship is like running a micro-city, with people from all around the world coming together to enjoy the experience. Because of this, she finds it extremely important to emphasize the company’s values across everything from sustainable business practices, prioritizing women in leadership, and working with partners that she respects. Tune in to hear Aaron and Lisa talk through how Celebrity Cruises has changed throughout Lisa’s career and her efforts to stop people from saying that cruising isn’t for them. Learn more and book a cruise at celebritycruises.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Danny Ziolkowski, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Aaron is joined by Who Gives a Crap’s Head of Impact, Robin Cho, and International Development Enterprise’s (iDE) VP of Communications and Marketing, Katherine Koch. Who Gives a Crap makes eco-friendly toilet paper and paper towels, donating 50% of all profits toward efforts to see a world where everyone has access to the basic rights of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). IDE is a global non-profit organization that empowers entrepreneurs to end poverty by engaging with businesses that help build communities. Robin, KC and Aaron discuss the partnership the two organizations have made to improve WASH across the globe, why access to toilets are so critical to public health and safety, and what it means to build long term market systems that support sanitation. Listen in and learn more by visiting us.whogivesacrap.org and www.ideglobal.org. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Danny Ziolkowski, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Pernod Ricard SVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Pam Forbus, sits down with Aaron to talk about responsible marketing within the alcohol and spirits industry, as well as engaging with important topics like hate speech, consent and voting in brand messaging. As a worldwide wine and spirits manufacturer creating Absolute Vodka, Avion Tequila, Jameson and more, Pernod Ricard considers themselves an ‘unlocker of human connection’ and understands the role marketing plays in creating safe drinking environments for everyone. The two also talk about Pam’s time at the Walt Disney Studio and Pepsi Co., sharing insights about employee engagement and the process of utilizing data to become a consumer-centric company. Tune in to hear Pam’s favorite spirits and learn more at www.pernod-ricard.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Danny Ziolkowski, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fixer Founder and former GrubHub Co-Founder Mike Evans takes us through his goal of rejuvenating the trade education system in America, building his business as a lever for social change by empowering employees and what he learned about purpose in his time at GrubHub. Mike talks about the issues of the ‘gig economy’ and why Fixer is committed to training employees to be full-time handy people. Fixer started as a few of Mike’s friends getting paid to do jobs for other friends and has grown into an online network for home repair across five major U.S. markets. To close out, Aaron and Mike have a valuable conversation about the people he met and the diners he stopped in along his 2014 cross-country bike trip from Virginia to Oregon. Tune in to hear about why rebuilding the trades economy has become Mike’s passion and learn more at fixer.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Danny Ziolkowski, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TerraCycle Founder & CEO Tom Szaky shares the misconceptions around recycling, how he started innovative recycling company TerraCycle, and what lead to the creation of the Loop platform. For Tom, entrepreneurship was a passion from the beginning and he was committed to creating a business that sits at the intersection of profit and purpose. In the episode, Aaron and Tom discuss the anomalies in the recycling industry, the major turning point for TerraCycle, and how the company turns non-recyclable pre-consumer and post-consumer waste into raw materials that can be used in new products. Tune in to hear why Tom loves garbage so much and learn more at terracycle.com and exploreloop.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vermont Creamery President Adeline Druart talks about her experience growing up in France, her love for dairy products and how she worked her way up the professional ladder at Vermont Creamery. Growing up with dairy farmers as grandparents, Adeline was a cheese expert from the beginning. With the help of a good friend to translate English for Adeline, she moved from France to Vermont to intern at Vermont Creamery as a cheesemaker. In the episode, Aaron and Adeline discuss the company’s commitment to sustainability, some key business learnings stemming from the pandemic, and how Vermont Creamery paved the way as a pioneer of the artisan cheese movement. Tune in to hear Adeline’s favorite type of cheese and learn more at vermontcreamery.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Canada Goose Chief Marketing & Experience Officer, Penny Brook, discusses the core brand ethos for Canada Goose, the brand’s commitment to supporting underrepresented communities, and how Canada Goose is making a difference in sustainable fashion. Helping customers find the warmth they seek since 1957, Canada Goose has grown from a single warehouse in Toronto into a global company and leader in performance luxury apparel. Aaron and Penny talk about the brand’s commitment to carbon neutrality, their association with pop culture, and the company’s plans to go fur-free by the end of 2022. Tune in to hear Penny reveal her favorite Canada Goose products and learn more at canadagoose.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charity Miles Founder Gene Gurkoff discusses his career as an attorney, the inspiration behind the Charity Miles app and the importance of staying active. To honor his grandfather who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Gene began running marathons to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. From there, Gene was inspired to create a platform that enabled people to turn their physical activity into money for charity. In the episode, Aaron and Gene discuss the app that was created before Charity Miles, how Gene chooses the charities that they work with, and how mental health plays a large role in his life. Listen in to hear a sneak peek of Gene’s new app and learn more at charitymiles.org. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices