My experience in sustainable design and business structure began when I traveled to India on an extended 30-day trip as a footwear designer. There I discovered the ramifications of what I call Shoe Waste, and its effects on the environment.
What resulted was a training course for small businesses (SMEs) to put them on the right track for sustainable design, development, and manufacturing. It also lead to a full network of business models and implementing strategies.
I also crafted the grant application and won a $10,000 grant for the Catalyst 2030 Fashion Waste Stream Group project.
Our project is to develop a toolkit for small to medium (SME) businesses to learn the basic understanding of sustainability and how the circular economy works while staying profitable.
I believe that the future of responsible manufacturing and consumption must start at the traditional education level.
Far too many businesses are registered without the guidance and understanding of sustainability (either from product waste or ethical organizational business models), circularity, or the green economy. Since my transition from fashion design products to conscious design products, I have seen an increasing interest in how to apply those elements into small business entrepreneurship.
From policy to advocacy, sustainable best practices and how to navigate the future of business has now become my specialty.
As an accomplished course designer, publisher and sustainable business consultant, I would like to have the opportunity to speak to your audience about sustainability and the future of design.