In this episode, I sit down with Jasper Eales — co-founder and creative director of Sealand Gear — to unpack the journey of one of South Africa’s most iconic sustainable brands.Sealand Gear is a proudly local business based in Cape Town, known for its world-class upcycled bags, apparel, and accessories. But behind the brand is a powerful story of resilience, purpose, and a deep commitment to sustainability.We dive into:- What it really means to build a sustainable business- How Sealand secured global certifications (after a 6-year process!)- The tough realities of scaling production while staying true to your values- The operational challenges of upcycling — and how they manage supply consistency- What it means to be a “Sealander” and build a values-driven company culture- And finally, what inspires Jasper to keep pushing this mission forwardThis one is for the builders who care about purpose and performance — and anyone curious about what it takes to scale a brand with integrity.

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This episode is brought to you by Metavolve.

Metavolve is a team of focused experts committed to helping entrepreneurs like you scale their businesses successfully. Reach out to our team to learn more: https://metavolve.co/

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00:00 Introduction

04:11 What Is Sealand?

06:30 The Founding Story of Sealand

22:03 How to Hire A-Players

29:34 Educating the Market Before We Could Sell

41:03 Transparency and Sustainability Reporting at Scale

51:15 Moving Away From D2C — and Then Returning

59:32 Selling Face Masks During COVID and the Impact It Had

01:04:47 Comparing Sealand’s Scale in 2021 vs. Today

01:12:32 The Biggest Challenges Sealand Has Overcome

01:28:30 The Main Challenges Sealand Is Currently Facing

01:33:46 The Future of Sealand and What Lies Ahead for Jasper

01:36:18 What Inspires Jasper

01:39:02 Reflection

How He Built a Business That Actually Helps the Planet - Jasper Eales, Sealand