Brand on Purpose

King Arthur Baking Company co-CEOs Karen Colberg and Ralph Carlton discuss the employee-owned company’s unique structure and the benefits and challenges of leading together, which starts with a commitment to partnership. At 231 years old, the baking products company is constantly evolving, recently undergoing a full rebrand alongside a dramatic surge in demand during COVID-19 as thousands of novice bakers turned to the kitchen during lockdowns and social distancing. Karen and Ralph talk about the company’s massive growth over the past year, how B Corp goals align with King Arthur’s business goals, and the future of baking post-pandemic. Listen in to find out what their favorite King Arthur products are, and learn more at kingarthurbaking.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Dara Cothran, Lindsay Hand, Julie Strickland, Nina Valdes, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UnSun Founder Katonya Breaux opens up about creating an inclusive skincare and sunscreen brand that works for all skin colors, and the challenges of combating misconceptions in the Black community about sun damage. Spending the first 20 years of her career in the construction business, Katonya played a big role in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina – and never thought she’d end up in the cosmetics business. After a dermatologist visit and difficulty finding sunscreen that worked for her, Katonya met with a chemist to create a product just for herself; but after seeing how well it also worked on the varied skin tones of her sisters and cousins, she set out to build a business. Katonya and Aaron talk about her entrepreneurial journey, the importance of partnerships for a growing company, and what she would have done differently if she knew at founding what she knows now. Listen in to hear Katonya’s self-care routine and how she stays balanced, and learn more at unsuncosmetics.com.  Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Dara Cothran, Lindsay Hand, Julie Strickland, Nina Valdes, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greyston President & CEO Joe Kenner talks about the Yonkers, New York-based bakery’s unique Open Hiring model and incredible track record supporting and employing the underserved and unemployed local population. The first B Corp in New York State, Greyston uses a hiring model with no background checks and only a few basic questions, and the company’s Pathfinders help support Greyston employees and ensure their success – all of which has led the bakery to become one of Ben & Jerry’s top sellers. Joe and Aaron also discuss the importance of constantly asking how you can do better as a company, how the protests last June inspired Joe to double down on spreading the word about Greyston’s work, and how diversity and inclusion are built into the company. Tune in to hear about Joe’s first months in leadership after being appointed to his roles in April 2020 right after the onset of COVID-19, and learn more at greyston.org.  Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Dara Cothran, Lindsay Hand, Julie Strickland, Nina Valdes, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank You For Coming Out Founder and Executive Producer Dubbs Weinblatt talks about how their experience growing up in a reform synagogue impacted their identity and how their dedication to educating people on the nuances of LGBTQ identity inspired the founding of their improv group and podcast. Founded in 2015, Thank You For Coming Out offers a safe space for LGBTQIA+ storytellers and improvisers to share their vulnerable and heartfelt coming out stories. In today’s society, representation and visibility are so important for individuals who are discovering their sexual identities and orientations, and Dubbs offers their thoughts on how different life would’ve been if they had the right mentorship and guidance earlier in life. Tune in to hear more about Dubbs’ commitment to educating people on LGBTQ+ identities, why there must be a willingness to listen and learn, and how society plays a large role in coming out experiences. Learn more at thankyouforcomingout.com.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Dara Cothran, Lindsay Hand, Julie Strickland, Nina Valdes, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Uncommon Goods Founder & CEO Dave Bolotsky offers an inside look at the groundbreaking e-commerce company – one of the very first in the space at its founding in 1999, and one of the original purpose-driven companies. Now a certified B-Corp headquartered in Brooklyn, Uncommon Goods is an online marketplace to connect creators and their products with shoppers looking for truly unique goods. Through the longstanding Better to Give program, the company donates $1 for every purchase to select nonprofit partners, donating over $2 million to date. Dave and Aaron discuss this and more, including Dave’s childhood dream of becoming an entrepreneur, how today’s younger generations want to engage with companies that have a conscience, and why his people-first philosophy – including always paying above the minimum wage – is so important. Tune in to hear about the positive influences of being a fourth-generation resident of Manhattan’s diverse Lower East Side, and learn more at uncommongoods.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Dara Cothran, Lindsay Hand, Julie Strickland, Nina Valdes, Mathew Passy, and Michael Grubbs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reel Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer Derin Oyekan talks about how his experience growing up in Nigeria and seeing firsthand the effects of the lack of access to sanitation inspired the founding of his eco-friendly toilet paper startup. Launched in March 2019 and available on Amazon, Reel Paper is made of 100% bamboo and helps to reduce waste, encourage conscious consumerism, and help improve the quality of life for disadvantaged people around the world. Derin and Aaron discuss where the idea for the company came from, the biggest challenges with getting a purpose-driven business off the ground, and how even small changes in consumers’ daily lives can add up to a significant impact. Tune in to hear Derin’s thoughts on how the social justice wave is spreading from the U.S. across the world, and learn more at reelpaper.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Dara Cothran, Lindsay Hand, Julie Strickland, Nina Valdes, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

digitalundivided (DID) founder and former CEO Kathryn Finney talks about how the social enterprise supports Black and Latinx female entrepreneurs through data and resources. An Echoing Green fellow and Obama administration White House Champion of Change, Kathryn leverages her background in political science and epidemiology to spearhead innovative, systemic change in the business world. After the onset of COVID-19, Kathryn founded The Doonie Fund with a $10,000 personal donation, ultimately working with DID to provide over $150,000 worth of micro-investments to more than 1,500 Black women-owned businesses. Kathryn and Aaron also discuss what diversity and inclusion hires need in order for their roles to actually have an impact, the hope that Gen Z inspires for the future of leadership, and why we all have to get comfortable having uncomfortable conversations. Learn more at digitalundivided.com and kathrynfinney.com.  Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Dara Cothran, Lindsay Hand, Julie Strickland, Nina Valdes, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IFundWomen’s Director of Marketing Julia Steele discusses the barriers that women face within the entrepreneurial community and how the organization helps women overcome those barriers to ultimately launch and fund their own businesses. Julia delves into how her background in media and startups influenced her career path and explains the steps the that IFundWomen has taken to help break through the glass ceiling that still exists for many women entrepreneurs today. Aaron and Julia also talk about addressing the gender inequalities in the business community and shed light on the reasons women are continuously shut out of entrepreneurial spaces – and what we can do to change that. Tune in to hear more about the resources offered to women entrepreneurs through IFundWomen, and learn more at ifundwomen.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Dara Cothran, Lindsay Hand, Julie Strickland, Nina Valdes, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Belvedere Vodka CEO and President Rodney Williams discusses the company’s commitment to nature, supported by a mission to nourish and protect the planet – with a goal to generate 100% renewable energy for the distillery and surrounding businesses by 2025. As leader of the world’s first luxury vodka, Rodney shares his thoughts on how vodka can be a muse for craftsmanship, the unique natural and organic properties that define Belvedere’s product, and the importance of having vulnerable conversations at work. Tune in to hear more about Belvedere’s approach to sustainability and how refined vodka has become a canvas for artisanal quality, and learn more at belvederevodka.com.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Dara Cothran, Lindsay Hand, Julie Strickland, Nina Valdes, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

United By Blue Founder & CEO Brian Linton talks about how the organic and eco-friendly clothing and accessories retailer is leading the charge when it comes to sustainability innovation. A certified B Corp since 2011, Philadelphia-based United By Blue makes its products out of recycled and organic materials, removing one pound of trash from oceans and waterways for every product purchased – leading to over three million pounds of trash removed to date. Brian discusses the ways growing up in Asia influenced him as an entrepreneur, creating jobs during COVID-19 by setting up a grocery delivery program for seniors in the company’s home city, and his philosophy that ‘change comes in waves.’ Listen in to hear about United By Blue’s role in coordinating the Mission Brand Alliance to support similar mission-driven companies, and learn more at unitedbyblue.com.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Dara Cothran, Lindsay Hand, Julie Strickland, Nina Valdes, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices