Moda Métiers Visionaries Neri Sillaman

In this incredible episode, we are joined by seasoned professional and sustainability expert Ken Pucker. With a wealth of experience in the fashion industry, including serving as COO of Timberland, Ken offers a unique and knowledgeable perspective on the future of sustainable fashion. Whether you are looking to learn more about the challenges and opportunities in the industry, or simply want to hear from one of the most insightful voices in the field, this episode is a must-listen. So sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired by Ken's incredible knowledge and expertise.

Ken’s academic profile: https://globalbusiness.tufts.edu/experience/leadership-faculty/kenneth-pucker/

Ken’s HBR article on sustainable fashion: https://hbr.org/2022/01/the-myth-of-sustainable-fashion

Ken’s TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdF7nr2JQK0

You can also listen to Neri’s TEDx talk on sustainable fashion: https://www.ted.com/talks/a_five_step_recovery_program_for_sustainable_fashion

Welcome back to the Moda Metiers Visionaries podcast, season 2! This season, we're taking things up a notch, diving into the world of sustainable and impactful fashion. And, who better to kick off this exciting new chapter than our guest this month, Lisa D. Foster.

Lisa is a true trailblazer, starting her journey as a high school English teacher and transitioning to an eco-preneur with her first-to-market reusable grocery bag company, 1 Bag at a Time. As a pioneer in the fight against single-use plastic, Lisa quickly became a top supplier of reusable bags in the US. Today, Lisa shares her expertise in leadership and emotional intelligence as a business coach and author.

In this episode, Lisa takes us on a journey through her life as an ecopreneur, from the founding and growth of 1 Bag at a Time to her transition to coaching. She shares the motivation behind her memoir "Bag Lady" and the challenges she faced along the way.

Lisa also delves into the role of emotional intelligence and the Tipping Point formula in her success, as well as offering advice for those who may not have access to well-known networks. She explains how she incorporates sustainability into her coaching work and shares an example of a time when she helped a client improve their leadership and sustainability practices.

We also dive into the topic of effective communication of sustainability efforts, and Lisa provides invaluable advice for business leaders just starting to incorporate sustainability practices into their operations. And, she gives us a sneak peek into some of her upcoming projects related to emotional intelligence, leadership, and sustainability.

So, sit back, relax, and get ready to learn from one of the leading voices in the sustainable fashion space!

Listen to Neri Karra Sillaman’s TEDx talks on sustainable fashion:

https://www.ted.com/talks/a_five_step_recovery_program_for_sustainable_fashion

https://www.ted.com/talks/fry_in_your_own_oil_solving_fashion_s_sustainability_problem

Listen to Lisa D. Foster’s TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJGQzvo3C2M

Lisa’s book is called Bag Lady, and can be purchased here

You buy a pair of shoes that you love but over time you wear them out and they end up collecting dust in your closet because you think they’re no longer presentable. On the other hand, you don’t want to throw them out and aren’t sure what to do with them… 

Today’s episode brings you a close look at an untapped yet ready to be served industry. 

Neri sits down to talk with Emily Rea, the co-founder of The Restory, an on-demand service providing modern aftercare for luxury fashion.
At The Restory they are on a mission to empower the after care industry by bringing your favorite designer pieces back to life and making you fall in love with them all over again. Some of their partnerships include luxury brands such as Nicolas Kirkwood, Manolo Blahnik, Farfetch, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, and Harrods. 

Emily is a sustainability advocate. Her personal belief is that repair unlocks circular fashion and that after care can also be a luxury. She and her team have developed a very unique business model that promises to be the beginning of an after care tradition that is here to stay. 

“You just have to start! Every business pivots and you learn from things, and you change things. As soon as you decide not to change anything, that’s when you know that you're destined to fail so you have to be willing to constantly evolve and change”. - Emily Rea There are big plans for The Restory. 

From licensing to scaling, Emily tells it all! Throughout the episode, Neri and our guest talk about how the business started out of her house, how they plan to build their sustainable competitive advantage, how their partnerships enable the after care industry to grow, and more. 

Thank you for tuning in! If you haven't listened to episode 14 where Neri interviews B Corp expert Chris Marquis PhD, then go back and check it out!

In this episode, we cover:
-How The Restory was born.
-What future Emily sees for the after care industry.
-The role of technology in helping the repair industry scale.
-How to become a customer of The Restory.
-What a typical day looks like for her as fashion entrepreneur.

Resources and links mentioned during this episode:
-Visit www.the-restory.com to learn more about their services and business model and follow them on Instagram @therestory_.
-Neri is a published author! Read her book, Fashion Entrepreneurship: The Creation of the Global Fashion Business here!

Connect with Neri:
-Follow Neri on Instagram @nerikarraworld and @modametiers.
-Visit modametiers.com and check out our services, resources, and previous work.
-Enjoying what you hear? Follow and leave a review HERE.

Starting a luxury business can be challenging. It is common for new entrepreneurs to experience a wave of questions and self-doubt when starting out especially when they don’t have all the answers, resources, or experience.

So, how do you overcome this and build a successful business?

In today’s episode, Neri comes with 3 great tips for new entrepreneurs working on their luxury brands as well as advice on how to effectively scale their business.

She covers what you should focus on, the importance of networking, your main target buyers, how to know what makes you unique, and much more.

If you want to keep learning from and being inspired by successful entrepreneurs, don’t forget to tune into next week’s episode where Neri will be interviewing Emily Rea, co-founder of The Restory.

Thank you for tuning in! If you haven't listened to episode 14 where Neri interviews B-Corp and sustainability  expert - Chris Marquis, then go back and check it out!

Connect with Neri:
-Follow Neri on Instagram @nerikarraworld and @modametiers.
-Visit modametiers.com and check out our services, resources, and previous work.
-Enjoying what you hear? Follow and leave a review HERE.

Have you heard of the term B Corporations before?

According to bcorporation.net, certified B Corporations are leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.

B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.

To dig more into this topic with an expert on the field, today on the show, we welcome visionary Chris Marquis.

Chris is a professor at Cambridge Judge Business School. He previously worked at Cornell University Johnson College of Business and Harvard Business School. Marquis worked for six years in the financial services industry, most recently as vice president and technology manager for a business unit of J.P. Morgan Chase.

"Consumers are the key people to hold companies accountable for sustainability" - Chris Marquis.

Throughout this enlightening conversation, you will hear Neri and Chris discuss not only what it takes to become a B Corp but also the close relationship with the ESG framework, the effects of the war in Ukraine on sustainability, the different policies when it comes to sustainability around the world, and more.

Thank you for tuning in! If you haven't listened to episode 13 where Neri interviews Alexis Arragon and Florent Sroka on fashion, NFTs, and the Metaverse, then go back and check it out!

In this episode, we cover:
-What a B Corp is.
-How a company can measure sustainability.
-The impact of war on sustainability.
-Improving environmental sustainability in supply chains.
-How to be sustainable on a tight budget.

Resources and links mentioned during this episode:
-Connect with Chris via Linkedin and visit his website at www.chrismarquis.com.
-Check out Chris' book - Better Business: How the B Corp Movement Is Remaking Capitalism here!
-Neri is a published author! Read her book, Fashion Entrepreneurship: The Creation of the Global Fashion Business here!

Connect with Neri:
-Follow Neri on Instagram @nerikarraworld and @modametiers.
-Visit modametiers.com and check out our services, resources, and previous work.
-Enjoying what you hear? Follow and leave a review HERE.

What makes a brand feel authentic?

In our digital era, we’re constantly being bombarded with distractions, things we should be doing, ways we should be thinking, behaviors we should be adopting…so much so that such overload often leaves us craving authenticity and honesty even in the most mundane aspects of life.

All of this to say that finding a good quality product isn’t always enough. People look for genuine brands they feel comfortable consuming and being associated with. Brands they can relate to and that offer transparent experiences.

In today’s episode, Neri goes over a few questions from the audience. Learning to build an authentic brand being the most common one, she starts out by sharing a glimpse of a useful exercise she performs with her clients when it comes to identifying your authenticity.

Creating a compelling story is also part of this mix!

So, throughout the episode, you will hear Neri talk about how you can tell your brand story by using the power of storytelling as well as the steps to crafting your brand story.

This episode is loaded with practical information as Neri also covers the importance of stopping the comparison game and remaining grounded within ourselves, why letting go of external expectations is key to creating an authentic, unforgettable brand and more.

Thank you for tuning in! If you haven't listened to episode 13 where Neri talks about Practical Tips For Building a Successful Fashion Business, then go back and check it out!

Resources and links mentioned during this episode:
-Through her fashion business consultancy firm, Neri helps emerging and established designers find partners in the supply chain and manufacturing areas. Feel free to reach out for more details at modametiers.com/strategicbusinessconsultancy.
-Neri is a published author! Read her book, Fashion Entrepreneurship: The Creation of the Global Fashion Business here!

Connect with Neri:
-Follow Neri on Instagram @nerikarraworld and @modametiers.
-Visit modametiers.com and check out our services, resources, and previous work.
-Enjoying what you hear? Follow and leave a review HERE.