Tales to Inspire Krish Patel

In this bite size episode with Adam Bastock, we dive into the concept of sustainability in business. Adam shares insights on what sustainability means to him and how it encompasses more than just environmental concerns. It’s about ensuring businesses thrive financially, operationally, and environmentally over the long term. Key Discussion Points: Defining Sustainability: Sustainability is not just about environmental impact but also financial stability. It’s crucial for businesses to operate in a way that ensures their existence in the next 5, 10, or 15 years. Immediate and Long-term Actions: Addressing short-term pressures with quick actions is vital. Setting and achieving marketing goals that ensure profitability and success over the next year and beyond. Public Understanding and Education: Many people are still unclear about terms like “plastic” and the benefits of reducing single-use plastics. Effective storytelling can drive better understanding and adoption of sustainable practices. Making Sustainability Relatable: Relating sustainability to daily life and individual benefits can increase engagement. Marketing missions should highlight the personal benefits of sustainable practices. Challenges in Education: Traditional climate change education methods may not be engaging enough. Inspirational and practical education, like highlighting the impacts of sustainable choices, can be more effective. Responsibility and Action: Individuals and businesses both have a role to play in sustainability. Understanding the scale of the issue is crucial, but action is equally important. Supply Chain Transparency: Visibility into the supply chain can help consumers and businesses make informed decisions. Case study examples, such as a Norwegian supermarket reducing emissions by adjusting their receipts, demonstrate the impact of transparency. Economic Considerations: Economic factors, such as the ability to provide for one’s family, play a significant role in how sustainability is approached. Solutions need to be practical and economically viable for individuals and businesses alike. Call to Action: Reflect on what sustainability means to you and your business. Consider immediate actions you can take to address sustainability challenges. Explore ways to make sustainability relatable and beneficial to your daily life and business operations. Resources: https://thebetterbusiness.network/ https://small99.co.uk/

Welcome back Hannah Cox from the Better Business Network for her second episode on Tales to Inspire. Listen to or read about Hannah’s first episode here. Episode Highlights: Early Passion for Sustainability: Hannah’s eco-conscious journey began in childhood, fundraising for animal rights and continued through university. Transformative Experience: A trip to Bhutan deepened her commitment to making a positive impact on the world. Business Sustainability: Hannah explains that true sustainability goes beyond environmental concerns, encompassing employee well-being and societal impact. Misconceptions Addressed: Sustainability is not just a checklist; it must be integrated into the core of a business. It's about more than just environmental efforts. Critique of Capitalism: Highlights the flaws in assuming infinite growth on a finite planet and points out significant issues like food waste and air pollution. Better Not Stop: Inspired by a conversation with her dying father, Hannah started her business in a spare room and grew it through the kickstart scheme. B Corp Certification: Helps companies achieve this rigorous certification, ensuring they operate for the benefit of all stakeholders. Better Business Network: Originated from an accountability group, now a nationwide community driving significant change in sustainability. Join Us: Help fix the broken system. The Better Business Network offers support for businesses focused on social and environmental impact. Together, we can make a difference.  https://betternotstop.com/

In this bite size episode with Tales to Inspire we reconnect with past ambassador Hannah Cox who shares snippets of her journey from a conventional job to a purpose-driven career focused on sustainability. After transformative travels in 2018-2019, Hannah became passionate about making a difference in the world. She discusses the misconceptions about sustainability and how businesses of all sizes can integrate sustainable practices into their operations. Episode Highlights: Journey to Purpose: Hannah's shift from a traditional job to sustainability advocacy. The travel experiences that sparked her commitment to making a difference. Misconceptions About Sustainability: Challenging the idea that sustainability is a separate department in business. Emphasising sustainability as a core element in all business operations. Beyond Environmental Impact: Redefining sustainability to include employee well-being and ethical practices. The importance of treating staff well for a truly sustainable business.  Business Approaches to Sustainability: How small, medium, and large companies can implement sustainable practices. Assessing current business knowledge and practices regarding sustainability. Empowering Communities: The intersection of sustainability and economic challenges in communities. Encouraging individuals to contribute to sustainability within their means. Resources:   

Introduction: Join us as we delve into the remarkable tale of Bea Thackeray, a visionary artist and sustainability advocate whose journey is as inspiring as her creations. From her humble beginnings as a child with a passion for art to her role as the founder of Keep this Cracker, Bea's story is a testament to the power of creativity and sustainability. Childhood Dreams and Artistic Awakening: Explore Bea's early years spent immersed in art and creativity. Learn how her passion for art paved the way for her future endeavors. Discover the pivotal moments that shaped her artistic identity, from her time at the Harrow School of Art to her career with The Body Shop. The Birth of Keep this Cracker: Uncover the inspiration behind Bea's innovative creation, Keep this Cracker. Hear about Bea's journey from concept to reality, including the design process and the challenges she faced along the way. Learn about the sustainable principles that guide Keep this Cracker and how Bea's commitment to the environment drives her business decisions. Empowering Change Through Creativity: Gain insight into Bea's philosophy of using creativity as a force for good. Discover how Bea's passion for sustainability extends beyond her business and influences her personal life. Be inspired to make a positive impact on the world through creativity and sustainable living, just like Bea. Bea Thackeray's story is a testament to the transformative power of art, creativity, and sustainability. As we conclude our journey through her remarkable tale, we're reminded that each of us has the potential to make a difference in the world, one creative endeavour at a time. Resources: Keep This Cracker: https://keepthiscracker.com/ Better Business Network: https://thebetterbusiness.network/ Tales to Inspire Newsletter: https://talestoinspire.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=447519f0c1de5902c25e6d3bc&id=5e99053e86    

Join us for an enlightening bite size episode on sustainability and design as we delve into the fascinating world of eco-conscious innovation with Bea Thackeray, a passionate advocate for sustainable practices and purpose-driven design. Why Sustainability Matters: Bea shares her personal journey and deep-rooted commitment to sustainability. For her, it's not just about her background; it's a profound sense of responsibility towards the products we create and their impact on the planet. From the materials we use to the end-of-life disposal, Bea emphasises the importance of mindful design and resource utilisation. Embracing Change: With governments increasingly banning single-use plastics and a growing public consciousness, Bea sees a shifting tide towards sustainability. She highlights the need for a mindset change, advocating for products that are not only durable but also repairable—a stark contrast to our throwaway culture. The Quest for Purpose: As a designer, Bea constantly seeks opportunities to innovate and improve. She believes in the power of design thinking to address complex challenges and drive positive change. From problem-solving in design training to fostering collaboration within the industry, Bea explores the role of micro-businesses and individuals in driving sustainable solutions. Building Collaborative Communities: Bea underscores the importance of collaboration and partnership in advancing sustainability goals. She argues that micro-businesses have a unique advantage in adapting and experimenting with new ideas, paving the way for innovative solutions and meaningful impact. Towards a Sustainable Future: In closing, Bea encourages us to embrace optimism and seize the opportunity for change. By aligning our values and purpose, she believes we can collectively build a better, more sustainable future for generations to come. Resources: Keep this Cracker: https://keepthiscracker.com/ Better Business Network: https://thebetterbusiness.network/  

“We are human beings, not human doings” In this episode of Tales to Inspire, we delve into the remarkable journey of Pete Barty, a man who has navigated through life's challenges with courage, resilience, and a deep commitment to personal growth. From his early days as a civil engineer to his transformative experiences as a fundraiser, explorer, and now, a therapist, Pete's story is one of profound introspection and self-discovery. Facing Adversity: Pete's life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with primary bone cancer in his shoulder. This life-altering diagnosis, delivered with solemn gravity by his healthcare team, plunged Pete into a period of uncertainty and introspection. The ensuing surgery and rehabilitation left him grappling with physical pain and emotional turmoil, prompting his first encounter with mental health challenges. Navigating Mental Health Challenges: During his recovery, Pete found himself confronting profound questions about mortality and purpose. Struggling to reconcile his identity as an engineer with the complexities of his situation, he sought solace in therapy. Through candid conversations and support from loved ones and healthcare professionals, Pete began to navigate the intricate terrain of mental health, discovering resilience and coping mechanisms along the way. A Journey of Exploration and Self-Discovery: Motivated by a desire to give back and find meaning in his experiences, Pete embarked on a series of ambitious expeditions and fundraising endeavors, including climbing Kilimanjaro, completing the London Marathon, and trekking to the Mount Everest base camp. These experiences not only raised vital funds for charity but also served as crucibles for personal growth and introspection, challenging Pete to confront his fears and limitations. Embracing Change and Finding Purpose: As Pete transitioned into retirement from his engineering career, he confronted yet another period of upheaval and introspection. Wrestling with the loss of identity and social stability, he embarked on a transformative journey to Mississippi, where he confronted buried emotions and embraced the power of vulnerability. This pivotal moment catalyzed Pete's journey towards self-acceptance and renewal, propelling him towards a new vocation as a therapist. Pete Barty's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of self-discovery. Through adversity and exploration, he has emerged as a beacon of hope and inspiration, embodying the essence of what it means to be human – to learn, to grow, and to embrace life's infinite possibilities. Resources: https://talestoinspire.com/ https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/