ORIO‪N‬ ORION

Success came early in David Ferran’s career. At the age of 23 he raised his first million dollars in venture capital. By the time he turned 33 he had bought his first public company and by his 40th birthday he had taken his fist company public with an IPO on the NASDAQ.
For nearly four decades David Ferran worked, played and fought with Venture Capital investors, Private Equity investors and Wall Street analysts. Having been President, CEO and or Chairman of three publicly traded companies gave David an inside view of how Capitalism really works in America. Founding seven companies of his own gave him a chance to understand the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs.
These days, David Ferran is committed to creating and empowering a new generation of Conscious Entrepreneurs while also seeking to impact the flow of global investment capital towards more socially responsible businesses and conscious business leaders.

Tom Dadourian, crowdfunding expert, CMO of LaunchBoom, and Tom of Tom's Finds, joins ORION to discuss why sharing knowledge and resources is key to growth. Tom's entrepreneurial journey and goals are rooted in sharing knowledge to solve problems.

James, founder of Opolis Optics, spent the last decade living and working on every corner of the world for The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other international NGOs. From Asia to the Middle East and all across Africa, James helped to build and expand programs that addressed gender and economic inequality, agricultural value chains, climate change, and biodiversity protection policies. ​
All of this allowed James to see the magnificent beauty of the world first hand; the sights, the people, the cultures. However, the images of violence, poverty, pollution and abandonment he saw have stayed with him too. That's what Opolis is born out of. The beauty and despair James experienced around the world inspired him to create a brand with a soul; a company that's able to uplift and benefit the communities (and the unsung heroes) he met along the way; a lifestyle that would take his love for travel, culture, photography, the environment and adventure, and use it to have a positive impact.
And so it happened. James left his old life behind and created Opolis Optics, a sunglasses brand on a mission to help those in need, while shedding light on the beauty and afflictions both people and the planet endure every day.

New York native Elizabeth wanted to answer a simple question: “how and by whom are the goods we consume made?”
 
After two years in the Merchandising Department at Coach, she packed her bags and traveled to Laos. She was without a plan, but prepared. Upon arrival in Vientiane she began knocking on the doors of local women-based textile businesses. She was on a mission to understand how local, sustainable crafts made by women could be plugged into the global fashion market. Recognizing that market linkage and design are major constraints on artisans, she founded ARTICLE 22 when she met artisans in a rural village melting US bombs into spoons. Having studied History at Williams College and Oxford University, she was beguiled by her lack of awareness of the Secret War in Laos 1963-1974 which left a legacy of 80 million unexploded bombs. She created the Peacebomb bracelet with the idea of buying back the bombs. Since, ARTICLE22 has developed into a global business, selling an evolving collection of jewelry and home goods to customers in 40 countries including thoughtful icons like model Angela Lindvall and actress Olivia Wilde.

Rachel Alexandria returns to do a live Enneagram reading with Laurel & Jessa. Which type are you? Rachel is doing a live reading with us today to confirm if we really know our types. Enneagram helps determine your core motivation, and how you can watch for signs of stress and growth. Check out Rachel's website for more information: https://rachelalexandria.com/enneagram/

Sponsored by, Torrey Project: Transform Business, Change the World. Torrey Project is a global organization dedicated to utilizing the power of business as a force for good.
We discuss organic waste with Jared Criscuolo, Founder and CEO of Upcycle & Co - a company that turns organic waste streams into new products. Upcycle & Co. believes in putting waste to work by using the most nutrient-dense materials available to green landscapes, gardens—and the planet.
Keeping pollution-causing nitrogen out waterways and greenhouse gas-producing organic matter out of landfills is central to Upcycle & Co's work. The result is a product that’s great for plants and kinder to the environment. Giving used things a new future: that’s the Upcycle way.