Purpose Room Podcast

Dorianeh Stanford

Business as usual is broken. These founders are doing something different. Hosted by strategist Dorianeh Stanford, Purpose Room Podcast brings you bold conversations with the people behind brands that actually stand for something. From eco-innovation to ethical supply chains, we explore how purpose-forward businesses are rewriting the rules—without sacrificing growth. If you care about strategy, ethical business, and what it really takes to build a meaningful brand, this is your room.

Episodes

  1. Why Investors Love This AI Tool

    07/25/2025

    Why Investors Love This AI Tool

    What if AI could show you exactly where your business will break—before it happens?In this episode of Purpose Room, I sit down with Minty Peace, founder of Mangrove, to talk about building resilience into your business from day one. After burning out at Amazon, Minty didn’t just bounce back—she built an AI tool that helps founders and investors map risk, strengthen operations, and scale with confidence.We cover:✨ How a toxic manager at Amazon triggered the insight behind Mangrove’s AI tool✨ The three types of harm businesses cause (often without realizing it)✨ How Minty reverse-engineered startup failure into a system investors now rely on✨ The surprising reason Klarna’s structure made it fragile — and what founders can learn from itWhether you're leading a team, launching a startup, or rethinking how to scale responsibly—this conversation will give you a new lens on what resilience really looks like.Chapters:00:00 Welcome and Intro01:46 Building Resilience in Business Strategy05:19 The Impact of a Non-Traditional Lifestyle07:12 Growing Up in the Outback: Lessons in Resilience07:25 Holistic Approaches to Sustainability10:54 Understanding Business Ingredients for Success16:27 Making Resilience Accessible for Startups and Investors18:16 Building Accessible Business Solutions21:21 Understanding Core Offerings and Mistakes25:05 The Vision for Mangrove and Its Impact25:45 Overcoming Challenges as a Woman in Business27:48 Networking and Community Support27:57 Trends in Entrepreneurship and Emerging Economies28:01 Legacy and Making Resilience AccessibleConnect with Amitty "Minty" Peace:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amittypeace/Learn more about Mangrove Technology:https://www.mangrove.technology/Connect with Dorianeh Stanford:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorianehstanford/Leaders in brand, strategy, and sustainability - connect with us at www.purposeroom.com to link your brand's purpose to business results. Accepting bookings for September.

    29 min
  2. Why Your ESG Strategy Isn’t Delivering ROI (And How to Fix It) | Ft. In Bold Print

    07/10/2025

    Why Your ESG Strategy Isn’t Delivering ROI (And How to Fix It) | Ft. In Bold Print

    Most brands talk about sustainability. Few can prove it's fueling business growth. Ashley Pradhan didn’t set out to build the “TurboTax of carbon tracking”—but that’s exactly what she and her co-founder, Cierra Valor, did with In Bold Print, after seeing Fortune 500 companies spend hundreds of thousands on consultants just to get the basics of ESG reporting right. In this episode, Ashley breaks down how brands are using carbon data not just for compliance, but to unlock major ROI—from retaining shelf space at Costco to landing climate-focused investors. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your ESG strategy not just ethical but economically strategic, this episode is a masterclass in doing both. 🎯 You’ll learn: - Why your sustainability efforts might be leaking value (literally—like open warehouse doors) - How founders are using carbon tracking to close investment rounds - What the “In Bold Print Lab” can teach you about optimizing product-level emissions - Small changes that drive real results—and keep you out of the green washing danger zone - The myth that’s holding too many brands back from real ESG wins. Brand, Marketing, or ESG lead? If you're under pressure to prove the ROI of your sustainability or impact work, we help you turn data into a compelling story that earns trust, wins shelf space, and drives investment. Book a Strategy Call or Join The Waitlist: purposeroom.com Chapters 00:00 The Business Case for Sustainability 03:31 The Origin Story of InBold Print 07:07 The Journey of Entrepreneurship 09:12 Cultural Influences and Work Ethic 10:58 Making the Business Case for Sustainability 11:53 Understanding Carbon Accounting 14:36 Consumer Behavior and Sustainability 16:54 Positioning for Investors 19:45 Gamifying Sustainability Efforts 23:01 Small Changes, Big Impact 24:44 Preparing for Carbon Management 26:44 The Future of Carbon Management Connect with Ashley Pradhan https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-pradhan https://inboldprint.co/ Connect with Dorianeh Stanford http://www.purposeroom.com/link-in-bio

    27 min
  3. Why Did West Elm Pick THIS Fair Trade Company?

    06/27/2025

    Why Did West Elm Pick THIS Fair Trade Company?

    Every purpose-driven brand wants shelf space. But when everyone’s leading with mission—how do you stand out? When Khitish Pandya pitched West Elm, he wasn’t the only social enterprise in the room. But his fair-trade textile company—powered by artisans across rural India—got the yes. In this episode of Purpose Room, we unpack how Khitish built Ecotasar into a commercially viable, values-aligned supply chain without leaning on charity or compromise. His story offers practical lessons for brands navigating ESG, ethical sourcing, and product-market fit. We cover: ✔ How to make premium, handmade goods compete in modern retail ✔ Why values can’t replace delivery, pricing, or product performance ✔ The real tradeoffs behind sourcing, production planning, and retail timelines ✔ What it takes to win when purpose is the norm—not the differentiator Whether you're scaling a social enterprise or leading a purpose-forward brand, this episode is a case study in how to build integrity into the model—not just the message. 🎯 Want to sharpen how you communicate your brand’s impact? Download the free ESG & Impact Reporting Checklist to identify gaps and strengthen your message: 👉 https://tinyurl.com/esgreportchecklist Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Ecotasar Silk and Khitish's Journey02:46 Transitioning from Consulting to Social Enterprise04:16 Challenges in NGO and Corporate Collaboration09:11 Working with Artisans: A Unique Perspective10:53 The Ethical Trade Model Explained12:13 Understanding the Weaving Process and Family Dynamics12:54 Communicating Impact and Collaborations18:56 Handmade Impact: Supporting Artisans and Communities21:00 Building Partnerships: The West Elm Experience22:13 Creating Sustainable Wage Opportunities25:20 The Influence of Upbringing on Social Entrepreneurship29:30 The Importance of Customer Success31:28 Communicating the Value of Handmade Products34:34 Inspiring Future Entrepreneurs35:40 Trends in Social Enterprise: A Growing Acceptance Connect with Kitish Pandya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khitish-pandya-a560b55/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecotasar/ Connect with Dorianeh Stanford:http://www.purposeroom.com/link-in-bio Visit purposeroom.com for support connecting your brands purpose to profits.

    37 min
  4. Flashfood's GENIUS Brand Strategy That Got Them 2,300 Stores

    06/13/2025

    Flashfood's GENIUS Brand Strategy That Got Them 2,300 Stores

    Jordan Schenck turned a food waste solution into a profit-driving retail partner. It's awarded Flashfood 1 million+ app users and partnerships with 2,300+ grocers. Here’s how she led the Flashfood rebrand—and what most purpose-forward brands miss.In this episode, we break down how she re-positioned a sustainability solution into a brand people actually want to engage with.We cover:✔ How they sold retailers on a problem they'd written off✔ Why being “cool” matters more than altruism✔ The brand positioning mistake most purpose-led companies make✔ How to reposition purpose as business value (not just messaging)Whether you're a founder, marketer, or strategist, this is the episode you’ll want to hear *before* your next campaign or brand refresh.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Purpose and Profit02:51 The Journey of Purpose-Driven Brands05:34 Understanding Food Waste08:02 The Scale of Food Waste Problem10:33 Consumer Awareness and Food Production12:28 Grocery Store Dynamics and Waste Management15:00 Flash Food's Role in Food Waste Solutions17:32 Repositioning Flash Food for Food Security20:07 The Value Proposition of Flash Food22:37 Building a Purpose-Driven Brand25:13 Creating a Community Around Purpose26:45 The Importance of Listening to Feedback29:27 Balancing Purpose and Business Results33:34 Understanding Grocery Store Operations33:49 Misconceptions About Shopping Habits40:39 Zero Waste Goals in Grocery Stores44:36 Measuring Impact and Health Outcomes47:11 Future of Grocery Shopping and SustainabilityConnect with Jordan Schenck: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-schenck-56163217/ Connect with Dorianeh Stanfordhttp://www.purposeroom.com/link-in-bioVisit http://purposeroom.com for support connecting your brands purpose to profits.

    49 min
  5. Why Quiet Innovation Beats Flashy Tech - Episode Teaser

    SEASON 1, EPISODE 2 TRAILER

    Why Quiet Innovation Beats Flashy Tech - Episode Teaser

    Sometimes the best innovation is making a boring product...better" - Greg Hegger co-founder of Fox Fold Everyone’s chasing flashy ideas and AI headlines. But Fox Fold found a hidden inefficiency in hotel operations—and turned it into a scalable, purpose-aligned product that hotels across the country are adopting. In this episode of Purpose Room, co-founder Greg Hegger breaks down how they turned waste into value and built a business buyers actually want:✔ Hotels were discarding nearly 50% of their tissue inventory✔ Fox Fold’s design solved the problem—without increasing cost✔ Their messaging didn’t lead with purpose. It led with outcomes. We get into pricing, product simplicity, buyer psychology, and why boring products often win when they’re built to scale. Whether you're working in sustainability, hospitality, or just trying to make your offering more viable—this episode delivers lessons you can actually use.

    1 min
  6. The Quiet Innovation That Solved a Hotel Waste Problem—and Got Hilton’s Attention | Ft. Fox Fold

    05/29/2025

    The Quiet Innovation That Solved a Hotel Waste Problem—and Got Hilton’s Attention | Ft. Fox Fold

    Fox Fold proves that quiet innovation—built on real operational insight—can outperform the hype. Hilton, Sheraton, and 200+ hotels agree. Everyone’s chasing flashy ideas and AI headlines. But Fox Fold found a hidden inefficiency in hotel operations—and turned it into a scalable, purpose-aligned product that hotels across the country are adopting. In this episode of Purpose Room, co-founder Greg Hegger breaks down how they turned waste into value and built a business buyers actually want: ✔ Hotels were discarding nearly 50% of their tissue inventory ✔ Fox Fold’s design solved the problem—without increasing cost ✔ Their messaging didn’t lead with purpose. It led with outcomes. We get into pricing, product simplicity, buyer psychology, and why boring products often win when they’re built to scale. Whether you're working in sustainability, hospitality, or just trying to make your offering more viable—this episode delivers lessons you can actually use. Connect with Greg and Fox Fold: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryhegger/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/foxfold/ Connect with Dorianeh: http://www.purposeroom.com/link-in-bio Visit purposeroom.com for support connecting your brands purpose to profits.

    39 min
  7. She Lost Her Father — Then Reinvented the Funeral Industry | Ft. Resting Reef

    05/15/2025

    She Lost Her Father — Then Reinvented the Funeral Industry | Ft. Resting Reef

    The future of funerals might be underwater. Most of us avoid thinking about what happens after we die. But what if end-of-life rituals could restore ecosystems, support grieving families, and leave behind a living legacy? Founders Luise Skajem and Aura Murillo join us to share how they’re turning personal loss into healing for the planet, and why the future of death care might just be underwater. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the funeral industry is one of the most overlooked environmental threatsHow Resting Reef transforms cremated ashes into structures that support marine lifeThe truth about funding an impact startup (and why they turned down quick capital)What it means to center both human and environmental needs in service designThis isn’t your typical startup story. And it might just change how you think about death. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Resting Reef03:00 Innovative Funeral Practices05:28 Environmental Impact of Traditional Funerals09:16 Changing Perceptions of Death10:35 Personal Stories Behind the Business13:20 From Concept to Viable Business19:14 Media Attention and Public Response21:39 Funding and Growth Strategies24:32 Choosing Bali for the Pilot Project26:31 Community Involvement and Cultural Sensitivity29:05 Cultural Sensitivity in Memorial Practices31:19 Holistic Approach to Death Care32:28 Vision for Global Impact34:07 Overcoming Challenges in Entrepreneurship36:01 Navigating Imposter Syndrome38:47 Connecting Purpose with Profit41:05 Building Trust and Partnerships41:36 Redefining Profit in Purpose-Driven Business45:27 Maintaining Ethical and Sustainability Standards48:24 Future Plans and Expansion50:26 Challenging Perceptions in Death Care51:44 A Vision for the Future of Resting Reef Connect with Aura and Luise:https://uk.linkedin.com/company/resting-reef https://www.linkedin.com/in/auramurillo/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lenborg-skajem-239b71a9/ https://www.instagram.com/restingreef/ Connect with Dorianeh:www.purposeroom.com/link-in-bio Visit purposeroom.com for support connecting your brands purpose to profits.

    54 min

Trailer

About

Business as usual is broken. These founders are doing something different. Hosted by strategist Dorianeh Stanford, Purpose Room Podcast brings you bold conversations with the people behind brands that actually stand for something. From eco-innovation to ethical supply chains, we explore how purpose-forward businesses are rewriting the rules—without sacrificing growth. If you care about strategy, ethical business, and what it really takes to build a meaningful brand, this is your room.

Information

  • Creator
    Dorianeh Stanford
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dorianeh Stanford
  • Show Website
    Purpose Room Podcast