Walk into any coffee shop in Vermont or visit any ski hill, and you’ll see heads covered in patterns of brightly colored flowers, butterflies, or tiny foxes, paired with neck warmers clad in similarly cheerful patterns pulled up over chilled rosy cheeks.  In 2008, when Corinne Prevot, a crafty high schooler, started making hats for herself and her ski teammates, this explosion of colored patterns on slopes and in towns began. Sixteen years later, Prevot is now the founder behind the growing, beloved Vermont brand Skida. Many things have changed since her first hats, but the delightful patterns remain her signature.

Topics: Innovation, Industry Expert Interviews, Inspiration, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainability Marketing, Vermont, Marketing Strategy and Best Practices, Sustainable Brands, Branding

Edited for content and clarity by Chris H. Hadgis

In 1987, Stan Day’s invention of the Grip Shift, or the bike gear twist, “changed the world.” Since then, the company now known as SRAM has grown, adapted, and acquired 14 additional brands along the way. 

Soon-to-be former VP of Marketing at SRAM, David Zimberoff (DZ), earned a highly-unique departure gift: he got to select the replacement for his role at SRAM to pursue his dream of designing a low-cost, sustainable, mobility solution for rural communities.

Topics: Customer-Centric Marketing, Innovation, Industry Expert Interviews, Climate Change, Inspiration, Branding and Brand Value, Company Culture, In the News, Marketing Strategy and Best Practices, Sustainable Brands

As part of our Industry Expert Interview series, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jenny Kalanges, Vice President of Membership at 1% for the Planet. 1% For the Planet is a global organization whose members contribute at least one percent of their annual revenue to environmental causes to protect the planet. The aim of the certification is to offer accountability, prevent greenwashing, and "certify reputable giving."

Topics: B Corporation, Industry Expert Interviews, Climate Change, Inspiration, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainability Marketing, Company Culture, In the News, Climate and Social Justice, Sustainable Brands

In our previous EnergyWire, we revisited a few Industry Expert Interviews that we’ve had over the past two years. As we wind down yet another year of unexpected twists and turns, we find ourselves reflective and looking at the year ahead, gleaning inspiration and gearing up for whatever comes next in 2022. 

There’s no better way to do that than to revisit a few more interviews with some of the best and brightest leaders at purpose-driven companies in the US and Canada. Check out our final round up of Industry Expert Interviews and let us know: as your organization heads into 2022, what are some of the thoughts, ideas and conversations inspiring you the most? We’d love to hear from you!

Topics: B Corporation, Industry Expert Interviews, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainable Brands

At the start of 2020, KSV kicked off Industry Expert Interviews, a new content marketing series we implemented as a way to hear more from purpose-driven organizations around the country, get inspired and have great conversations with innovative and talented individuals.

Topics: Customer-Centric Marketing, B Corporation, Industry Expert Interviews, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainable Brands

Earlier this year, we sat down with Sascha Mayer, CEO and Co-Founder of Mamava, Inc., a fellow B Corporation and women-owned company dedicated to transforming the culture of breastfeeding. Over the past several years, Sascha and her co-founder Christine Dodson have built a successful, mission-driven company that advocates for and empowers women in society and in the workplace, and we are so honored to have had the opportunity to chat with Sascha as part of this interview series. Check out our conversation below:

Topics: Innovation, B Corporation, Industry Expert Interviews, Inspiration, Branding and Brand Value, Company Culture, Vermont, Sustainable Brands

In the fall of 2020, we were fortunate enough to sit down with Joe Giallanella, the Team Lead of the Growth Incubator at Seventh Generation, a global consumer product goods company and veteran B Corporation. At the time, and amidst the unprecedented circumstances of a global pandemic, Joe’s team had just finished up the successful launch of Zero Plastic Homecare, an innovative new line of products aimed at eliminating plastic entirely from home care product packaging. The successful launch only served to further prove the resilience and humanity that underlies what it truly means to be a B Corp.

Topics: B Corporation, Industry Expert Interviews, Sustainability Marketing, Vermont, Climate and Social Justice, Sustainable Brands

Last fall we had the opportunity to sit down with Bobby McConnell, the Vice President and Head of Sales and Customer Experience at Gaia Herbs, a leading natural herbs and wellness brand and fellow B Corp. At the time of our conversation, Bobby had just recently joined the Gaia team, where he currently leads both the sales function of the organization and customer experience for both the brand’s brick-and-mortar and e-commerce outlets.

Topics: Customer-Centric Marketing, B Corporation, Industry Expert Interviews, Branding and Brand Value

For the next installment in our Industry Expert Interview Series, we had the opportunity to sit down with Paul Lynch, the CEO and Founder of Cage Free Productions, a B Corp-certified and 1% For the Planet designated storytelling agency, specializing in video production based out of Santa Barbara, California. Through the unique concept of Human-Centered Production™, the company helps mission-driven individuals and organizations hone in on the power of video and storytelling to catalyze change and solve problems.

Topics: Industry Expert Interviews, Content Marketing, Creative, Marketing Strategy and Best Practices

Never has the value of being a B Corp been more evident than in 2020, as a global pandemic and social change have taken center stage and communities around the world have realized the true benefits of using business as a force for good.

Topics: Innovation, B Corporation, Industry Expert Interviews, Sustainability Marketing, Company Culture, In the News