Capitalism for Good

Let’s hear it for a true blue hometown business like Made in KC. Made in KC is a local retailer exclusively selling goods that are made in Kansas City (just like its name!). Keith Bradley, Co-Owner of the store, talks about his experience starting and growing a business of selling goods exclusively made by those in Kansas City (see: the name of their store). Does it come with its own challenges? Yes. Does this locally owned business still remain connected to the global economy? Yes. Is it also thriving by lifting up the people that live right in its own neighborhood? Absolutely yes. Shout out: restaurant workers! Keith talks about how looks to those in the restaurant industry as folks that are working tirelessly to build strong stable businesses to feed our neighborhoods in a challenging environment. Under the same family businesses, they also own Front Range Cafe, Outta the Blue, Sandlot Goods, and Rainy Day Books.Bonus shout out: New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce (because, can we really post a podcast and not mention the Kelce’s or the Swift’s?) and to Porky’s in Grain Valley, MO. Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & Transcripts

Emma Grose, CEO & Co-founder of MABLE and HAY! Straws with both brands focused on designing and manufacturing sustainable products like toothbrushes (both manual and electric toothbrush heads), straws, cutlery, floss, cotton swabs, and stir sticks. What’s even better, both brands have built in community give-back programs so you can feel even better about purchasing these products. We talk about her experiences getting started and the lack of female representation in the venture capital world, the importance of sustainability and community give-back programs, how she found the confidence to be the strong leader she is now, and the difficulties of running sustainably-manufactured brands in today’s volatile world (especially in the United States). Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & Transcripts

You’re going to buy shoes anyway, so why not buy from a brand that is actively working to clean up our planet? Indosole is a recycled footwear brand based in Bali, Indonesia with a global initiative and it’s founder, Kyle Parsons, talks about the impact of sustainable manufacturing and what it’s like to evolve from idea to implementation while continuously improving. Originally from the United States, he was naturally drawn to everything Bali has to offer. During one early visit, he broke a flip flop and the replacement launched the idea for what is now Indosole. While the idea of repurposing old tires for the soles of shoes might have been more common in the area, what sets Indosole apart is the higher quality that has developed over many iterations. Shout out to: Sungai Watch & Patagonia (back in the shout outs again!)Use code CFG for 10% off your purchase at IndosoleEarly and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & Transcripts

The goal is still the same: Interview 100 business leaders making a positive impact on their internal and external communities. What's New?Mentions - I’ve added a list companies and organizations mentioned that includes links and is organized by episode. It’s on my website (capitalism-for-good.com) under the blog & transcripts tab (direct link here). Referral & discount codes - There’s just a couple that have come up along the way so far, so those are posted with the associated company by episode. Social media - Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram,  LinkedIn, and TikTok. Patreon - The project is supported through the Capitalism for Good Patreon (you may also support directly via the bio site link). Thank you to anyone that’s supported so far! It allows the project to keep going and without the bias of traditional advertisers. Those choosing to subscribe through the Patreon will gain access to the weekly Between the Interviews episodes, early releases of the Interviews, behind the scenes and bonus content, merchandise, and more. If you have questions about how any of this works, hit me up! And personally - I’ve truly loved the conversation that this project starts with others that are following along. What am I watching: Royals baseball - my love for Kansas City and sports analogies goes beyond Chiefs football. I’m also a long standing Royals baseball fan. This weekend, they’re playing the other Missouri team, the Cardinals and have also been reminiscing about past World Series wins by bringing in former players to celebrate and honor their accomplishments. I know nostalgia is a little oversaturated in the zeitgeist these days, but I’m not sick of it. It’s a good reminder to celebrate the hard work and big (and small) wins in our respective lives. I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but here’s where I’m spending my money: Food to cook at home! I love the activity of cooking, specifically without a recipe. One of my favorite meaningless challenges for myself is to make a meal out of whatever is in the kitchen. The other day I used up sweet potatoes & zucchini. I shredded those, added an egg and some gluten free rice flour, tossed in some paprika and pepper and voila. Well, technically, it didn’t bind together the way I wanted it to, so then I also added a little pancake mix and then fried them in a skillet with some butter. The point is, I caught up with a handful of friends via Marco Polo while I worked my magic and made enough for lunch and froze the leftovers so I could eat them today.

Veronica Hernandez, General Manager of the Modesto Nuts tells a great story of her journey starting as an unpaid intern for two different teams and the working her way up to her current position as woman GM in minor league baseball. She’s a wealth of advice from finding ways to make sacrifices to get to where you want to go, to the importance of curating a network around you, and not being discouraged by imperfection.Shout outs to: Jesse Cole from the The Savannah Bananas and California Rural Legal Assistance FoundationEarly and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & Transcripts 

So. Many. Themes. Already. It’s all about the people that surround you. Cheering them on. Learning from them. Trusting them to use their strengths to be successful.Continue to go back to your values, the mission, and what you want your legacy to be. Shannon talked about this when she said, “Find your lane. Get in it and feel good about it.” And Andrew Bolton talked about it when he said, “ If you are doing good work and you are doing good for somebody else, the money will follow.”There will always be highs and lows, but you just have to keep things moving. (Easter Egg: Emma Grose from MABLE & Hay! Straws has a similar outlook). When the store and office were shut down during COVID, they found a way to keep all of the employees on the payroll for 2 whole years. It’s clear that he prioritizes the people working for Charlie Hustle and made a conscious decision to find a way to keep them on board and working toward the common goal. Embrace the pivot! Sometimes we start down a pathway and then decide to make a left turn. Pivots are ok and they’re even better when you take the skills and lessons learned from the path you’ve taken so far to the new pathway that you’re walking down. What have I been reading (and what have I been writing): The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad is a book of essays and writing prompts that combine a wide range of thought-provoking and unexpected writings by people of all kinds with each ending in a writing prompt giving the reader a chance to be involved in the creative process right alongside each of the authors. This book has been a great way for me to get out of my own head for a bit and look at life through a different lens. 10/10 highly recommend. I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but here’s where I’m putting my dollar: The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad (and really any book or piece of art she’s made)Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & Transcripts