EP 5: Leaders of Social Change

In this episode we connect with two dedicated social entrepreneurs using their ventures to make change within the communities in which they operate and serve. We hear what motivates their drive for impact, and they also share their tips on what’s propelled each of their businesses’ unique success stories in the fashion industry.

We first connect with Salima Visram, Founder & CEO of Samara, as she shares her incredible model to support her non-profit, The Soular Backpack, through her for-profit, direct-to-consumer fashion business, SAMARA. Salima shares the inspiring story of creating The Soular Backpack to provide children in East Africa with a bag outfitted with a solar panel. She also shares her vision for SAMARA to lead the fashion industry in sourcing raw materials and natural resources.

 

We then speak to Ashley Freeborn, Founder and CEO of Smash + Tess, about how her early career as a teacher cultivated her team’s focus on community and the desire to always ask, "how can we give back?" Ashley shares how creating an inclusive, accessible digital community unlocked incredible dialogue and feedback that accelerated her team’s success, and why it’s so important to dream big from the outset of your venture.