Can Paint Be Beautiful, Safe, and Sustainable? Inside Alkemis Paint with Maya Crowne & Price Latimer

2025-04-21

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Bearded Finisher Podcast, host Zach Shrum sits down with Maya Crowne and Price Latimer, co-founders of Alkemis Paint, a wellness-driven paint brand transforming how we think about coatings. With backgrounds in art, design, and finance, Maya and Price are leading the charge toward safer, more sustainable paint options—without compromising on beauty or performance. They dive into the environmental impact of traditional paints, the power of Cradle to Cradle c...

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Bearded Finisher Podcast, host Zach Shrum sits down with Maya Crowne and Price Latimer, co-founders of Alkemis Paint, a wellness-driven paint brand transforming how we think about coatings. With backgrounds in art, design, and finance, Maya and Price are leading the charge toward safer, more sustainable paint options—without compromising on beauty or performance.

They dive into the environmental impact of traditional paints, the power of Cradle to Cradle certification, and how mineral-based pigments are changing the game. You'll hear how Alkemis is leveraging direct-to-consumer strategies, balancing growth with integrity, and using customer feedback to improve everything from product to palette. This is more than just paint—it’s a movement toward healthier, more thoughtful design.

Whether you’re in the coatings industry or just passionate about sustainability, this episode will inspire you to rethink what’s possible with paint.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction and Background
02:57 – The Genesis of Alkemis Paint
05:56 – Art and Design Journey
09:02 – The Need for Wellness Paint
11:53 – Cradle to Cradle Certification Explained
15:06 – Environmental Impact of Conventional Paints
18:00 – The Future of Sustainable Paints
23:31 – Exploring Food Grade Coatings
26:01 – Cradle to Cradle Certification Explained (Part 2)
27:34 – In-House Manufacturing vs. Partnerships
30:01 – Direct to Consumer Sales Strategy
35:52 – Innovations in Paint Technology
41:55 – Feedback from the Field: Real World Applications
46:05 – The Science of Paint Pigments
49:24 – Innovative Projects and Collaborations
51:51 – Future Directions and Industry Partnerships
54:51 – The Importance of Education in the Paint Industry
59:45 – Personal Passions and Creative Outlets