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The entire episode is about SUCCESS

On this podcast, I often ask my guests how they would define success.

And I find the answers really inspiring, so I decided to put them together and make a whole episode.

Even if these founders are involved in the fashion and design industries, they are shooting for the kind of success that will give them the power to create the change they want to see in the world.

Success is never measured or defined in personal financial terms or through shiny metrics like celebrity endorsement, editorial in magazines, number of followers on social media...etc.

But it is rather discussed in terms of job creation for a certain group of people and what it means for them, in terms of provision of opportunities for a specific community, keeping alive a specific craft that would have otherwise disappeared, or influencing stakeholders in their ecosystem to do the right thing. 

Could be clients, suppliers, or others.- David and Bai, both agree that the type of success we aim for could change over time.

- For Shivani, Nan & Carl, Pola, Bai, and Ihita, success is beyond our personal achievement or personal experience. It’s more about connection, about adding value to the lives of others, inspiring others to try to do things differently

- Mati feels privileged to be part of something really powerful and bigger than herself. For Pola it’s about freedom and for Josie, it’s about the exploration of new possibilities

- Ihita, Bai, and Josie explain that success must also include the sustainability component of the business they have created. And it’s not about environmental sustainability. The business should be able to operate and keep creating change even if the founders are not part of the organization anymore

- Jennifer is also focused on the structure of the organization. She explained how the “speedboat” they have created has enabled her and her team to enjoy a thriving, happy and meaningful life while doing good with her business

- You might find Mati’s piece of advice interesting when you grow your business

EPISODE NOTES

Definition of success can change over time:

(2:33) David Nebinski

(4:02) Bai Zahmri

Success is beyond Founders' personal goals, it's more about connection, about adding value to the lives of others, inspiring others to do things differently:

(5:03) Shivani Patel

(5:59) Nan & Carl

(8:20) Pola  Stępień

(8:40) Bai Zahmri

(9:10) Ihita Shandilya

On  privilege, freedom, and exploration of new possibility:

(10:04) Mati Ventrillon

(10:46) Pola  Stępień

(11:44) Josie Mackenzie

On the sustainability components in the business created:

(16:07) Ihita Shandilya

(16:50) Bai Zahmri

(10:03) Josie Mackenzie

On being lean, on growing, and being close to the core of what the brand stands for:

(20:39) Jennifer Myers Chua

(22:51) Mati Ventrillon

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CONNECT WITH DAVID NEBINSKI

David is the host of Portfolio Career Podcast: https://www.portfoliocareerpodcast.com/

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CONNECT WITH BAI ZAHMRI

Bai is the Founder of Nazkids https://www.mynazkids.com/

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CONNECT SHIVANI PATEL

Shivani is the Founder of Arture https://myarture.com/

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CONNECT WITH NAN & CARL

Nan & Carl are the Founders of  Seeker x Retriever https://www.seekerxretriever.com/

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CONNECT WITH POLA STEPIEN

Pola is the Founder of  MODAPOLKA https://modapolka.com/

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CONNECT WITH IHITA SHANDILYA

Ihita is the Founder of  MithilaSMITA https://www.mithilasmita.com/

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CONNECT WITH MATI VENTRILLON

Mati is the Founder of  Mati Ventrillon  https://www.mativentrillon.co.uk/

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CONNECT WITH JOSIE MACKENZIE

Josie is the Founder of  AMMA Sri Lanka https://www.ammasrilanka.com/

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CONNECT WITH JENNIFER MYERS CHUA

At HIP MOMMIES: https://hipmommies.ca/

Buy products that are useful, well-made, thoughtfully designed that are responsibly from suppliers that are good people, supporting good causes, and that are doing business ethically 

Jennifer's podcast: COST OF GOODS SOLD

When Mission-driven Business Founders Discuss Success

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