Nov 29, 2017
In episode 90, Kestrel welcomes Davis Smith, the CEO and founder of Cotopaxi to the show. A brand that creates innovative outdoor products and experiences, Cotopaxi works to fund sustainable poverty relief, move people to do good, and inspire adventure.
"Originally I think ...
it was the grantmaking ... where we were going to have our impact,
but as we've started to put together these impact reports, I'm
seeing that a lot of the impact that we're having is actually
through our purchasing power, it's through our supply
chain. "
-Davis Smith, founder + CEO of Cotopaxi
Throughout this episode, Kestrel and Davis discuss Cotopaxi's business model, and Davis shares more on his intention with the company to use business to alleviate poverty - through what they like to call "holistic development".
Davis also shares more on how Cotopaxi has built partnerships with llama farmers in Bolivia, and how they use llama wool as insulation in some of their jackets (instead of down or some kind of synthetic insulation).
The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat:
- The Wharton School, where Davis received his MBA
- 3 pillars Cotopaxi addresses in their work toward poverty alleviation: Healthcare, Education + Livelihood Training
- Proximity Designs, Myanmar-based nonprofit Cotopaxi works with
- Educate Girls, India-based nonprofit Cotopaxi works with
- Questival, outdoor adventure race held all over the U.S. + hosted by Cotopaxi