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How can we use fashion to build a better world?
Ian Bentley
Ian Bentley is co-founder and CEO of Parker Clay, a manufacturer, multi-channel retailer, and now one of the largest employers of women in fashion in Ethiopia, one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.
With a background in business development and a passion to enact change, Ian, along with his wife Brittany, founded Parker Clay while living in Ethiopia. Today, Parker Clay has grown to over 200 employees between their office, warehouse, and flagship store in Santa Barbara, California, and their factory and leadership team in Addis Ababa.
Their commitment is to make a better bag for a better world, through a brand which is built to showcase the finest Ethiopian leather and craftsmanship, while providing meaningful job opportunities, vocational training, and living wages for at-risk women. As a certified B-Corp, Parker Clay is proud to uphold the highest standard of ethical and sustainable processes in both production footprint and social impact.
Today we discuss the future of fashion, how Parker Clay got started and became the largest exporter of finished leather goods from Ethiopia to the world, and most importantly, how they are empowering women to create a better life for themselves and their families.
What We Discuss in this Episode
- Having courage to step out into the unknown
- Building a family that inspires hope
- Finding ways to empower women in Ethiopia
- Helping women to be permanently free from prostitution and exploitation
- Becoming the largest exporter of leather goods from Ethiopia to the world
- Overcoming the challenges of doing business in a foreign country
- The importance of trusted relationships
- Sustainability and ethical business practices
- How to qualify as a B-Corp and the scoring metrics
- Intersecting profit and purpose in business
- Why they chose equity crowdfunding to grow their company
- Pursuing profitable growth
- Favorite stories of empowerment
- Connecting hours of empowerment with each product
Podcast Highlights
1:20 – Finding purpose as a family
8:18 – Discovering Ethiopia
12:50 – Overcoming challenges
16:50 – Sustainability and ethical business
23:20 – Equity crowdfunding
31:00 – Stories of empowerment
42:00 – Taking action
Episode Resources
- Main Website: parkerclay.com
- Invest in Parker Clay: invest.parkerclay.com
- TEDx Talk: Fashion on Purpose
Connect with Ian Bentley
- Website: parkerclay.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/parkerclay
- Facebook: facebook.com/parkerclay
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ianwbentley
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