EPISODE 02: How to source sustainable solutions and build an ethical ethos for your business with Ester Ford, Dinki Human

unisex, sustainable, ethically made and

designed

to last

THE FOLLOW SHOW NOTES: EPISODE 2
How to source sustainable solutions and build an ethical ethos for your business with Ester Ford, Dinki Human

ITS EPISODE 2
In our second episode, we have the pleasure of learning from the warm, kind and gorgeously knowledgeable Ester Ford founder and designer of Dinki Human and vegan, hip hop loving mother and fellow loving to-do lister.
What I love about Ester is her ability to put her skills into everything that she does with an effortless flourish and a level of authentic and thoughtful creativity from her core that shows through in all her designs.

FINDING ESTER FORD
If I’m honest how I got in touch with Ester probably came from seeing her designs and feeling a part of me in them. An idea or seed of an idea that I once had, but haven’t thus far pursued. Watching, reading and learning about her brand, how she achieved it and discovering her original and diverse design ideas I was almost entranced by her and her all-round creativity. I thought if reading about her and her ethical design and launch journey ticked my own boxes, then surely you as the audience would also be able to tick many of your, how to start a sustainable business, boxes, by learning from Ester. A mother maker Marvell!

SO WHO IS ESTER FORD AND WHAT IS DINKI HUMAN?
Dinki Human is an organic unisex kidswear brand with a strongly rooted ethos in sustainability.
Ester’s brand stands for responsible manufacture and gender-neutrality.

They only use organic cotton, non-toxic inks and dyes, recycled and plastic-free packaging and every garment is designed for longevity.

As part of this episode, we talk to Ester about the brand’s supply chain, the importance of transparency and how to set out ethical standards and policies for your business. What does that even mean? Well, we uncover why it was so important to Ester to set up these ethical practices, what areas you need to look at and how you too can go about it. We dive deeper into sourcing sustainable solutions and how that impacts pricing and customer awareness. A minefield made simple by Ester through her straight-talking digestible advice.

TAKEAWAYS
Ester offers an honest and open message about the importance of self-learning and self-improvement. We discuss how confidence held her back and what she did about it.

She gives us the exact details of the courses she took herself, how that helped and how in doing so, she has strived and moved forward to the successful launch and growth for Dinki Human.

A valuable take away that Ester reiterates in this episode is the importance of community, sharing stories and strategies and taking the time to support one another.

THE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS BOOK CLUB
When Ester and I started discussing books she instinctively knew that, '“You are a badass at making money” by Jen Sincero, was the one to mention first up.

As soon as we finished our recording though, more and more book recommendations came flooding out that she felt compelled to tell us about, so together we have made a list of the ones that truly stand out and made the biggest and most positive impact on starting a sustainable business.

We haven’t added all the books on the list to the book club yet because there were so many, we felt that we should stick with Esters initial recommendation, as it stood out as bringing about the biggest change in mindset, but if you have read any of the books on the list and want to comment or start a discussion, then please feel free to start a ‘supportive recommendation’ of the book in the book club. Make sure you leave your reasons for highlighting it and how it helped you on your sustainable businesses journey.

QUOTES:
“Design with integrity - beneficial for everyone and not just going for profit.”
“Build your community and connect with anyone who can give you advice but also give back.”

ACTION:
Join a community and take as much advice from others as you can. Read, educate yourself, upskill, take courses and grow.

FOLLOW:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dinki_human/
Website: https://dinkihuman.com/
Dinki Human Transparency - https://dinkihuman.com/pages/transparency
Dinki Human Ethos - https://dinkihuman.com/pages/our-ethos

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK COMMUNITY
TO GET YOUR EXCLUSIVE SCB DINKI HUMAN DISCOUNT

READ:
https://sustainablebusinessclub.co.uk/sbc-book-club
You are badass at making money by Jen Sincero

EXTRA BOOK LIST:
Do Purpose, David Hieatt
Hashtag Authentic, Sara Tasker
Wardrobe Crisis, Clare Press
A Practical Guide to Sustainable Fashion, Alison Gwitt
Rise and Resist, Clare Press
Slave to Fashion, Safia Minney

COMMENT @ SBC BOOK CLUB
https://www.facebook.com/groups/518416125733784/

MENTIONED LINKS:
TOOLS
Asana - https://asana.com/
Outset EU Supported - Free courses - https://www.outset.org/

COURSES
Sarah Akwisombe - http://www.nobullbusinessschool.com/
Sarah Tasker - https://meandorla.co.uk/courses/
Annie Ridout - https://annieridout.com/online-courses/shop/

CHARITIES
Wildlife WWF - https://www.wwf.org.uk/

WHOLESALERS:
Alex and Alexa - https://www.alexandalexa.com/en
Babyccino Kids - https://babyccinokids.com/blog/tag/babicino/
Ottie and the Bea - https://ottieandthebea.com/
Little Flea Kids - https://www.instagram.com/little_flea_kids/?hl=en