I am a writer and executive administrator for Trusted Clothes, which is an ethical and sustainable fashion organization. The following is a series devoted in honor of the work done in collaboration with the Schroeckers and the Trusted Clothes team. Here is part 2. Part 1 here.
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You self-define as a life coach, writer, and activist for ethical fashion. In fact, you have some musings, and spoken word and poetry on the website as well. What is the ethical economy?
An ethical economy represents a win for all, including consumers, companies, employees, communities, and the environment.
Why these self-definitions?
My intention is to inspire people to become the highest version of themselves both personally and professionally. I hope to make a meaningful contribution to the world through writing and life coaching. I took an excellent program to learn a coaching style of communication, which I find empowers people to find their own inner truth. The secret lies in asking powerful questions. The coaching process can help take people from where they are now, to where they want to be.
I also have a passion for spoken word, it is an excellent way for people to express themselves, particularly our youth.
You run the Facebook page entitled Corporate Conscience. What is the importance of corporate social responsibility – or a corporate conscience (as they are defined legally as immortal persons, by implication of the law)?
Yes, we have all seen how giving a corporation the rights of “personhood”, while at the same time having no personal liability and accountability, can create a psychopathic ‘entity’. However, a corporation can be created by ethical business leaders, and have a system that is built on integrity.
Consumer influence is vital. Thanks to social media, corporations are frequently challenged by the public now. Recently, there have been stories of CEOs taking pay cuts to raise wages for workers, there is an exciting movement toward conscious capitalism.
What other work are you involved in at this point in time?
By day, I work in accounting and administration to make ends meet, it is a practical way to support my family for now and takes up a great deal of my time. In my own personal journey, it somehow makes sense to work with numbers in order to earn money. I work hard, and it keeps me humble.
It is not part of my spiritual path to make money from spiritual/life coaching, nor from advocating for corporate social responsibility. I would accept donations for life and business coaching under certain circumstances, although it hasn’t happened yet. Money and career success is not the purpose behind it.
What meaning or personal fulfillment does this work bring for you?
All the writing and coaching I have done until now has been voluntary, in the hopes that I am making a positive contribution to the world. This is all I want.
I have worked to plant seeds of empathy and ethics in my everyday life for twenty years now, both personally and professionally. I try to be a living example of the things I write about, and I have made a lot of people irritated in my lifetime as a result. Yet I have also had some very meaningful experiences. I will continue to speak my truth wherever I go, even if it means I am labeled as a trouble-maker once in awhile, for challenging the status quo.
With regard to ethical and sustainable fashion companies, what’s the importance of them to you?
Ethical and sustainable companies can act as role models to business leaders who may later follow in their footsteps. They demonstrate how sustainable business practices are vital for ‘longterm’ success.
Any feelings or thoughts in conclusion?
Just want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story.
I feel fortunate to have been able to make a contribution to the Trusted Clothes blog. It is an amazing organization, that is paving the way for mindful business practices in the fashion industry.
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Original publication on www.trustedclothes.com.