Simon Mainwaring

We First provides consulting and training to help companies tell the story of their good work in ways that build their business

purpose

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At 11:49 p.m. on an otherwise ordinary January 26th, a bearded man was burning the midnight oil in a food lab. He had worked at 16 Michelin star restaurants, was named a Zagat 30 Under 30, and was twice nominated for the James Beard Rising Star Chef award. Tonight, though, he was a scientist. He […]

At 11:49 p.m. on an otherwise ordinary January 26th, a bearded man was burning the midnight oil in a food lab. He had worked at 16 Michelin star restaurants, was named a Zagat 30 Under 30, and was twice nominated for the James Beard Rising Star Chef award. Tonight, though, he was a scientist. He …

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Davis Smith, the serial entrepreneur who cofounded the outdoor gear and apparel brand Cotopaxi with Wharton Business School buddy Stephan Jacob, and outdoor industry veteran CJ Whittaker seven years ago, had an idea that one could use a powerful company purpose to attract talent and continuously better the brand community. “Having a strong and authentic …

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The manufacturing and building sectors have long been major contributors to the environmental emergency. Of late, though, some vanguards in manufacturing and building are also leading the charge toward impactful social- and environmental purpose by, for example, finding innovative ways to produce carbon net-positive products.  Interface, a global manufacturer of commercial and residential flooring, and …

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Companies that challenge the status quo will turn heads and disrupt industries. Conscious consumers are looking for products that are demonstrably better for people and the planet. An outstanding business making purpose-driven waves in the food and agriculture industry is Cooks Venture. The pasture-raised poultry and meat brand is reimagining the future of food from …

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More and more vanguard companies have begun to radically re-imagine and reengineer business based on the idea of collectivized purpose—to Lead With We. They’re showing us that how we live, work, and grow together in new and necessary ways can restore and protect the social and living systems on which all of our futures depend. …

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Consumers are seeking eco-friendly alternatives to everyday products. Stagnant brands lose market share to conscious competitors that disrupt the status quo by building a better world. That’s why companies like Cleancult are so exciting. “Our mission is to bring zero waste to the masses,” Ryan Lupberger, Cleancult’s CEO & co-founder, tells We First.  The detergent …

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