Most climate messaging tells people the planet is warming but not what it means for their lives.
In this episode of The Plucky Bamboo Podcast, Melody Serafino, co-founder of The Number 29 Communications, explores why climate and sustainability have a communications problem — and what businesses can do to fix it.
Drawing from her work with impact-driven brands, Melody shares how honesty, transparency, and human connection can build more trust than fear or perfection ever could.
Together, we explore:
• Why “sustainability” has lost its meaning (and how to bring it back) •
How to make climate feel personal, not paralyzing
• The difference between transparency and performative marketing
• Why the best sustainability stories focus on people, not perfection
• What founders can learn from brands like VEJA
If you’re a sustainability leader or communicator looking to build credibility and connection, this episode will reshape how you think about storytelling.
Most companies didn’t build their supply chains for sustainability.
They didn’t even build them for resilience.
Espen Sivertsen, founder and CEO of Ivaldi Group, is changing that by turning complex, global logistics into local, on-demand manufacturing networks.
Instead of shipping parts, Ivaldi sends files.
Instead of waiting weeks for components, they’re produced on-site, often in hours.
And in the process, they’re cutting downtime, costs, and carbon emissions all at once.
But selling this kind of innovation into slow-moving, risk-averse industries isn’t easy - especially when no one gets paid to try new things.
In this episode, we explore:
Why most supply chains are allergic to innovation
How to scale a sustainability solution without complexity creep
Why climate guilt doesn’t sell - and what actually moves a CFO
The rise of file-based supply chains and digital inventory
How to make sustainability make business sense - not just moral sense
Ivaldi is proving that the future of manufacturing isn’t big - it’s everywhere.
Connect with Espen:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/espensivertsen
Ivaldi: https://www.ivaldi.com
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisg-jones/
Plucky Bamboo: https://pluckybamboo.com
Sustainability companies face a hard truth: customers say they care about the planet, but that's rarely why they buy.
The gap between what people claim to value and what actually drives their purchasing decisions can make or break your growth strategy.
That's the challenge Allie Reeves, CEO and co-founder of Baro, had to navigate head-on.
Baro is a peer-to-peer fashion rental marketplace built to make circular fashion accessible. But when Allie and her team leaned hard into sustainability messaging, conversion stalled. It wasn't until they repositioned around financial value - saving and earning money - that growth took off.
In this episode, we explore:
Baro is proving that you don't have to choose between profit and planet - you just need to speak to what your customers actually need.
Connect with Allie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reevesalexandra
Baro: https://www.trybaro.com
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisg-jones/
Plucky Bamboo: https://pluckybamboo.com
What if the way we scale sustainability businesses is all wrong?
In this episode, I speak with Alejandro Crawford - co-founder of RebelBase and co-author of One Size Fits None - about how founders can build regenerative systems that actually work in the real world.
We explore why traditional ideas of scale fall short, how to protect your flexibility as a leader, and why the best solutions often come from the people closest to the problem - not the top of the hierarchy.
Alejandro shares lessons from global communities, universities, and founders who are building change from the ground up - and what it takes to design a business that lasts.
We cover:
• Why “one-size-fits-all” systems keep breaking
• How to rethink scale in your growth strategy
• What most founders get wrong about selling into institutions
• And how to build solutions that are truly responsive to your users
If you care about scaling impact without losing your way - this episode is for you.
Home upgrades shouldn’t be this hard - and yet for millions of homeowners trying to electrify, save money, or improve comfort, the process is confusing, time-consuming, and painfully outdated.
Grant Gunnison, Founder of Zero Homes, knows this firsthand - and he’s on a mission to fix it by combining deep construction know-how with smart technology that removes friction for homeowners and contractors.
In this episode, Grant shares:
✅ Why the home improvement experience is broken, and what it costs homeowners
✅ Why no one has solved this problem (until now)
✅ How Zero Homes is tackling the impossible scale of electrification in America
✅ The hidden operational traps founders face in legacy industries
✅ The resilience it really takes to build something better
If you’re a sustainability founder, operator, or anyone trying to solve big practical challenges in housing or climate, you’ll find Grant’s approach both honest and inspiring.
Listen now and learn how fixing frustrating systems at scale can unlock real climate impact - one home at a time.
When it comes to cleantech, good ideas aren’t enough - if you want real impact, the economics have to work first.
Grizz Deal, co-founder of IXWater, has built nine companies by taking unused government lab tech and turning it into real businesses that solve huge industrial problems - like turning toxic wastewater into usable water for a fraction of the cost.
In this episode, Grizz shares what most sustainability founders get backwards about scaling:
💡 Why industries won’t adopt your green solution unless there’s a clear financial upside
⚙️ How to survive the messy early phase of custom projects and unlock repeatable sales
📈 Why selling your IP can be smarter than clinging to the CEO seat
🌍 What it really takes to turn waste into a resource - and a business that lasts
If you’re building a sustainability company and want to make sure it actually works in the real world, this one’s for you.
What if the most valuable part of your product... isn’t what you built first?
In this episode of The Plucky Bamboo Podcast, Chris speaks with Cory Vanderpool, founder of Sprk - a company on a mission to give energy upgrades like solar panels real value in real estate transactions.
With over a decade in the solar industry, Cory saw deals collapsing, value being lost, and no one bridging the gap between home energy systems and the people buying and selling those homes. So he built a new kind of company - one that’s creating the back-end infrastructure the clean energy market desperately needs.
Together, we explore:
🔹 Why most sustainability products struggle with messaging and market adoption
🔹 The painful lesson of building the “wrong” feature - and what finally unlocked traction
🔹 How Sprk chose one clear audience and stopped trying to solve every stakeholder’s problem
🔹 What founders must understand about awareness stages and “meeting people where they’re at”
🔹 Why building something great isn’t enough - you have to make sure people want it
If you’re a founder trying to scale in a complex or low-awareness market, this episode will hit home.
“Sustainable” isn’t enough, not if we’re still poisoning the planet.
In this episode, I’m joined by Jonathan Appel, co-founder and CEO of Eden, a company developing regeneration tech that turns pollution into clean fuel, water, and fertiliser - with zero waste.
But this conversation goes far beyond the tech.
We dig into the real challenges sustainability founders face when trying to scale something meaningful, including:
💡 Why “sustainability” is broken - and what should replace it
📉 What stops climate tech from scaling, even when the product works
🧠 How to lead through pressure, setbacks, and burnout
⚡ Why mission-aligned capital matters more than fast capital
If you’re building a purpose-led business and trying to grow without compromise, this one’s for you.
🎙 Hosted by Chris Jones
The Plucky Bamboo Podcast - real stories and strategies behind scaling sustainability-focused businesses.
📩 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisg-jones/
In this episode of The Plucky Bamboo Podcast, I sit down with Joe Phoenix, founder and CEO of Givinga — a fintech company powering corporate giving strategies from the inside out.
We talk about the stuff most leaders don’t admit publicly:
Why ESG can’t be a box-ticking exercise anymore
How to delegate without dropping the ball
What really builds trust at scale (hint: it’s not just messaging)
And why growing a purpose-led business always takes 5x longer than you expect
If you’re a sustainability founder stuck between vision and execution, this episode is packed with grounded insight, strategic advice, and hard-earned lessons on building something that lasts.
Most sustainability founders are trying to balance two conflicting truths: the pressure to grow and the responsibility to stay true to their values. In this episode, Daniel Walton, founder of OLPRO, shares his hard-earned lessons from building one of the UK’s most recognisable sustainable outdoor brands.
From navigating greenwashing fears to earning B Corp certification and adapting to fast-changing customer expectations, Daniel opens up about what’s worked, what’s failed, and why sustainability is now core to both product and brand strategy.
You’ll learn why their early “loan a tent” initiative didn’t stick, how they’re using recycled materials without compromising quality, and what surprised him most about the B Corp process. If you’re a purpose-driven founder trying to build something that lasts — without losing your edge — this episode is packed with real-world insight.
What happens when your sustainability solution works - but the market isn’t ready?
In this episode, Eyal Harel, CEO of BlueGreen Water Technologies, shares how their proven water remediation tech saw explosive success in Israel… and nearly took the company under when they tried to scale too fast into global markets.
We talk about:
How a single algal bloom caused $2.7B in economic damage
Why climate founders must learn to sell into conservative, hyper-regulated systems
The painful lessons of scaling without validation
Pivoting into carbon credits to unlock growth
And why 70% success should be “good enough” in environmental innovation
This isn’t a feel-good impact story - it’s a brutally honest breakdown of what it takes to grow when science, regulation, and public perception are all working against you.
If you’re building in climate tech, water, or any mission-driven sector, this one’s for you.
Most sustainability companies talk about circularity — but few actually build systems that make it happen at scale.
In this episode, Mikey Pasciuto, Co-Founder of Scrap, shares how his team turned a dorm-room idea into a fast-growing waste data company working with municipalities, brands, and stadiums to reduce landfill, improve packaging, and cut waste at the source.
We discuss:
✅ The real reason Smart Bins failed — and what worked instead
✅ Why most businesses are “waste blind” (and losing money because of it)
✅ How to sell into sustainability functions across wildly different orgs
✅ The truth about SaaS in sustainability — and why white-glove wins
✅ What to prioritize if you’re trying to scale impact and revenue
Whether you’re an ops-minded founder or a systems-savvy sustainability leader, this one’s packed with practical takeaways to help you grow your business and your impact.
What happens when a sustainability company stops selling the mission—and starts selling real results?
Thomas Grinnan, CEO of Data Company One, shares how his team transformed their business by connecting purpose to profit.
In this episode, we dive into:
✅ Why apps alone don’t change behavior—and what does
✅ How to build a value proposition that actually leads to ROI
✅ The real reason many sustainability sales fall flat
✅ Fast feedback loops, lean product pivots, and CEO lessons in the trenches
✅ How to qualify the right customers and stop chasing the wrong ones
Whether you’re building a climate tech startup, scaling a purpose-driven business, or trying to sell sustainability in a tough market—this one’s full of lessons you can use right away.
🎧 Follow The Plucky Bamboo Podcast for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of sustainable business.
Scaling a purpose-driven business is hard — but it shouldn’t feel like a constant uphill battle.
In this episode of the Plucky Bamboo Podcast, Chris speaks with Danielle Heward, founder of Optimo and expert in operational strategy for sustainability and social impact businesses.
They dive into what really holds back mission-led companies as they grow - and spoiler alert: it’s not a lack of purpose or passion. It’s the systems, communication breakdowns, and poor processes that slowly drain your team’s energy and stall your impact.
Expect a grounded, practical conversation covering:
- Why passionate teams still get stuck- How to balance your mission with real operational excellence- The danger of chasing tech solutions before fixing the foundations
- What sustainable scaling actually looks like - and how to get there
- How B Corp certification shaped Optimo’s journey (and what Danielle learned from it)
- The real cost of ignoring wellbeing as a founder
Whether you’re running a 5-person startup or scaling a national sustainability brand, this episode is packed with insight to help you grow with clarity, structure, and impact.
🎧 Tune in if you’re ready to build a business that runs as good as it does good.
What do you do when your buyers don’t care about carbon, but you’re running a sustainability business?
In this episode of The Plucky Bamboo Podcast, Chris speaks with Stuart Pearce, Founder and Managing Director of SmarTech Energy - a company that helps manufacturers and commercial businesses cut energy use, reduce costs, and meet compliance.
But Stuart’s not just another energy consultant. Over the last decade, he’s built a high-trust, results-driven business in an industry where sustainability is often seen as a “nice to have”.
Together, we explore:
Why most clients don’t care about carbon (and why that’s OK)
How Stuart wins and retains large B2B contracts with guaranteed savings
The painful lesson he learned hiring a marketing agency to drive growth
Why many sustainability strategies fail without the right implementation partner
How SmarTech’s shared savings model helps scale revenue without chasing new clients constantly
Whether you're a sustainability founder trying to sell into tough sectors - or a growth leader looking for better ways to scale your impact - this episode is packed with actionable insight.
🎧 Subscribe for more interviews with founders, strategists, and leaders growing sustainability businesses that actually work.
Most sustainability businesses don’t fail because of their mission—they fail because they struggle with client acquisition, scaling, and navigating complex sales cycles.Too often, leaders assume sustainability sells itself, when in reality, companies that win don’t just “do good”—they make it easier for customers to choose them.That’s exactly what Kathleen Egan, CEO of EcoMedes, has spent her career solving.Through her work in sustainability tech, enterprise SaaS, and data-driven sales strategies, she’s proving that the real key to growth isn’t just being greener—it’s being smarter, faster, and more customer-centric.In this episode of The Plucky Bamboo Podcast, we dive into:💡 Why sustainability alone won’t sell your product (and what actually does)🚀 The biggest mistake green businesses make in sales & marketing⚡ How data & automation are shaping the future of sustainability sales📢 Why businesses that lead with product & customer experience win more deals🔑 What sustainability founders must do to stay ahead of the competitionEcoMedes is helping companies remove friction from sustainable purchasing, making compliance and procurement faster, easier, and more profitable.Watch now to learn how to build a sustainability business that actually wins—without getting stuck in the “early adopter” trap.🔗 Connect with Kathleen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/egankathleen🔗 Learn more about Ecomedes: https://www.ecomedes.com/📩 Or connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisg-jones/
Most sustainability businesses don’t struggle because they lack purpose. They struggle because sustainability isn’t always an urgent priority for their customers.If your clients don’t feel the pain, they won’t take action.That’s exactly what Ian Ormerod, CEO & Founder of Switch to Zero, has learned while helping businesses measure, reduce, and act on their carbon footprint.Through his experience leading digital transformation at major banks and building a sustainability business from the ground up, he’s proving that the key to success isn’t just purpose - it’s strategy, positioning, and commercial value.In this episode of The Plucky Bamboo Podcast, we dive into:💡 Why most businesses DON’T prioritize sustainability (and how to change that)🚀 The biggest mistakes companies make when selling sustainability⚡ How to position sustainability as a business advantage - not just a moral play📢 Why paid ads failed & what actually works for customer acquisition🔑 The mindset shift sustainability leaders MUST adopt to grow fasterSwitch to Zero has helped businesses across industries take meaningful, measurable action toward net zero.Watch now to learn how to sell sustainability effectively, scale your impact, and build a profitable, mission-driven business.🔗 Connect with Ian Ormerod: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-ormerod-switch2zero🔗 Learn more about Switch to Zero: https://www.switch2zero.com/📩 Or connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisg-jones/
Most sustainability businesses aren’t failing because of their mission. They’re failing because of the way they hire, build systems, and scale.Too often, leaders focus on short-term wins instead of designing a business that’s profitable, inclusive, and truly sustainable in the long run.That’s exactly what Lisa Baker, Head of Experience Design & Sustainability at Mima, helps companies get right. Through her work across sustainable business strategy, inclusive design, and impact-driven growth, she’s proving that the key to real success isn’t working harder - it’s working smarter.In this episode of The Plucky Bamboo Podcast, we dive into:💡 Why most sustainability initiatives fail (and how to fix them)🚀 How to scale without sacrificing sustainability or profitability⚡ The biggest mistakes leaders make when balancing impact & growth📢 The business case for inclusivity & why diverse teams drive better results🔑 What sustainability founders MUST prioritize to future-proof their businessMima has helped businesses to make spaces, services and products accessible and inclusive to all.Watch now to learn how to build a sustainability business that thrives - without burning out or plateauing!🔗 Connect with Lisa Baker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-baker-ab035615🔗 Learn more about Mima: https://mimagroup.com/📩 Or connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisg-jones/
Most mission-driven businesses struggle with a tough balance: making an impact while staying financially sustainable. But what if you could do both, without compromising on either?That’s exactly what Lucy Brophy Fernandez, Managing Director of Raleigh International, has done. After the organization went into voluntary liquidation, Lucy led its rebirth - building it from the ground up while staying true to its mission of empowering young people through meaningful, impact-driven expeditions.That’s how Raleigh International has continued to create transformative experiences, inspire future leaders, and make sustainability something people don’t just talk about - they live it.In this episode of The Plucky Bamboo Podcast, we dive into:✅ The secret to balancing impact, cost, and experience in a purpose-driven business✅ Why trust and delegation are non-negotiables for scaling a sustainable organization✅ How to build a strong, mission-driven team culture that keeps people engaged✅ The biggest mistakes sustainability businesses make—and how to avoid themRaleigh’s model has helped thousands of young people step outside their comfort zones and take meaningful action for sustainability - while also building critical leadership skills for the future.🎥 Watch now to learn how purpose-driven businesses can scale, stay financially sustainable, and create a lasting impact!🔗 Connect with Lucy Brophy Fernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-constable🔗 Learn more about Raleigh International: https://raleighinternational.org/📩 Or connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisg-jones/
Most sustainability messaging either preaches to the choir or alienates the people who need to hear it most. But what if we could reframe the conversation so sustainability is a shared priority?That’s exactly what Lewis Jamieson, co-founder of Music Declares Emergency, is working to change. Through his work with artists, labels, and the wider music industry, he’s proving that collaboration and better communication are the real levers for driving sustainability forward.And the lessons apply far beyond music.In this episode of The Plucky Bamboo Podcast, we dive into:🎸 Why businesses need to collaborate - not compete - —on sustainability📢 The real reason sustainability messaging fails (and how to fix it)💡 How to get skeptical stakeholders on board without greenwashing🚀 What the music industry can teach other sectors about driving change⚡ Why the best sustainability strategy is one that makes business senseMusic Declares Emergency has helped brands, artists, and industry leaders turn sustainability into action - not just a corporate talking point.Watch now to learn how businesses can communicate, collaborate, and create sustainability strategies that actually work.🔗 Connect with Lewis Jamieson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-jamieson🔗 Learn more about Music Declares Emergency: https://www.musicdeclares.net/📩 Or connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisg-jones/