Tag Archive for: The Clean Living Podcast

This Factory45 Alum Created a Sustainable, Age-Defying Pillow

Age-Defying Pillow

“I am so in LOVE with this pillow…”

I’ve said every night for the past week.

My husband is sick of hearing about it, but I’m not quite over it yet.

When Factory45 alumni Lydia Lopez-Astrov asked me if I was a side or stomach sleeper, I admitted (with my tail between my legs) that I am, in fact, both. 

Which I know is the worst, but I can’t kick the habit. 

Not only is stomach sleeping horrible for your back and side sleeping bad for your shoulders, but both styles of sleeping exacerbate every 35-year-old woman’s nightmare:

Wrinkles!

And while I’m all for the natural progression of aging, when Lydia told me she was creating an age-defying sleep-mask-style pillow I’ll admit I was intrigued.

But I knew finding truly sustainable materials for the pillow wouldn’t be easy…

If you’ve had a chance to listen to the BEDDING episode of The Clean Living Podcast, then you know there are some problematic things about everyday sheets, mattresses and pillows.

Polyester or polyfill, which are plastic materials derived from petroleum, are the main culprits.

We spend nearly a third of our lives sleeping and yet most of us don’t know what we’re sleeping on… 

A recent New York Times opinion piece from journalist Nicholas Kristoff put a spotlight on endocrine disrupting chemicals — many of which come from plastic materials — and how they’re negatively affecting sperm counts, among other things.

So, while yes, I was excited about a pillow that aims to decrease wrinkles, it was the natural latex filling, organic cotton shell and 100% silk pillowcase that not only has me sleeping easy at night but may also make this one of the most sustainable pillows on the market.

Like I said, I love it.

When Lydia joined Factory45 in 2019 she had worked on upwards of 40+ prototypes and says, “I have slept on every version over the past several years and I am no longer able to sleep on any other pillow.”

I’m so glad the world is waking up to the need for more sustainable sleep.

You can read more about Lydia’s story here and shop the Sleep Goddess Beauty Pillow here.

 

 

 

Lydia is offering the Factory45 community a 20% discount on any purchase. Use the code “Factory45” at checkout — offer expires on March 15th!

clean living podcast

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Here’s How to Enter the Clean Living Giveaway

To celebrate the launch of The Clean Living Podcast, I’m hosting a giveaway featuring four amazing eco-living brands.

There will be SIX WINNERS and here are the prizes:

On Wednesday the 21st I’ll post the details again about how to win but since you’re on my VIP list, I wanted you to hear it here first —

To enter the giveaway on Wednesday:

  1. Subscribe to The Clean Living Podcast (you can actually do this step now)
  2. Listen and leave a review!
  3. Screenshot your review and share it on your own Instagram Stories
  4. Tag @factory45co and @cleanlivingpodcast in your IG Story

*Each additional slide in your IG Story counts as another entry into the giveaway!

I know this takes a bit more effort than your average IG giveaway, but these prizes are so good that I had to make it worth it ; ) 

I’m really excited to share the first four mini-episodes of the podcast with you — 

Go ahead and start listening here!

Always so grateful for your enthusiasm & support,

 

 

 

clean living podcast

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Listen to the Trailer: The Clean Living Podcast

clean living

What’s really in the products we use and buy every day?

Is it possible to change our lives by becoming more thoughtful consumers?

For most people, it’s overwhelming to sift through research about pollutants and toxins when you’re just trying to make it through the day, put dinner on the table and get the kids to bed.

But there is so much that we don’t know about the products we use daily.

We don’t know who to trust, which ingredients to avoid, what to switch to and which companies are greenwashing a lie.

And that’s what I’ve set out to explore through The Clean Living Podcast.

With mini episodes under 10 minutes, this podcast helps busy women live more sustainably in the areas of home, food and beauty.

And with one week until the first episodes go live, you can now listen to the trailer (just click the play button below):

Listen on iTunes HERE  |  Listen on Spotify HERE  |  Listen on Google HERE

If you’re interested in learning more about clean living through this podcast, it would mean so much to me if you clicked the “Subscribe” button on your podcast platform of choice.

The success metrics of a new podcast (as determined by iTunes, Spotify, Google, etc.) are based on the number of subscribers and the number of episode downloads in the first week.

Your early support will make a huge difference in helping to spread the word about The Clean Living Podcast.

Subscribe on iTunes here.

Follow on Spotify here.

Subscribe on Google Podcasts here.

Again, thank you so much — I can’t wait to share the first three mini episodes with you next week.

More soon,

 

 

 

P.S. The Clean Living GIVEAWAY is also happening on Instagram next week! Keep an eye out for the chance to win a dress from Factory45’er Vesta, The Clean Beauty Box and more… here: @factory45co

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How to Push Past Insecurity to Impact the Right People

insecurity

For the past month, I’ve had a recurring nightmare of not being able to speak.

Sometimes I simply can’t find the words.

Other times, it’s more extreme — like when my mouth is full of rocks.

What I finally realized is that it’s a manifestation of insecurity.

Insecurity about launching The Clean Living Podcast.

Here are some examples of the negative self-talk I’ve been experiencing:

“It’s been done.”

“Nobody cares.”

“Who am I to do this?”

“It’s not significant enough.” 

That last one, in particular, has kept me up at night.

It’s this feeling of, “I’m not doing enough.”

And if I’m really honest with myself (and completely transparent with you), my big fear is that people think clean living is elitist. 

Only for the privileged. 

That it has nothing to do with equity or inclusion.

When in reality, I know that clean living has many different forms. And that with education, it can be inclusive and accessible to everyone.

My goal through this podcast is to show people that thinking more carefully about what we buy, and how we live, doesn’t have to cost more money and can actually save us money in the long run.

But any time you take on a new project, it’s normal to question the process.

Do my intentions align with the final product?

Is there even such a thing as a “final product” or will this always be a work in progress?

Am I prepared to make mistakes, and maybe even fail?

What will that say about my self-worth?

When these questions come up I’ve learned to always have an answer ready.

Here’s what I’ve been telling myself:

If just 100 people find out about a Black-woman-owned clean deodorant brand, then that’s potentially an extra $1400+ in revenue for that business. 

(And it’s 100 people no longer swiping aluminum under their arms.)

If just 100 people learn how to improve the air quality in their home, that’s potentially 100+ kids who are learning remotely with less household pollutants in the air.

If just 100 people learn how to get more nutrients from their food, then that’s 100 families feeling healthier and more energized than they did before.

Remember: Your impact doesn’t have to be huge to be significant.

That’s all to say, if you’re also working on a new project and you’re feeling insecure or discouraged or behind or deflated, I want to remind you that it’s not about making huge waves.

It’s about creating small ripples for the people who matter most to your business.

When we stay in our lane and we focus on the unique gifts we can contribute, that’s when we’re able to impact the right people.

Keep pushing forward,

 

 

 

UPDATE: I’m releasing the trailer for The Clean Living Podcast next week! On Wednesday, Oct. 14th I’ll ask you to kindly listen and subscribe as we gear up for launch.

Also — thank you so much to everyone who helped me choose a podcast thumbnail last week! You can find out which image won on Instagram here : )

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How to Actually Accomplish Big Goals

Accomplish Big Goals

Do you know what’s nerve-wracking?

Announcing that you’re starting a podcast… 

And not having a single episode recorded.

It’s true, two weeks ago when I was teeing myself up to announce the launch of The Clean Living Podcast I only had a spreadsheet of ideas.

I talk all this game about starting before you’re ready, setting small goals and taking baby steps to do big things… 

But it’s scary.

I’ve been an entrepreneur for a long time, I’ve launched big projects before and I’ve pushed my comfort zone more than once — imposter syndrome is something you simply can’t escape.

So, what did the past two weeks look like?

A series of very small and deliberate steps.

There was one day dedicated to the podcast trailer and intro, another day to write the first three episodes, another day to write the podcast description and landing page… 

Then there was an entire morning and afternoon that I spent sitting on the floor of my closet to record the episodes I had written.

And repeat.

As of right now, I’ve finished the trailer and the first 10 episodes and sent them to my podcast manager for editing.

But do you know what my first thought was when I sat down to record for the very first time?

“Oh, shit.”

And then: “This is so much harder than I thought it was going to be.”

I often say that if we knew how difficult it was to launch a business idea, new project or any unfamiliar venture, then we wouldn’t ever start.

And that’s exactly what I was thinking as I hit record for the 70th time: 

What did I get myself into?

Whether it’s something as daunting as starting a new fashion brand or something smaller like a podcast, it’s time and persistence that are the antidotes of the unfamiliar.

I spent all day sitting in that closet and by the time I emerged, with a sore back, hoarse voice and tired eyes, I had done something I was very worried I wouldn’t be able to do.

And that’s the name of the game.

Want to tackle a big goal?

Declare it to the world.

Want to actually accomplish that big goal?

Break it into baby steps, give yourself plenty of time, expect it to be difficult and persist anyway.

We’re about a month out from the launch of The Clean Living Podcast and next week I’m going to ask you to vote on what you think the podcast thumbnail should be. 

This is the image that you’ll see on iTunes or Spotify next to the podcast name — and I’d love your opinion on it.

In the meantime, I want you to remember: We can do hard things. 

I’m right there with you.

 

 

 

CTA-Factory45 SHOP

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Coming Soon: The Clean Living Podcast

clean living

I could feel the heat rushing to my face and my voice beginning to shake.

I was on a Zoom call with a DEI consultant to discuss the blind spots and racial biases within the Factory45 program.

I had actively sought this out, but it didn’t diminish how uncomfortable I felt.

I started rambling off about how I wanted my company to be a part of the solution, instead of perpetuating the problem, with a list of all of the things I was personally doing to fight racial injustice.

The consultant stopped me and simply said, “Stay in your lane.”

She went on to explain that it’s not my place to try and single-handedly aid racial justice reform.

Instead, she asked, “How can you create impact within your industry or area of expertise?”

“Go deep,” she said. “Not wide.”

And that’s what I’ve been grappling with all summer.

So, I did what I always do when I don’t have the answers… 

I spent three months immersed in research: I took courses, I enrolled in programs, I read books, I watched webinars… 

And in mid-August, over a conversation with my sister, I figured out what I need to do next.

Will it solve racial inequality? No.

But it will be accessible and inclusive to all people, in a way that improves their lives and helps to create a more sustainable world.

In a follow-up email from the consultant I worked with, she wrote:

“We connected your DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) work to eco-living, which seems to be the area you are most confident.” 

Eco-Living. Not just eco-fashion?

It was at that moment I realized… 

This is my lane.

I can do so much more beyond fashion.

Ten years ago, sustainable fashion was the first step I took into the world of sustainable living.

But in that decade, there were other topics that I researched, learned and applied to my own life: whether it was food, or shampoo, cleaning supplies or deodorant.

While eco-fashion is niche and at times exclusive, eco-living is something that can benefit anyone and be inclusive to everyone.

It’s no secret that we are at a turning point in how we live. The pandemic has put a spotlight on the myriad issues within our healthcare system, education and yes, racial inequality.

It’s also no secret that COVID-19, as well as diseases like breast cancer and diabetes,  disproportionately affect the Black community and people of color.

While social distancing and mask-wearing are the repeated calls to action (and important to stop the spread of germs), we can protect our own health with greater access to clean living education.

I’m not talking about eating right or exercising daily. 

I’m talking about education when it comes to the ingredients in the products we use, wear and apply to our bodies daily.

There is so much that we don’t know about the products we use every day — we don’t know what brands to trust, which ingredients to avoid, what to switch to and which companies are greenwashing a lie.

For most people, it’s overwhelming to sift through research about toxins and parabens when we’re all just trying to make it through the day, put dinner on the table and get the kids to bed.

But here’s the thing: eco-living, clean living, sustainable living (whatever you want to call it) is more important than most of us know.

It’s not just about being kinder to our environment — it’s about being kinder to ourselves. 

And I want to share the easy changes I’ve made over the years that, in most cases, don’t cost more money or require that much more effort.

So, that’s what I’m working on this Fall — a passion project called The Clean Living Podcast.

I realized there wasn’t a podcast out there with easy-to-digest, no-shame tips about detoxing your home, food and beauty products. 

So the episodes will be less than 10 minutes with one quick tip that you can listen to while making dinner, folding laundry or waiting for someone to join a Zoom call ; ) 

In the coming weeks, I’ll share more about what’s gone into creating the show. 

I’ll also introduce you to the people I’ve been working with and probably ask for your input and opinions on some things.

To be honest, this has been one of the hardest projects I’ve worked on in a long time, but it’s something I know I need to do. So:

The Clean Living Podcast launches on October 21st, wherever you get your podcasts.

 

 

 

P.S. And no, I’m not abandoning sustainable fashion : ) Factory45 will open again in May 2021 and I’m still working hard with this year’s cohort of entrepreneurs. I think this new project is simply the next phase of my life’s work.

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