"These apparel brands need to be in a place where they realize that they're more than just selling rags to customers..."

Jeff Denby is the co-founder of The Renewal Workshop. His passion for sustainability in the apparel industry drove him to develop a new business model that diverts apparel bound for landfill to The Renewal Workshop facility where it can be renewed and enjoyed by consumers again. In this episode, Jeff reflects on the past, present and future of the apparel industry through the lens of sustainability. He emphasizes how both the COVID crisis and consumer awareness are driving immediate innovation in this archaic system.

Prior to The Renewal Workshop, Jeff was the co-Founder of PACT, an apparel brand that aims to change the apparel industry for good. PACT makes organic cotton basics in a transparent supply chain that aims to improve the lives of the farmers who grow the organic cotton and the workers who make the clothing. He managed supply chain, product development, and brand creative, while leading business development with key retailers. He led PACT through concept, fundraising, development, launch, acquisition, and growth spanning the full venture lifecycle of building a successful brand in the apparel industry. PACT has gone from selling its first collection of organic underwear online to a full-scale lifestyle brand available in more than 500 retail outlets with partners such as Whole Foods, Nordstrom, and Amazon.

THIS EPISODE IS PART 1 of 2