Vivobarefoot founder Galahad Clark on Community Led Business / Regenerative Business

“They [Clarks, Cadburys etc.] were building real communities and companies that provided real value to society.”

It was a genuine delight interviewing, Galahad Clark , cofounder of B Lab UK certified shoe manufacturer?Vivobarefoot as a part of the Building Better Business series for Guild .

Galahad describes himself as a 7th generation cobbler – his family founded the globally famous Clarks shoe brand in the 19th Century.

His Quaker ancestors would have been proud of his innovative approach to making shoes - ?steeped in a respect for nature, the planet and people.

Whether they would have been hanging out with and cobbling for the Wu Tang clan….well, who knows? [read the full article for more on this]

I interviewed Galahad in wearing a 10 year old pair of Vivobarefoot shoes that I love – ?proof that great manufacturing lasts: “oh yes, I remember them. They were an awesome design”.

We talked about:

• The power of community and being a community-led brand
• Entrepreneurship
• Crowdfunding as a springboard
• Vivos’ leadership business philosophies?including 'Regenerative Leadership' and and the ‘Vivo Way’
• Vivobarefoot 's impressive living systems business approaches** **These include regenerative footwear, Revivo - their repair and re-sell service, the Live Barefoot Fund ?supporting indigenous makers, and local-make-local cell model, using 3D printing, where smartphones can scan your foot and then local production cells can make shoes, bespoke to you in a completely circular way.

Galahad and his team's goal is to produce "regenerative footwear and experiences to bring you closer to nature", improve human health and have a minimal impact on the planet.

80% of their pre-tax profit is invested in its social and environmental projects which include initiatives around materials and the supply chain, recycling, health and the environment.

This interview is a must-read for business founders/entrepreneurs.

It should inspire those who have chosen a 'closer to nature' and community-led approach that they are doing the right thing:

"I think a lot of businesses end up “doing the wrong things righter”, rather than starting by doing the right thing.

I think just having that philosophical filter accurate in the first place is really important. Mother Nature is the boss is one of the things I always say."

And a final note from me…if you haven’t tried VivoBarefoot shoes yet, then this is your prompt!!

Both old trainers and new hiking boots are essential to my good posture, improving walking post knee operation and my general health. And they last FOREVER!!!

Thank you again Galahad. ??

Enjoy this long read on the Guild blog ??

Want to build a community-led business? Need support with your community strategy? DM me. I'm happy to chat and help you.

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