Episode 90: The Art of the Flip Flop with Erin Smith
“I think we underestimate what we can bring to the table...I think it’s working through what is that passion and knowing you can make a difference.”
In this episode, Erin Smith, CEO of Ocean Sole who has a mission to rid the Indian Ocean of plastic while creating both social and economic opportunity out of the collected waste, joins us to share her story and how her call to adventure came with a mission. Erin also discusses:
2:00 - What is Ocean Sole?
3:10 - What is a B-certified business?
4:20 - How Ocean Sole started
6:05 - The Art of the Flip Flop
7:00 - Her background leading up to the start of the organization
10:45 - Her background as it relates to travel and adventure
13:45 - What is it about adventure that fills her
15:15 - How the environment plays into her journey
17:05 - Does she feel like she is living a purposeful life
18:25 - Has she consciously created this life
22:00 - The mission and values of Ocean Sole
24:20 - Life-sized pieces of art
26:35 - An overview of their operations
30:50 - What happens after they collect the flip flops
32:45 - Transformations she’s witnessed
35:25 - Stories of individuals who have been transformed by working with Ocean Sole
36:35 - How has Ocean Sole transformed her
38:40 - What is it like living between Florida and Kenya
40:40 - How can people get involved
43:15 - Will the flip flops ever run out?
45:10 - Advice she has for people looking to bring together their passions
46:50 - Who would play her in a Hollywood movie
You can learn more about Erin and Ocean Sole by visiting OceanSole.com.
See below for photos Erin shared from her work at Ocean Sole.
Watch the Full Behind The Scenes Episode
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