Edwin Keh

Innovating Closed Loop Fashion and Textiles in Hong Kong | The Mills Fabrica, Edwin Keh

In this episode of Entrepreneurs For Good, I speak with Edwin Keh about the work that he is doing at Mills Fabrica to develop and support innovations that will drive circularity in the fashion and textiles, and speak about various steps along his career path have led him to where he is.

About Entrepreneurs For Good Series:
Through this series, we speak with Asia based entrepreneurs whose mission it is to bring solutions to the environmental, social, and economic challenges that are faced within the region to learn more about their vision, the opportunities they see, and challenges that they have had to overcome.

It is a series that we hope will not only engage and inspire you, but catalyze you and your organizations into action. To identify a challenge that is tangible, and build a business model (profit or non) that brings a solution to the market

About Edwin:
Edwin Keh is the CEO of The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel. He is also on Faculty at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology where he teaches supply chain operations.

Until April 2010 Edwin was the SVP COO of Wal-Mart Global Procurement. Edwin co-founded the Consortium For Operational Excellence in Greater China (COER GC) sponsored by the Wharton School and Tsinghua University.

Edwin had a career as senior executive with several US consumer goods and retail companies. He was the Managing Director of Payless Shoesource International, Donna Karan International, and Country Road Australia. He also worked for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

Edwin serves on multiple industry and educational boards. He advises several other social enterprises.

Follow Edwin:
Website: http://www.themillsfabrica.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edwin.keh
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwin-keh-b8618b2/

About Rich:
Driven by the belief that change begins with a single step, Richard Brubaker has spent the last 15 years in Asia working to engage, inspire, and equip those around him to take their first step. Acting as a catalyst to driving sustainability, Brubaker works with government, corporate, academic and non-profit stakeholders to bring together knowledge, teams, and tools that develop and execute their business case for sustainability.

Follow Rich:
Website: http://www.richbrubaker.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.brubaker
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richbrubaker
Instagram: https://instagram.com/richbrubaker
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/richbrubaker

Contact Rich:
[email protected]

#Sustainability #innovation #Entrepreneurship


Communicating With Your Team | Behind The Grind, Episode 024

As COVID moves from "its a flu" that will pass to "we are hoping to be open by Q4", the need for entrepreneurs and businesses to rethink everything is now.

About the Behind The Grind Series:
Through this podcast series, Brian and I will speak about the realities (as we know them) of entrepreneurship.

Videos will be available every Saturday, and audience participation is HIGHLY encouraged!

About Rich
Driven by the belief that change begins with a single step, I've spent the last 15 years in Asia working to engage, inspire, and equip those around him to understand their power to leverage innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership to solve "the big" challenges cities face.

Currently, as the Managing Director of Collective Responsibility, Executive Director of HandsOn China, and a Visiting Professor of Sustainability at the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), I'm focused on building platforms that promote long term organizational capacity to address the economic, environmental, and social hurdles that China faces as the country’s economic growth accelerates.

Follow Rich:
Website: http://www.richbrubaker.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.brubaker
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richbrubaker
Instagram: https://instagram.com/richbrubaker
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/richbrubaker

About Brian:
Brian Tam leads corporate teams through FIRST TIME EVER challenges. From new business models to fresh brands, as CEO of Let's Make Great! he guides multinational companies in China to systematically create the future and explore uncertainties.

He's the mind behind PROTO Innovation Cards and the author of Awrignawl Creativity.

Born in New York, and proudly raised in New Jersey - he has been in China since 2007, working to drive the fantastic change that is happening in China & the world. Let's Make Great!

Follow Brian:
Website: http://www.letsmakegreat.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brian.tam.56211
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamonline/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/letsmakegreat/

#BehindtheGrind #Entrepreneurship #coronavirus


COVID19 Challenge

Accept the COVID19 Challenge | Episode 013

Regardless of whether or not you believe COVID19 is a hoax, the cure is worse than the disease, or we need to stay at home for 18 more months, it is time to accept the COVID19 challenge for what it is and begin making plans for moving forward.

In doing so, I lay out my vision for how COVID-19 will potentially disrupt everything I had planned to do this year, and what I am going to do about it.

It is a process that , without years of experience as an entrepreneurial, I can safely say would be VERY difficult to process as the emotions of the time would likely be clouding my judgement.

However, as I have experienced nearly every challenge possible over the last 15 years of running businesses and charities, I am finding clarity in the process and have a pretty good idea of what the options are and what I need to do.

That is not to say it will be easy, but unlike 10 years ago, I am seeing this time (and process) as just another part of the journey, and I hope that my quick rant will help you reset yourself and get ready for the disruptions that you are able to see.. and maybe think of a few others that were once hidden from view.

 

About Me:
Driven by the belief that change begins with a single step, I've spent the last 15 years in Asia working to engage, inspire, and equip those around him to understand their power to leverage innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership to solve "the big" challenges cities face.

Currently, as the Managing Director of Collective Responsibility, Executive Director of HandsOn China, and a former Adjunct Professor of Sustainability at the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), I'm focused on building platforms that promote long term organizational capacity to address the economic, environmental, and social hurdles that China faces as the country’s economic growth accelerates.

Follow Me:
Website: http://www.richbrubaker.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.brubaker
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richbrubaker
Instagram: https://instagram.com/richbrubaker
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/richbrubaker

Contact Me:
[email protected]

#Richbrubaker #socialentrepreneur #socialinnovation


Grit & Tenacity

Entrepreneurs Need Grit & Tenacity | Behind The Grind, Episode 023

Entrepreneurship, regardless of an external crisis like COVID-19, is a journey, and through this Episode of Behind the Grind, Brian Tam and I spent the time to think about "whether it's worth it" and the need for entrepreneurs to have grit & tenacity.

I think this will be really valuable to anyone who is looking at their P&L right now and wondering whether or not they should press on as an entrepreneur when it all clears.

Spoiler alert. I say it is.

But, it took me a long time to be comfortable with the path.

About the Behind The Grind Series:
Through this podcast series, Brian and I will speak about the realities (as we know them) of entrepreneurship.

Videos will be available every Saturday, and audience participation is HIGHLY encouraged!

About Rich
Driven by the belief that change begins with a single step, I've spent the last 15 years in Asia working to engage, inspire, and equip those around him to understand their power to leverage innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership to solve "the big" challenges cities face.

Currently, as the Managing Director of Collective Responsibility, Executive Director of HandsOn China, and a Visiting Professor of Sustainability at the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), I'm focused on building platforms that promote long term organizational capacity to address the economic, environmental, and social hurdles that China faces as the country’s economic growth accelerates.

Follow Rich:
Website: http://www.richbrubaker.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.brubaker
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richbrubaker
Instagram: https://instagram.com/richbrubaker
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/richbrubaker

About Brian:
Brian Tam leads corporate teams through FIRST TIME EVER challenges. From new business models to fresh brands, as CEO of Let's Make Great! he guides multinational companies in China to systematically create the future and explore uncertainties.

He's the mind behind PROTO Innovation Cards and the author of Awrignawl Creativity.

Born in New York, and proudly raised in New Jersey - he has been in China since 2007, working to drive the fantastic change that is happening in China & the world. Let's Make Great!

Follow Brian:
Website: http://www.letsmakegreat.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brian.tam.56211
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamonline/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/letsmakegreat/

#BehindtheGrind #Entrepreneurship #coronavirus


fitfam

Revolutionizing the Fitness Community in China | Vy Vu, Fitfam

In this episode of Entrepreneurs For Good, I speak with Vy Vu about how the organization she helped launch, FitFam, went from a handful of friends working out together in a local park to hundreds of participants getting up regularly to participate in more than 50 weekly events.

Through our conversation, we focused a lot on how to build a community, and the challenge of building a business model around it where the interests of the community remain front and center.

Topics I believe are critical at this time.

About Entrepreneurs For Good Series:
Through this series, we speak with Asia based entrepreneurs whose mission it is to bring solutions to the environmental, social, and economic challenges that are faced within the region to learn more about their vision, the opportunities they see, and challenges that they have had to overcome.It is a series that we hope will not only engage and inspire you, but catalyze you and your organizations into action.To identify a challenge that is tangible, and build a business model (profit or non) that brings a solution to the market.

About Rich:
Driven by the belief that change begins with a single step, Richard Brubaker has spent the last 15 years in Asia working to engage, inspire, and equip those around him to take their first step.

Acting as a catalyst to driving sustainability, Brubaker works with government, corporate, academic and non-profit stakeholders to bring together knowledge, teams, and tools that develop and execute their business case for sustainability.

Follow Rich
Website: http://www.richbrubaker.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.brubaker
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richbrubaker
Instagram: https://instagram.com/richbrubaker
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/richbrubaker

Contact Rich
[email protected]

#richbrubaker #SocialEntrepreneurship #fitness


Re-Balancing and Reflecting Through the COVID-19 Crisis | Behind The Grind, Episode 022

Hope you are all having a good weekend!

In this episode of Behind the Grind, Brian Tam and I talk through the challenge of balancing the anxiety around feeling that we need to be productive (i..e hustle), the emotions of the time, and the need/ want to reflect on it all.

It is a conversation we know reflects the challenges that others are facing as well, and we'd love to hear from you on the challenges you are facing with this or how you are striking a balance.

About the Behind The Grind Series:
Through this podcast series, Brian and I will speak about the realities (as we know them) of entrepreneurship.

Videos will be available every Saturday, and audience participation is HIGHLY encouraged!

About Rich
Driven by the belief that change begins with a single step, I've spent the last 15 years in Asia working to engage, inspire, and equip those around him to understand their power to leverage innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership to solve "the big" challenges cities face.

Currently, as the Managing Director of Collective Responsibility, Executive Director of HandsOn China, and a Visiting Professor of Sustainability at the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), I'm focused on building platforms that promote long term organizational capacity to address the economic, environmental, and social hurdles that China faces as the country’s economic growth accelerates.

Follow Rich:
Website: http://www.richbrubaker.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.brubaker
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richbrubaker
Instagram: https://instagram.com/richbrubaker
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/richbrubaker

About Brian:
Brian Tam leads corporate teams through FIRST TIME EVER challenges. From new business models to fresh brands, as CEO of Let's Make Great! he guides multinational companies in China to systematically create the future and explore uncertainties.

He's the mind behind PROTO Innovation Cards and the author of Awrignawl Creativity.

Born in New York, and proudly raised in New Jersey - he has been in China since 2007, working to drive the fantastic change that is happening in China & the world. Let's Make Great!

Follow Brian:
Website: http://www.letsmakegreat.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brian.tam.56211
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamonline/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/letsmakegreat/

#BehindtheGrind #Entrepreneurship #coronavirus


Illac Diaz

Delivering Community-Based Solutions | Illac Diaz, Liter of Light

In this episode of Entrepreneurs For Good, I speak with Illac Diaz about the work that he is doing at Liter of Light, and how he is building a business model that helps communities move forward. It is a business model rooted in his belief that communities can solve their own problems, but in helping them, he creates a problem (that he must solve) for his own business model.

About Entrepreneurs For Good Series:
Through this series, we speak with Asia based entrepreneurs whose mission it is to bring solutions to the environmental, social, and economic challenges that are faced within the region to learn more about their vision, the opportunities they see, and challenges that they have had to overcome.

It is a series that we hope will not only engage and inspire you, but catalyze you and your organizations into action. To identify a challenge that is tangible, and build a business model (profit or non) that brings a solution to the market

About Illac:
Illac Diaz is a social entrepreneur working to empower communities through pioneering programs. His name ‘Illac’, that was given to him at birth, is an Aztec term meaning ‘god of light’, which is just coincidence. Illac founded the MyShelter Foundation in 2006 to promote grassroots sustainable development through capacity-building and employment-generating projects.

Follow Illac
Website: https://literoflight.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illacancellotti.diaz

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ildiaz/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/illacdiaz

About Rich:
Driven by the belief that change begins with a single step, Richard Brubaker has spent the last 15 years in Asia working to engage, inspire, and equip those around him to take their first step. Acting as a catalyst to driving sustainability, Brubaker works with government, corporate, academic and non-profit stakeholders to bring together knowledge, teams, and tools that develop and execute their business case for sustainability.

Follow Rich
Website: http://www.richbrubaker.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.brubaker
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richbrubaker
Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/richbrubaker
Instagram: https://instagram.com/richbrubaker
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/richbrubaker

Contact Rich
[email protected]

#EntrepreneursForGood #SocialEntrepreneurship #Innovation


Take Advantage

Take Advantage of the COVID19 Crisis | Behind the Grind, Episode 021

As COVID moves from "its a flu" that will pass to "we are hoping to be open by Q4", the need for entrepreneurs and businesses to rethink everything and take advantage is now.

For Brian Tam and I, where we are 3 months into our businesses (and lives) being disrupted, this has led to us to look at our businesses, products, and people. To come up with new products, processes, and management structure, and to try things out.

It has been uncomfortable at times, but it has also been a time where big ideas can develop.

About the Behind The Grind Series:
Through this podcast series, Brian and I will speak about the realities (as we know them) of entrepreneurship.

Videos will be available every Saturday, and audience participation is HIGHLY encouraged!

About Rich
Driven by the belief that change begins with a single step, I've spent the last 15 years in Asia working to engage, inspire, and equip those around him to understand their power to leverage innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership to solve "the big" challenges cities face.

Currently, as the Managing Director of Collective Responsibility, Executive Director of HandsOn China, and a Visiting Professor of Sustainability at the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), I'm focused on building platforms that promote long term organizational capacity to address the economic, environmental, and social hurdles that China faces as the country’s economic growth accelerates.

Follow Rich:
Website: http://www.richbrubaker.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.brubaker
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richbrubaker
Instagram: https://instagram.com/richbrubaker
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/richbrubaker

About Brian:
Brian Tam leads corporate teams through FIRST TIME EVER challenges. From new business models to fresh brands, as CEO of Let's Make Great! he guides multinational companies in China to systematically create the future and explore uncertainties.

He's the mind behind PROTO Innovation Cards and the author of Awrignawl Creativity.

Born in New York, and proudly raised in New Jersey - he has been in China since 2007, working to drive the fantastic change that is happening in China & the world. Let's Make Great!

Follow Brian:
Website: http://www.letsmakegreat.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brian.tam.56211
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamonline/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/letsmakegreat/

#BehindtheGrind #Entrepreneurship #coronavirus