How This Female Entrepreneur Turned Used Tyres Into Decor Treasures

07/21/22 • 26 min

Today’s episode of Beyond the Green Line is hosted by one of our key consultants, Elizabeth Ogunsote. Elizabeth hosts a fascinating conversation about upcycling with entrepreneur Olabanke Subair, the accomplished owner and creative director of sustainable home decor company Cyrus45.

Cyrus45 upcycles non-biodegradable waste such as used tires in Lagos, Nigeria, turning them into artistic modern furniture. They won the 2018 ACE award for the Best Eco-friendly Product.

Today we hear what inspired Olabanke to build her company, what went in to starting her factory, and how she stays creatively inspired, 5 years in.

She explains how she resources used tires in Nigeria now that the business has grown, and shares a philosophical and inspiring commentary on what constitutes true creativity, and we can all tap into it as we reduce each of our own carbon footprints. We learn how problem-solving, innovation, and creativity interplay in Olabanke’s leadership style, and what’s coming next for one of her other businesses, Doodle Arts.

Elizabeth asks Olabanke about tire fires, and we hear how we can prevent raging land-fill fires and slow down the disposing of tires in those locations. Olabanke also shares about production, language and environmental challenges that the factory has faced, and how even that has prompted her to think about new designs.

Having created a handful of artistic start-ups as an “ecopreneur” and creative disruptor, Olabanke shares why Cyrus45 is her most meaningful accomplishment to date, and why she feels proud of where it’s heading in the future. She shares words of wisdom to future entrepreneurs about how to balance their creativity with patience and perseverance in order to survive the tedious ride.

Cyrus45 factory’s gloss-painted tires form the foundations for beautiful rocking chairs, classy glass end tables, and circular wall mirrors, so we encourage you to click on the links below and follow their amazing journey as a sustainable furniture store.

Follow Olabanke:

https://www.instagram.com/doodlegraphie/

Follow Olabanke’s company:

https://www.facebook.com/cyrus45factory/

https://twitter.com/cyrus45factory

Cyrus45 upcycles non-biodegradable waste such as used tires in Lagos, Nigeria, turning them into artistic modern furniture. They won the 2018 ACE award for the Best Eco-friendly Product.

Today we hear what inspired Olabanke to build her company, what went in to starting her factory, and how she stays creatively inspired, 5 years in.

Follow Olabanke:

https://www.instagram.com/doodlegraphie/

Follow Olabanke’s company:

https://www.facebook.com/cyrus45factory/

https://twitter.com/cyrus45factory

Previous Episode

Regenerative Agriculture – From Junkie Crops Looking For A Fix To Helping Mother Nature Rediscover Herself

Today on Beyond the Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey talks with regenerative agriculturist Dr. Charles Massy.
Charles became an advocate for regenerative agriculture after the infamous four-year draught of the late 70’s and early 80’s, when he transformed his personal approach from conventional farming to regenerative holistic management of his property on the Monaro.
He has now written three books, received an OAM, and maintained a chemical-free property for decades - one that boasts native grass in an area where surrounding farms have turned to dustbowls during recent droughts.
We hear all about his life-altering decision to transition to regenerative farming, the keys to his success in the process of restoring his soil, and his PhD research on some of the catalysts and destabilizing events that cause regenerative farmers begin to adopt the approach and turn their landscapes around.
Shonelle and Charles discuss the crucial topic of fertilizer, and how natural alternatives to chemical herbicides and pesticides - like worm juice and compost extract - can result in better nutrition and healthier soil.
Dr. Charles Massy defines regenerative agriculture succinctly by saying, “it’s working with biology and not against it.” He clarifies that every farmer’s biggest asset is the land, even above their animals or crops, and reminds us all that there is indeed a way to successfully utilize natural soil and graze animals in a sustainable and healthy way.
He asserts that nature’s self-organizing processes are far superior to our simplified, chemical-driven modern approach. By maximizing solar energy, protecting soil health, tending to the water cycle, ensuring biodiversity, and refraining from interfering nature’s timing, humans can become better stewards of land while harvesting more nutritious crops.
Charles explains that during the scientific revolution, humanity shifted to a “mechanical mind,” and distanced ourselves from nature. The combination of that more arrogant mindset with the invention of chemical fertilizers, big farming machinery, and motive for profit after World War II is what created the modern human ecosystem of farming in the form it exists today.
But, now that we’re more aware than ever of our climate and soil’s vulnerable state, a swing back to regenerative agriculture would have a huge positive impact on the planet as well as human health. Charles skillfully teaches us about the biology and carbon impact of different approaches to farming, and casts vision from where we can, and must, go from here.

Next Episode

The Early Stages and Pitfalls of Running An Environmental Consultancy

Today on Beyond the Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey talks with James Hammond, founder and CEO of 4Pillars Environmental Consulting.
James manages a 14-person team that provides a wide range of services in environmental management and compliance, contaminated waste solutions, and impact assessment.
James has a scientific and professional background, and a love for strategic environmental management. Shonelle asks about his journey to becoming an environmental consultant, and what his advice would be to young professionals that may want to enter into the field of consulting.
Getting his business off the ground included starting in a garage office, relying on grassroots word of mouth leads, and plenty of hard work. James made a decision to avoid being a sub-contractor under another companies, because he saw the advantage of only offering services directly to clients.
James describes the importance of building a support team and knowing your limits as a business owner, as well as patience and level-headed decision-making during the grind of building a business from scratch.
He implemented software and systems that would work even after the company grew, and always attempted to envision the end from the beginning. Whether a business owner’s end goal is passive income, getting acquired, or building a family legacy company, these differing end goals will effect strategic choices in the beginning stages.
James named his company 4Pillars because it operates under the presupposition that there are four pillars to sustainable development: environment, society, economy, and intergenerational equity. The pillars must be considered altogether in order to operate in ways that are responsible for tomorrow.
Shonelle and James discuss how some of 4Pillar’s current impact assessment projects are gathering their data and developing strategies for their clients. James shares that within cities, air, noise and water are usually the three focuses, whereas in more remote areas there are different priorities.
They reference the ongoing issue of asbestos contamination in soil, and the hope that policy consistency across different agencies and levels of government will move this important work in the right direction.
He talks about the times his assessments have resulted in avoidance recommendations, and how to present those types of recommendations effectively.
Volunteer work is often a part of the most effective environmental scientists and consultants, and James shares about his enthusiastic involvement with the Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand.
Today’s conversation also touches on the topic of green accounting and how it’s effecting the environmental consulting field.
This helpful interview with James Hammond is sure to be a source of inspiration for a lot of listeners, especially those who are starting out in the environmental consulting space.