GreenMe Podcast | Meet the Heroes of the Urban Green Scene

For this juicy episode, Claudi ventured out to meet Martin Elwert, co-founder of Coffee Circle (@coffee_circle), who are a certified B-Corp. We've been on a bit of a B-Corp tour in Berlin lately - in episode no.13 we chatted to the co-founder of soulbottles, which happens to be a B-Corp, too.

If you’re not sure what a B-Corp is, there’s a cool video explaining the whole concept in the shownotes for you...

QUICK FACTS ABOUT COFFEE CIRCLE

Coffee Circle is all about high-quality coffee that’s delivered right to your doorstep. They personally source top single origin coffee directly, from the highlands of Ethiopia, and meanwhile also from lesser known coffee nations like Laos or Myanmar. They follow strict principles and pay the farmers prices far above the world market. And they invest 1 Euro per kg of coffee into social projects in the growing regions, with 100% of all donations going into the projects.

So far, Coffee Circle had a positive impact on more than 39.000 people in the growing regions, raising 490.000 euros for their projects. They’re really transparent about this, you can read about each single project on their website. And they deeply believe in entrepreneurship as the driving force for development, which is also a key focus of our interview.

The green coffee is then shipped to Germany and roasted fresh here in their new roastery in Wedding, which is where we are right now. I tell ya, it smells damn good. The wild Wedding is definitely one of Berlin’s most contrasting and therefore also most exciting neighbourhoods. Man, I love to come up here. It’s much rougher than other areas - but it’s home to a nicely down down-to-earth artist & alternative scene. Perfect for roamers and explorers seeking for an authentic, pre-gentrified vibe, a bit more off the beaten path than Kreuzberg & co.

Recently we did one of our Circular Economy Tour & Dinner experiences here and it’s been one of my favorites, really. Speaking of Circular Economy Tours, if you’re interested in exploring what a world with zero waste could look like and how creative Berlin projects are trying to make it happen, make sure to join us on our next tour: it’s happening on the 9th November and this time we’ll visit some of the circular economy heroes in Prenzlauer Berg. It all ends with a yummy zero waste dinner, which is hosted by our friends at OAK & ICE. Come join us, meet a bunch of like-minded people, exchange crazy ideas about a greener future and make some really amazing connections within the Berlin scene. You can find all the details in the shownotes, on our Facebook page, in the events calendar, and then easily book your spot through Eventbrite, or shoot us an email to [email protected]

Switching back to Coffee Circle: You know, not only is coffee sth that many many people in the world drink... It’s also one of the commodities that created the biggest imbalance between the wealthy nations and the developing world, AND at the same time coffee is without a doubt one of the most famous and widely spread Fair Trade products in the world. So it’s a great idea to build a social business around that and magnify its possibilities to alleviate poverty. Which is exactly what Coffee Circle is doing.

What is a social business? It’s a business that is dedicating its entire purpose to solve a social problem. It’s not about profit, money is just the means to drive the business and its mission forward. It’s also often defined as new way of conscious capitalism. What excites me about it, is that it really has the power to address the most pressing problems of humanity, without being dependent on donations or fundraising. Now there’s lots of different models and definitions out there. I highly recommend reading “Building Social Business” by Muhammad Yunus, who is kind of a luminary in this field. He’s founded the Grameen Bank, a bank run exclusively for and by the poor. It’s really inspiring and visionary and it’s giving me SO many ideas... even though you may not agree with 100% everything - if you wanna learn more about the idea of Social Business, then check it out.

As for Coffee Circle, the impact these guys had within the last 7 years has been remarkable. One of the key takeaways from our chat was, that if you are running a sustainably-oriented business that serves a social purpose, you have to be not only as good as conventional businesses - you have to be better.

WHAT ELSE YOU LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• Some major traits that all social entrepreneurs should have...

Finally, I'm releasing the mysteriously missing show no. 4 - an episode from the early days that has never appeared in iTunes before...! I'll explain you more about the story behind that in the intro. Tune in as Claudi spoke to a super bad-ass guest: Benedict from Standert Bicycles in Berlin Mitte. Benedict is a very essential part of the Standert team, a total road bike & fixed gear devotee - and a real Berliner! How about that?! Since they started out in 2012, Standert Bicycles have created an awesome Berlin brand around bicycles they want to ride themselves. Their combo of

Since they started out in 2012, Standert Bicycles have created an awesome Berlin brand around bicycles they want to ride themselves. Their combo of store, showroom, workshop and café works super well and has kind of become an open & chillaxed meeting place for the Berlin bicycle tribe. Bicycles are such an essential part of our lives. Of Berlin life! We could not imagine to live in this city without our bikes. For us, it stands for freedom, independence... and Claudi actually often has her best ideas while riding a bike! Plus, it fits perfectly into the eco- & health conscious mindset of many Berliners...

In this episode, you'll learn more about:

• What is the story behind Standert Bicycles & why it is written with "-ert"
• How a bike store turned into a hub for the Berlin cycling scene - What they do to grow a community & get people excited to ride together
• Why it is important to build and sell only the things you love
• What we need to do to help building a friendly & peaceful coexistence of cars and cyclists in Berlin

It’s always a good time for a bike, so make sure to pop by at Standert's store, even if it’s just for a quick coffee and a round of “awwwe” looking at their bikes. They’re super easy going and always up for a chat. Hop on your bikes (or the metro if you have to) and come over!

Check out the full interview including transcript on: www.greenmeberlin.com/podcast-standert-bicycles

As always, you can find all the details in the transcript, and of course, you can find them on the GreenMe BLN map: www.greenmeberlin.com/map

If you’re not in yet, sign up for the GreenMe Berlin newsletter and you’ll not only get notified when the next inspiring interview is ready. You’ll also get to download a Best of Guide to some of my favorite places (hint: Standert is in there, too): www.greenmeberlin.com/newsletter

Don't forget: it would be a huge help for me if you could hop over to iTunes and leave me a short review. Tell me how you like the show, it’s what I need to keep me going.

Thanks SO much for listening, hope you have a beautiful day - and remember to keep it green !

My guest today is Lisa Jaspers, a passionate social entrepreneur that inspires me so much! She ditched her secure job at one of the worlds biggest charity organizations to follow her heart and start her own ethical brand, FOLKDAYS.

FOLKDAYS is a Berlin-based fashion label that empowers artisans from some of the remotest corners in the world to make a living through their handmade crafts. Each time I walk into the store here in Kreuzberg, it’s like going on a little journey to far away lands and cultures. It’s spreading a very positive, colorful, dreamy vibe and takes me to places like Turkey, Cambodia, Nepal, India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt, Palestine, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru - in total there are 26 artisans from 18 countries involved.

Every team member of FOLKDAYS is happy to share the unique stories behind each piece. Lisa even knows all artisans in person, as she travels out to those hidden corners, searching for the most talented craftspeople - and gives them a reason to believe into themselves and their incredible talent.

Apart from sharing the story of how this beautiful label was born and the “what, “how” & of course, especially the “why” behind FOLKDAYS, we also touched into some very personal topics.

You'll learn about:

• How to get noticed as a social brand in an overloaded market like fashion
• What it means to be a female entrepreneur - and why we need more of them
• Why we need to learn to believe in ourselves & our skills (no matter if in Bangladesh or Europe)
• Stories of travelling on the surface vs. travelling deep
• What moved Lisa to the point where she wanted to stop travelling
• Why you’ll never be a good entrepreneur if you’re a perfectionist
• What’s so important about surrounding yourself with the right people
• Why we are often our own worst enemy & How to keep up your energy as a small business owner
• The importance of visual communication and storytelling for green brands
• What are the next steps in the FOLKDAYS story
• The advantages - and the challenges - of starting a sustainable brand in Berlin
• What makes Berlin “Berlin” & the effects of living in peaceful chaos

You see, there’s a whole lot to get out of this! I had a blast talking to this inspiring woman and left the store full of motivation and new ideas - and I’m pretty sure you’ll feel the same.

Make sure to swing by at the store in Manteuffelstraße in Kreuzberg as soon as you can. And until then, soothe your curiosity and wanderlust by checking out the beautiful journal on www.folkdays.com

Check out the full interview including pictures and show notes on: www.greenmeberlin.com/podcast-folkdays

If you enjoyed this episode, share it out with your friends - and I ALWAYS love to hear from you too. So send me any thoughts, questions or feedback. Either as a comment on www.greenmeberlin.com/podcast-folkdays, or message me on Facebook, Twitter, send me an Email, whichever you feel most comfortable with.

BEFORE YOU GO, I got a little secret to announce already: I’m teaming up again with my friend Ari from the Green Fashion Tours and we’ll be hosting our 2nd Circular Economy Tour + Zero Waste Dinner, this time in Wedding. It’s happening on the 17th August here in Berlin. If you’re interested in joining, watch out on www.greenmeberlin.com/events, as we’ll put all the details live over the weekend.

If you wanna stay up to date with the latest interviews, green events and fresh content from me and my explorations through Berlin’s green scene, sign up for my monthly newsletter. I got a little thank you if you do so, I’ll send you my little best-of guide to 7 of my favorite eco-minded places in the city. To get it, just go over to www.greenmeberlin.com/newsletter

Last quick shout out: As always, it would be a huge help for me if you could hop over to iTunes and leave me a short review... It’s what keeps me and the show going. Thank YOU!

Now, go out & have an amazing day. And remember to keep it green!

Lars Zimmermann (@bricktick) is the founder of the OSCEdays (Open Source Circular Economy) in Berlin. What are the OSCEdays? Well, I think these guys are really creating our future here. From 29th June to 2nd July, they’ll explore how a city without waste would look like. That includes one of my favorite topics: food. Plus, it’s about zero-waste consumption, upcycling fashion, circular design, architecture and so on...

The program is full of panels, talks & hands-on workshops on issues like package-free shopping, growing your own mushrooms on waste, compost worms, dying clothes with leftover food, making your own soaps from old frying fat - I know sounds weird - and SO much more. Some of my favorite projects in the city are part of it, too, like Original Unverpackt, the Guerilla Architects with their MehrWert zero waste restaurant, the Tempelhof Community Garden Allemende-Kontor, the guys from Restlos Glücklich, the passionate team of Isla Coffee and and and...

Good news: I got 5 FREE 4-day tickets for you. More info & the link below :)

The Circular Economy topic grabbed my attention while ago, in a sense of: we’re in a throw-away society and there’s so much stuff already produced out there in the world that we don’t even need or use... What are creative ways to re-use, reduce, recycle?

But the Open Source part? To be honest: Before I talked to Lars, the whole idea sounded interesting, but was still kind of abstract in my mind. But Lars really managed to change that. I am super grateful and excited how this interview turned out & hope that it will do the same to you and spur your curiosity for the future.

Lars is an artist AND an economist from Berlin - such an unusual combination, isn’t it? He develops projects like the Open Source Circular Economy Days but also many more. He consults companies and NGOs. He does public speaking. And he also blogs and publishes articles in books and journals. All about Lars

The way he looks at the world and understands the way things work are SUPER fascinating. Listening back in I have tons of more questions - but luckily, Lars and his team are putting on the OSCEdays, that will surely give me an answer to many of them! It’d be great to see you there.

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My friends, I got something for you: the OSCE team gave me 5 FREE TICKETS for the event for YOU guys! It’s a first come first serve → get your free ticket HERE.

If you wanna do me a little favor in return, then hop over to iTunes and leave me a short review, just tell me how you like the show - that’d make me SUPER happy. But it’s no must to get the free tickets, as I said, I’m putting the link out there and who ever is quickest wins :)

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WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

*What is behind the idea of open source circular economy

*What is happening at the OSCEdays Berlin

*How an artist & economist sees the world - and how he wants to change it

*Why the internet is a huge driver for a waste free world

*How a global hackathon turned into a hands-on experience for everyone *Why people in Berlin are naturally more ready to take high risks

*Why growth isn’t always the best way: shifting from quality to quantity

*What makes the OSCEdays different this year

*How abstract concepts can be brought to our everyday lives

*The impact of Berlin & its people on letting the community thrive

*How Berlin’s creative scene tries to keep its energy & free vibe alive

*Why creative, unconventional ideas will always find a way

“It’s a tough nut to crack, but just throw your brains on it. And if there’s enough brains on it, then maybe the nut will crack” - Lars Zimmermann

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SHOWNOTES:

• Lars Zimmermann
• OSCEdays
• OSCEdays program
• The CRCLR House
• Circular Economy Tour & Dinner on 13th July
• Sam Muirhead
• Chaos Communication Congress
• Material Mafia
• OSCEdays forum (how to contribute)
• Definition open source
• 5x 4-day ticket FOR FREE

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MORE LINKS:

www.gree...

A warm welcome to session no. 9 of the GreenMe Berlin podcast. And warm is desperately needed right now - it’s been snowing here in Berlin this week. In the middle of April! That my friends, drives me even more to do the best that I possibly can to stop climate change and help keeping this planet healthy.

But, when I think about this dedicated social entrepreneur duo that I’m introducing you to today, my heart is instantly getting much warmer. I cannot wait to share the story of Conflictfood with you.

Through one single ingredient, that is grown in a global crisis region, they are opening our eyes for a different story about countries like Afghanistan or Palestine. One that the media don’t tell. And at the same time, help small local farmers to earn a living in a sustainable way.

The interview with Conflictfood really touched me, as it deeply links to what I believe in. They show us another side of the world, tell us positive stories of joy and lust for life!

If you want to support Conflictfood, the easiest thing to do so is a) to buy their product and b) even easier, to share this episode out with your friends and anyone you think should know about this, too.

You'll find the full transcript of this interview and the show notes at www.greenmeberlin.com/podcast-conflictfood. So check it out & get in touch with Salem & Gernot.

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Show notes (excerpt):

- www.conflictfood.com

Social Impact Lab

Migration Hub

Book of Joy

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As always, you’d make me super happy if you subscribe to the podcast and leave me a little review on iTunes. It helps me to keep going and would just be a wonderful support from your side. Thanks soooo much.

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One more news from my side: if you’re in Berlin on the 29th April, I’m doing a green tour through my home kiez, South Neukölln, where I wanna show you the amazing eco-minded projects that this area is really filled with. We’ll say hi and chat to the founders of some creative sustainable food concepts, ethical fashion stores and transformed spaces. And get an insight into their work and why they do it. So if you’re in town, I’d be really happy if you join. It’ll take around 3-3.5hours and costs 25 euros. Spots are very limited, cause I think it’s much better in a small group. And you can find all the info and tickets here on my Facebook page.

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Last shout out, promise: if you wanna stay up to date with the latest interviews, green events and fresh content from me and my explorations around going green in Berlin, then sign up for my monthly newsletter. I got a little thank you if you do so, I’ll send you a best-of guide to 7 of my favorite eco-minded places in the city. To get it, just go over to www.greenmeberlin.com/newsletter.

That's it! Thanks so much for listening! Have an amazing day & remember to keep it green :)