elevating the status of reuse with dr nilofer christensen | conversations in cleantech | episode one

in this episode of conversations in cleantech, we’re joined by dr nilofer christensen, ceo and founder of swap-studio. nilo shares her insights into the opportunities and challenges that female-owned startups encounter, the chicken and egg conundrum when it comes to investment, the need to tackle sustainability from multiple angles, and the importance of building diverse teams. she also reflects on how swap-studio was created as a response to the immense waste from consumerism and the pollution of the planet as well as exploring the rewards of working in cleantech; “if people like us keep taking small steps forward, in the next decade, we will leave the planet in a much better state for the next generation - for my kids”. hosted by jenny gladman, director at brightsmith, this instalment is an informative listen for anyone seeking actionable insights on how innovators within the consumerism space can have a positive impact on the world and effect real, proactive change.   timestamped guide: 00:49 - introduction 02:33 – nilo’s background and how she lives her purpose 05:22 – why did the idea behind swaps-studio come from and why is the mindset shift that drives the business so important? 07:22- what are the challenges start-ups face and how can you overcome them? 09:27- the chicken and egg conundrum when it comes to investment and how the baselines differ for businesses owned by women 11.21 – how do you juggle your work life managing not just one but two startups and maintain a healthy home life? 14:15 – Inspiring people and sharing in a collective vision – “a company is in like-minded individuals will come together to achieve something bigger” 16.47 – trends in consumer behaviour and consumer choices 18:29 - how do you see the cleantech market evolving over the coming years 20:21 - how does it feel to know that you're driving something that has the potential to leave such a big impact on the planet? 21:21 – what’s your vision, what’s your dream? 22:56 – what are your top tips for people embarking on the cleantech journey?   connect with your host, jenny gladman, on linkedin. find your guest, dr nilofer christensen and swap-studio on linkedin thanks for listening to conversations in cleantech, brought to you by brightsmith. This podcast is a Loaded Hype production.