We're a Complimentary Solution
That means we're here to support your existing sustainability teams, not replace them. And…we get you to rethink your approach.
The Underswell is a transformation system.
For too long, brands have tried to activate sustainability initiatives first, before empowering themselves with resources and education.
Our approach reverses that.
We say:
Educate - Empower - Activate.
Educate first and Empower with resources, then move to Activation.
The Underswell Transformation Method
Our proven 10-point flow, the one we use for all our programs, goes like this:
- Learn the fundamentals (Educate)
- Familiarize yourself with the past (Educate)
- Accumulate reliable resources (Empower)
- Talk with your peers (Educate/Empower)
- Stay current and up to date (Empower)
- Learn from experts (Educate/Empower)
- Stay future-minded and forward-looking (Educate/Empower)
- Activate and apply what you’ve learned (Activate)
- Hold yourself accountable
- Communicate your efforts
Our industry is counting on you, and your sustainability department can’t do it alone. Let’s get the rest of your team fluent in the language of sustainability.
Schedule a Free Call to Get Started
Let’s spend 25 minutes getting to know each other and talking about where you or your team is at today in regards to sustainability and where you’d like to be in the future.
Schedule a Free Call to Get Started
This is a movement and there's nothing else like it.
Some backstory:
Back in 2009, as I settled into my assigned role as Head of Sustainability for the well-known, publicly-traded company, Volcom I realized that I had a lot to learn on the subject. So, like any good student, I got to work.
But, when I started to dive into industry reports, scour through editorials, attend conferences, and meet with specialists in the space, I constantly found myself asking, “Wait, what is that word? Who is that organization? What is that acronym? Who is that person?”
And, the more I dove in to teach myself, the more rabbit holes I discovered. I was unraveling a world of information that, while not new in and of itself, was completely new (if not foreign) to me.
With more than 10 years of industry experience at the time and a Master’s Degree in business from a top-ranked university (zot-zot!), I was feeling knocked back on my heels. I was constantly asking myself:
Finish the Story HereWhy do I not already know this?
Coaching, Not Consulting
Unlike traditional consulting, we focus on access to sustainability knowledge, understanding, and insights.
And there are three things we believe:
- Brands play a crucial role in solving the problems we face. Brands are made of people, and people are passionate about doing the right thing. They want to feel good about the business you’re doing and the products you’re making.
- Your entire team (not just your sustainability leads) should be empowered to take the actions necessary to not only understand the sustainability moves you are making but to also aid in making your brand a more sustainable brand.
- Future generations should have the same opportunities that we had to build great brands and products but in new and better ways. So let’s not leave a mess.
It’s time for us all to achieve confidence and competence in sustainability, and move our industry forward, together!
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“I have been a designer in the fashion industry for 13 years and I still learned things I never knew before I took The School of Understanding courses. It has helped my design and product development process from the materials I choose to how the garment is made. I can now teach my team on how we can make a better impact in our industry and to keep learning. Knowledge is power!”
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“Derek delivers with optimism, and constructive energy - on top of stark, fact-based science & study from progressive thought-leaders. Frankly, taking this course felt very empowering and ignited and a fresh fire in my soul.”
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“These courses are highly beneficial for anyone working in marketing/creative, design, sales, customer service/social media, production, sourcing and leadership. They are made for anyone keen on progressing their career and personal grasp of critically important global issues. The education provides a lens that truly throws a filter on every inch of your personal & professional life.”
Schedule a Free Call to Get Started
Let’s spend 25 minutes getting to know each other and talking about where you or your team is at today in regards to sustainability and where you’d like to be in the future.
Schedule a Free Call to Get Started