with Eric Henry, TS Designs
Ep. #217 of The Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Podcast
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In a post-pandemic world, what’s the value of a dirt-to-shirt supply chain?
Today’s guest is Eric Henry, President of TS Designs, and he believes that now, more than ever, businesses need to take an increasingly holistic view of their responsibility to the planet and society as a whole.
TS Designs is a business-to-business screen printing company, a certified B-corporation, and has its origins all the way back in the ’70s. They manage a domestic and transparent supply chain to produce the highest quality, most sustainable t-shirts on the market and have recently expanded to start Solid State Clothing, which now provides these straight to the customer.
With more than 40 years in the apparel industry, Eric works hard to keep farmers in the conversation, and this episode spans the gambit around supply chains, with a focus on the massive value and resilience in hyper-local supply chains.
The full transcript for this episode and more can be found at SocialEntrepreneurship.FM/217.
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It was a wonderful pleasure to have spoken with Eric Henry, the President of TS Designs.
Eric is on a mission to make the absolute best t-shirt you’ll ever wear.
But how Eric defines “best” might be a bit different than the norm.
Of course, his shirts are made to be comfortable and durable with a classic look.
However, his pursuit to make the “best” t-shirt possible also means he’s making a t-shirt that is:
(Eric’s Retail Brand)
as sustainable as can be.
as transparent as can be.
Eric wants you to be able to know EXACTLY how your t-shirt was made…
Who touches it along the production process…
Even what DIRT the organic cotton that was harvested to make the shirt was grown in (AND what that farmer’s name is).
Eric calls this a “dirt-to-shirt” supply chain.
In our latest podcast episode, you’ll find out how (& why) he’s built it as well as:
- What impact the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement had on Eric’s business and entire U.S. apparel industry
- The value in supporting a local economy
- Why Eric believes that sustainability is a journey and where he & TS Designs are on that journey.
As always, don’t forget to sign up for my Better World Weekly Newsletter. This is a newsletter where I share all my learnings and musings on all things building a better world.
Enjoy,
-Cory Ames
Host, The Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Podcast
“If you’re only going to bring price to the table, then sure, you’re going to win. But if you want to bring price, people, and planet to the table, I’m ready to talk, and I think we’ll win that battle. And hopefully, we’ll win the war.”
— Eric Henry, TS Designs
Watch/Listen:
Links & Resources Mentioned
- Eric Henry on LinkedIn
- TS Designs on Twitter and Instagram
- Solid State Clothing on Facebook and Instagram
- Mid-Course Correction by Ray Anderson
- Farm To Feet
- Burlington Beer Works
- Cory Ames on LinkedIn and Twitter
Related & Recommended
If you liked this interview, you might like these articles/interviews as well:
- (Interview) How to Measure, Manage, & Create a Sustainable Fashion Supply Chain, with Mandeep Soor
- (Article) The 15 Most Environmentally Friendly & Sustainable Companies (2022)
- (Interview) What is the True Cost of the Fashion Industry? With Andrew Morgan
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About the Host
Cory Ames
Co-Founder & CEO, Grow Ensemble
Cory is the host of The Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Podcast, where he’s interviewed well over 150 leaders in the space of better business, social impact, and innovation. Prior to Grow Ensemble, Cory was the CEO of a digital marketing agency, a position he earned at the age of 22. There, he became an expert on all things digital marketing & SEO.
Cory Co-Founded Grow Ensemble as a vehicle to raise awareness of and inspire action around some of the world’s biggest problems and problem solvers.
He blogs, podcasts, and publishes video on all things leaving the world a better, more just, equitable, and habitable place for all.
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