Nisolo: Creating Positive Social Impact Through Sustainable Fashion

It is no longer a surprise that in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, every day more and more businesses suffer at the hands of a chaotic global economic environment. An array of detrimental side effects is devastating workers across industries and communities all around the world. The global unemployment rate has increased, with some countries, including the U.S., reporting rates above 10–15%, a figure seen previously in only the worst economic recessions throughout history.

While 2020 has seen more hardships in the past seven months than we may care to remember, I have also noticed incredible acts of kindness and people coming together in support of one another and their communities. We have seen neighbors helping neighbors, businesses giving supplies and funds to aid frontline workers, and community programs recruiting thousands of volunteers to ensure individuals and families have the food and resources necessary to survive during this unsettling time.

One of the more incredible effects of this pandemic has been the positive impact on our environment. I recently read a scholarly article stating that “although a coronavirus vaccine is not available, coronavirus itself is earth’s vaccine and us humans are the virus”. The research in this article shows that air pollution has reduced considerably due to travel restrictions. Air and water quality have drastically improved in some of the most ecologically at-risk regions of the globe, helping revive previously disturbed and distressed wildlife populations in addition to reducing noise pollution. It begs the question — what can we do to support and protect our environment once this pandemic is over?

In light of this universal question, Nisolo, one of the companies that I have had the pleasure to connect with and provide investment opportunities, is doing its part to ensure social and environmental sustainability through intention and fair-trade practices.

Nisolo, meaning not alone in Spanish, is a Nashville-based fashion brand focused on providing exceptional design through sustainability. The brand aspires to create exceptionally designed, ethically sourced products that positively impact consumers, producers, and the environment. When presented with the opportunity to help fund Nisolo through our social impact investment organization, Denali Venture Philanthropy (Denali), I knew that this was the type of company and core mission that I wanted to support.

In 2011, Patrick Woodyard, co-founder and CEO of Nisolo, accepted a microfinance job that would take him to Trujillo, Peru, where he befriended some incredible shoemakers. Like many micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries, these local artisans faced many barriers to building a successful, profitable business, especially with such little access to the global market. After Woodyard’s research, he discovered that in the footwear industry in Peru, there were over 100,000 workers struggling to earn a living wage similar to the ones he met.

Sensing that there was an opportunity at hand, Woodyard developed a business plan and began presenting his idea to peers, former colleagues, professors, mentors, and other business owners to gain as much insight as possible into building a social impact brand. Now, almost a decade later, Nisolo offers beautiful and exceptionally made leather goods, including shoes and handbags, and has increased its offerings to include sustainably and ethically produced clothing in addition to face masks.

Nisolo is innovative in its social impact practices. The company participates in the Lowest Wage Challenge, which challenges companies within the fashion industry to openly publish their lowest wage, fostering transparency in how workers are treated across the industry.

Nisolo became a Certified B Corporation in 2017, which is evidence of the company’s dedication to meeting the rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency designated by B-Lab. Nisolo’s factories are frequently audited and the company is pursuing certifications to recognize their quality management and environmental responsibility practices therein.

Please check out Nisolo’s blog and you will see that they are committed to driving positive environmental change and are strong advocates for social justice, with goals to become a fully carbon-neutral business with a detailed action plan for racial equity.

As with many companies, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have provided a massive hurdle for Nisolo. In a recent company update, Woodyard announced that “This is not a fun update, but I don’t think there has ever been a greater need for honest conversation and connection between one another than right now.” He shared that while they have had to make the hard decision to reduce some of their staff, they know that if they want to be able to offer those jobs again, these tough decisions would have to be taken.

Nisolo is just one of the many incredible companies working to improve socio-economic vitality and environmental sustainability. It is my hope that when reading this, you will do a little research into Nisolo and similar companies before thinking about the ways in which you can support people with such dedication to support the most vulnerable and improve their quality of life.