Ethical Entrepreneurship and Rural Roots
Jeremy interviews Erik Olson, CEO of Dignity Made, about his upbringing in rural Minnesota in a Scandinavian Lutheran household. Erik shares his experiences growing up in the church, his family traditions, and favorite memories, including road trips across the United States. He discusses how his upbringing instilled a sense of community, morality, and a desire to help others, which has influenced his career in ethical entrepreneurship and global impact.

From Business to Global Impact
Erik shares his journey from pursuing a business degree to serving in Iraq after college, where he gained valuable leadership experience. He then co-founded Dignity Made, working with his father-in-law to help communities in the Philippines through various initiatives including an orphanage, high school, technical school, and water filtration system.

Fair Marketplace for Coconut Farmers
Erik described the dire situation of coconut farmers in the Philippines, highlighting extreme poverty, exploitation, and debt traps that lead to human trafficking. He explains that Dignity Coconuts was established to address these issues by creating a fair marketplace for farmers, offering them better prices and alternative economic opportunities. Erik emphasized the importance of education in helping farmers understand the value of these opportunities and the dangers of predatory loans and false promises.

Water Filtration and Coconut Innovation
Erik shares his experience teaching about water filtration in developing countries, using a cake demonstration to illustrate the invisible presence of contaminants. He describes Dignity Made’s journey in developing a superior raw virgin coconut oil product through research and innovation, which led to winning a superior taste award and establishing fair trade practices. The company’s products, including lip balm and other coconut oil derivatives, have gained popularity for their health benefits and ethical sourcing, with Erik noting that new customer acquisition and repeat purchases help expand their farmer network.

Transforming Lives Through Proximity
Erik shares his journey from serving in churches to leading a business that transforms lives of farmers and their families, emphasizing the importance of care, hard work, and innovation. He highlights how his company’s unique product and proximity to farmers have fostered strong relationships and economic growth, including the development of local businesses. Erik stresses the value of listening and being proximate to the community, as well as the lessons he’s learned from Filipino culture about hospitality, resourcefulness, and the joy of giving.

Dignity Made: Empowering Farmers
Erik shares his journey with Dignity Made, highlighting how the company started with resourceful problem-solving and has grown to empower farmers and provide dignity to workers through their coconut oil business. He discusses how the company’s success has transformed the lives of workers in the Philippines, giving them a sense of pride and purpose. Erik also shares his personal faith journey and how the church has played a significant role in his life, providing guidance and support. The conversation concludes with a lightning round of personal questions, revealing Erik’s love for ultimate Frisbee, his favorite show “Severance,” and his hope for Dignity Made to inspire 2,000 business leaders to use their influence for good.

Visit https://dignitymade.com to learn more about Dignity Made.

The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services.

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