What if the clothes in your closet actually matched your values?
In this episode of Lead Like a Girl, we sit down with Tia Robinson, sustainability expert and Founder & CEO of Vertical Activewear, to talk about what’s really happening behind the scenes in the fashion industry—and how women leaders can drive meaningful change through intentional business.

Tia shares her journey from corporate life into building Georgia’s first B Corp–certified apparel manufacturer, why overproduction is one of the biggest problems in fashion today, and how on-demand manufacturing can radically reduce waste. This conversation goes beyond clothing—it’s about leadership, responsibility, and learning to align what you buy, build, and believe.

If you’ve ever wondered how your consumer choices matter, how purpose-driven businesses actually work, or how to lead with intention in a noisy, fast-moving world—this episode is for you.

• Sustainability in fashion starts with leadership decisions, not just trends

• Overproduction is one of the most damaging—and overlooked—issues in the apparel industry

• On-demand manufacturing dramatically reduces waste and excess inventory

• B Corp certification creates accountability for people, planet, and profit

• Mindfulness and curiosity are powerful tools for entrepreneurs and leaders

• Wearing your values is both a personal and professional statement

• Buying less—but better—has ripple effects across communities and supply chains

• “I want people to wear their values.”

• “Buy what you love and will actually wear.”

• “Stay curious and keep learning—it changes everything.”

Key TakeawaysSound Bites