JULIE SCHNEIDERMAN - Founder, EcoStiks

INTERVIEW BY ETHAN (chapter links below)
Reporter's Perspective by Ethan:
In this interview, Julie Schneiderman told us about her journey in founding EcoStiks, a successful, sustainable patch company. After meeting Julie and hearing her speak at a climate event, I was inspired and had to hear more. During this interview, Julie describes her history as an environmentalist, entrepreneur, and lawyer, her inspiration, goals, history, leaving me inspired and motivated to get outside and make an environmental impact.
Chapters:
00:00 - Can you tell me a little bit about EcoStiks, please?
00:24 - What have been your greatest challenges starting EcoStiks?
01:06 - Early on you said “…small waves make big waves.” Is that still holding true, would you say?
02:14 - You started off as a lawyer for corporations. How did you make the switch over? That must have been a pretty difficult transition.
02:46 - …What inspired you to make the initial transition?
04:28 - …What advice would you give your former self?
05:25 - You’ve created a community around a lot of different artists, and especially female artists, who are working to make use of the blank canvases that you see everywhere, like on clothing and water bottles. How would you say that’s working for you?
06:44 - You’ve said that you make a lot of your patches with recycled plastic. How do you source that plastic? That seems a little difficult.
07:24 - As an entrepreneur you’ve got to have lots of different skill sets. What do you think have been the most valuable to you over this journey?
08:00 - You were in an organization called “Women’s Economic Ventures”. How have Women’s Economic Ventures supported you over time?
08:25 - What would you say your biggest source of inspiration is for EcoStiks…and life?
09:18 - How do you think you can grow with your spreading awareness [about the ocean] and spreading inspiration?
10:33 - Do you feel that there is competition between sticker and patch brands?
11:28 - How did you initially come to be passionate about the environment and switch tacks from a patch company to an environmental-supporting patch company? What was the change there?
13:04 - What would you say the biggest thing you learned from the CEC climate change course is? What message would you like everyone to know about that course?
13:55 - What homework assignment would you give me, or the whole entire school, if you could give everyone a homework assignement?
14:28 - How has nature been an outlet or an inspiration for you over the years?
15:09 - Being in nature as a second home, or even as a first home… What do you think of the idea of living in houses and cities…what do you think of that notion?
16:03 - When you were in college you spent a semester at sea. What were some of the most inspirational places you’ve been to?
18:42 - These stickers…make me want to skip math class and go swimming in the ocean!
19:18 - How would you say you came to find nature as a place for self expression and a second home?
20:04 - You put a lot of emphasis on spreading circles and connecting with people. What would you say some of the most influential connections or groups you have started have been?
21:04 - Congratulations on your award…
21:55 - How far would you say your spreading of EcoStiks across other communities has gone?
22:55 - What’s a way that your local community can support EcoStiks in its journey?
24:01 - So you said you moved from your spot in Santa Barbara down to San Diego. How has that change affected you and your lifestyle?
25:17 - …Starting a company in your garage…that must have been a lot of work. Now that it’s in San Diego, what are some of the hats you wear?
26:06 - How would you say teamwork and community connections have played a role in the growth of EcoStiks?
27:12 - What would you say draws you to hiking and yoga and surfing?
28:15 - How would you say homeostasis, in an emotional way, has played a role in your life?
30:34 - Thank you!