Bringing you the voices of folks making our outdoor spaces welcoming for all and protecting them for future generations through interview-based storytelling. We explore overcoming challenges, finding new paths, and sparking change in big and small ways. From local action-takers to global change-makers, we celebrate the journey from individual first steps to community impact, taking a closer look at how each of us, with our unique skills, can enjoy and help preserve the natural outdoor world we all share. Hosted by Madelaine and Mark Anderson.
https://www.thewildweshare.com
episode 1: Gear That Fits Us: Charlotte Massey on Inclusion and Innovation in the Outdoors
In this exciting inaugural episode of The Wild We Share, we sit down with Charlotte Massey, the Co-Founder and COO of Gnara Apparel, an award-winning apparel brand that is making the outdoors more accessible through patented pee zipper designs.
Charlotte co-launched Gnara (formerly SheFly) in 2019 from her college dorm room via an iFundWomen crowdfunding campaign that raised $55,000, tripling the team’s goal and earning press in Forbes as an example of successful crowdfunding. Gnara won the 2022 and 2023 Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards, was named Best Hiking Pant in Women's Health Magazine, won the $100,000 MassChallenge Diamond Award, and launched nationwide in Moosejaw Mountaineering stores. Charlotte is a Tory Burch Fellow, Thomas J Watson Fellow, and has a background in digital marketing and community organizing.
Show Highlights:
0:00 - Introduction
1:44 - Meeting Charlotte Massey, her background, and her path to create SheFly (now Gnara Apparel)
6:07 - Rebranding from SheFly to Gnara
9:42 - The role of companies to make the outdoors more accessible and inclusive
19:19 - The role of community in shaping Gnara’s growth
23:00 - The feeling of empowerment and belonging after bringing Gnara pants to life. Feeling like you belong in the outdoors allows you to be yourself.
28:41 - Expanding the zipper technology into other products and environments
31:10 - How can listeners support Gnara?
33:28 - Charlotte’s next outdoor adventure
36:03 - Closing thoughts
Key Takeaways:
The story behind Gnara Apparel - turning problems in the outdoor industry into opportunities.
Gnara's innovative zipper technology and how it's making the outdoors more accessible and inclusive. A sense of belonging in the outdoors can be life-changing.
Discussion on the future vision for Gnara Apparel and the broader implications for the outdoor industry.
Connect with Charlotte and Gnara Apparel:
Website: Gnara Apparel
Instagram: @gnaraapparel
LinkedIn: Charlotte Massey
Thanks for joining us for this fascinating conversation!
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