You built a brand that earns shelf space the hard way — with great products, strong sell-through, and years of relationship-building. But if you’ve started receiving sustainability questionnaires from Walmart, REI, or Bass Pro Shops — or you’re worried about what happens when those questions arrive — you already know the rules of retail are…
Mending the Line Blog
What Is It Costing Your Brand to NOT Have a Sustainability Strategy?
The hidden price tag of inaction — and why Emerger Strategies is the smartest investment your business isn’t making yet. Most brands don’t wake up thinking, “We should hire a sustainability consultant” and most CFO’s know the costs of the business. But the most dangerous number on your balance sheet is the one that never…
Journal Entry: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at What it’s Like Being a Sustainability Consultant for Fly Fishing Brands
Telling Credible Sustainability Stories with Mayfly Outdoors April 23-27, 2026 Last week, I spent the week in Montrose, CO for Mayfly Outdoors‘ Dealer Days. It was an inspiring week learning more about brands like Abel Reels, Airlite, Airflo, Dyna-King, Renzetti and Ross Reels are made, and the efforts they are making to support conservation and…
How B-Corp Certification & Sustainability Data Can Transform Your Fishing Brand | Hazel Horvath of Ecolytics
What does it actually take for a fishing or outdoor brand to become B-Corp certified — and how do you prove your sustainability claims without greenwashing? In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I am joined by Hazel Horvath, Founder and CEO of Ecolytics, a software platform built to solve one of the biggest challenges facing…
How Emerger Strategies Helps Brands Selling to Walmart, REI, Bass Pro & Dick’s Stay on the Shelf — and Ahead of the Curve
Retailer sustainability requirements aren’t coming — they’re already here. Here’s how Emerger Strategies’ three core services help fishing and outdoor brands manage regulatory risk, exceed retailer expectations, and turn sustainability into a genuine competitive advantage. If your brand sells — or wants to sell — into major retailers like Walmart, REI, Bass Pro Shops, or…
Why Public Lands Advocacy Matters for Anglers and Outdoor Brands | Keith Shattenkirk of Patagonia
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with Keith Shattenkirk, Program Officer for Healthy Lands & Waters at Patagonia. Keith shares the fascinating story of how he transitioned from a career in finance to working on the frontlines of conservation for one of the most influential outdoor companies in the world. We dive into…