Brent Kawamura’s path to sustainability wasn’t a straight line — it started with an Environmental Science degree, wound through LEED-certified building projects, and landed him in Product Sustainability at REI. Along the way, fishing has remained the thread that keeps it all grounded. In this episode, I interview Brent to pull back the curtain on REI’s Product…
Tag: outdoor industry sustainability
10 Years of Sustainability Consulting for Fishing & Outdoor Brands | Emerger Strategies
In 2016, I started Emerger Strategies with a simple bet: that the brands making the gear we love could also help protect the places we love — and that doing right by the fish could make them stronger businesses, not just better-intentioned ones. Ten years later, I’m still betting on that. And I’ve got a…
Tier 2 Suppliers, Bluesign Certification, and Why Sustainability Should Be Called Business Excellence — A Conversation with Kevin Myette
I am a sustainability nerd, and I find the history of the sustainability movement fascinating, which is why I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to interview 40-year outdoor industry veteran, Kevin Myette on the latest episode of The Sustainable Angler podcast. The Outdoor Industry’s Sustainability Origin Story Starts in 2006 In this episode,…
Simplifying Sustainability: Emerger Strategies’ Assessment, Plan & Report Package
In today’s marketplace, sustainability isn’t a “nice-to-have”—it’s a business imperative. Whether you’re aiming to meet retailer ESG requirements, reduce your environmental footprint, or simply improve operational efficiency, having a clear sustainability roadmap is essential. At Emerger Strategies, we specialize in helping small to medium-sized businesses—particularly fishing and outdoor brands—simplify sustainability and make it profitable. Our…