The founder stories for Joe Foster and me could not be more different. Joe built Reebok, which is one of the most recognized athletic brands in the world. I almost didn’t make it to my 18^th birthday, but thankfully, a kind teacher said the words that resonated with me at a time of deep loss and insecurity in my teen years. In the end, we each had the opportunity to learn how to build a global brand.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Joe, who’s 91, still traveling the world and still showing up for Reebok. We’ve partnered together to share what it takes to build a global brand. The fact is that about half of companies fail, and in this highly competitive world, that stat may be on the low side. So, while a positive mindset is essential, it’s also vital to know founder stories, experiences, and lessons because something may help your company at the right moment.

You Don’t Have to Know Everything for a Global Brand, But You Have to Know People

Neither Joe nor I came up through elite business schools that taught us the theory of how to create a global brand, but we each did it. Joe came from a family of shoemakers who started making shoes by hand in the late 1800s. The family’s shoes were so well-made that Olympians wore them, so it’s easy to see how Joe understood the importance of a shoe product. But product alone doesn’t scale—people make that happen.

Like me, Joe’s someone who understands people. For one, he hired those who were better than him. It’s so easy, especially if you have early success, to think you know everything, but that’s simply not true, and it’s important to maintain humility. To get the best out of people, which is what any company needs, it’s essential to listen to them. You need to know the people, what makes them tick, and ensure a culture of trust and excellence.

Even in the AI world, where so much is tech-driven, it’s more essential than ever to have human judgment. Creating a global brand is an operational strategy that both Joe and I have used in our companies. When your team trusts you because they know you care about them, say hello and ask about their families, you’re ensuring they’re going to speak up with ideas, and when they see something’s off in the business, and that’s a competitive advantage.

Build for the Problem, Not the Comms

When I first started Funds2Orgs, I wasn’t thinking about how to build a global brand. I connected the dots and wanted to get U.S. partners to collect gently worn shoes to raise funds for their community causes, so we can ship them to our partners worldwide. By then, I knew that millions of people worldwide needed gently used shoes to sell to earn a living in the reuse economy.

I don’t think many businesspeople go into business thinking they’ll create a global business. It’s about identifying a market need or problem and determining a solution to address it. Joe created Reebok in much the same way when he saw the gap for better performance in the women’s market. U.K. brands wanted to enter the American market, but it wasn’t easy. Joe kept going back, and then he discovered an entry point.

In a chance chat in Los Angeles, Joe decided to pivot to women’s fitness when he learned about a colleague whose wife was raving about a new workout trend: aerobics. Joe decided to create a shoe just for women, and then it happened when Jane Fonda started wearing them in the aerobic videos she was developing for the market. Just like that, within 4 years, Reebok went from a $9 million company to one worth $900 million.

Reinvention Is Part of Every Brand

In our YouTube conversation, Joe and I discussed building something that leaves a legacy. In other words, a global business should be something that lasts and is sustainable beyond your leading it. Joe is no longer the CEO of Reebok, but he still actively supports the company because it’s the legacy he founded. It sets the tone for everyone that the next generations can reinterpret it as they and the market see fit.

But the reality is that reinvention is essential for every company today, given the fierce competition. That means that the next chapter is something that should be in the process of getting built, even when you’re still leading a global brand. So, what does that mean in practice? For one, it means today’s consumer gets bored and has little trust in what they don’t know, so it’s essential to reinterpret and refine your story continually.

Digital marketers understand that there have been significant changes in the space. Changes to how brands appear on Google AI Overviews and generative engines mean that teams have to continually iterate on how to get themselves across to leads and customers. It could be through podcasts or YouTube. Whatever it is, it’s a continuous learning curve that never ends and requires reinvention at all times, with ongoing upskilling, curiosity, and learning.

The Real Lesson for Global Brands

If you’re looking into how to build a global brand, there’s one takeaway you should remember. Always start with the problem you’re trying to solve. Once you have that set, recruit and partner with people who are smarter than you are and treat them like they matter, because they do. They’re your foundation. And as Joe said in the podcast, he continues because nobody told him to stop, and he gets to decide when he’s done.

© 2026 Wayne Elsey. All Rights Reserved.

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The reuse economy, in brief, is about extending the life of manufactured items and redirecting them away from the waste stream to the reuse stream. Because of the reuse economy, Roosevelt can take care of his children. He’s not looking for a handout, and neither are so many of the people I’ve had the honor to know through my work. Roosevelt and our micro-enterprise partners want a chance and opportunity, as every family does. We’ve bridged the gap between socially responsible shoes and sneaker repurposing in the reuse economy.

It’s not a concept or policy paper. It’s real people, lives, and food on the table.

► Learn About the Reuse Economy

We Have a Problem We Keep Ignoring

Every year, 100 to 150 billion articles of clothing are manufactured. But if you do the math, there’s about 8.2 billion people on the planet. Therefore, we produce about 12 to 18 pieces of clothing for every person each year. How do we do it? Cheap synthetics are designed to degrade quickly, which is why the reuse economy (i.e., the circular economy) is critical.

Fast fashion, including shoes and sneakers, has flooded the market. Here are a few quick stats from my book about the reuse economy.

Americans buy 148 fast fashion items each week.

65% of Gen Z throw at least one item of clothing each month.

Textiles are the 4th most damaging industry to the environment.

More than 70% of the world’s global population wears gently worn, used and new shoes and sneakers.

The “take, make, waste” model, which is the traditional linear economic model, is not sustainable. We can’t continue to accept the destruction that it’s causing to the planet and people’s lives due to the climate crisis. But it’s not just about the environment; it also affects everyone socially through manipulation.

Who’s Behind Throwaway Culture, and Why

While I was writing my book about the reuse economy, which shares real stories about the lives affected, I watched the documentary Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy. The movie served as a reminder that corporations exist to maximize profits, not to serve consumers. Unfortunately, throwaway culture is part of the recipe for some corporations.

The documentary spoke to how they operate on five maxims to sell more, waste more, lie more, hide more, and control more. Brands such as H&M, Zara, and Shein, for example, could, if they wanted to, release two collections a year, as is traditional. They don’t do that. They keep churning out new products, so you’re always reaching for your wallet.

Planned obsolescence is baked into so much of what is made in throwaway culture. Mobile phones and computers are designed to fail after a certain period. Shoes hoes fall apart after some wear, and clothing isn’t breathable or designed to last. The reuse economy depends on quality, as do the lives of the people I feature (and more) in my book.

What Is the Reuse Economy, Really?

I use the term ‘reuse economy’ interchangeably with ‘circular economy’. The most important thing to understand is that it’s the alternative to the “take, make, waste” model. The reuse economy aims to extend the life cycle of manufactured products. That’s what we do every day with our partners in the U.S. to gather gently worn, used and news shoes and sneakers.

Instead of extracting more resources, manufacturing, selling, and landfilling, the reuse economy keeps products in circulation for as long as possible. It’s different from recycling, which breaks items down and then remanufactures the materials, which is energy-intensive and expensive. We take Air Jordans, for example, and get them to a market in Kenya for a new lease on life.

The Reuse Economy Is Also an American Story

Activity for the reuse economy isn’t just happening in other countries. Each day, our team sees many communities across the U.S. partner with us through our shoe drive fundraising programs, sneaker reuse programs, or even our tree-planting programs. Americans see that shifting toward sustainability makes sense and is better than fast fashion.

But it’s not just our work. In San Antonio, a sustainable store called Spare Parts gathers used art supplies and redirects them to schools that can’t afford them. In Portland, repair projects turn empty lots into shared spaces, and in Loredo, urban farming workshops teach residents how to grow healthier food for themselves.

Your Choices Are Votes

Do you want to know what I really appreciate of the reuse economy? It’s because in a divided country, it’s not a left-or-right, liberal-or-conservative ideal. It’s about being smart about the resources that already exist, and as a business owner, it’s about connecting profit with purpose. The reuse economy is a win for business owners and workers.

As I wrote in my book, the reuse economy already has a market value the exceeds $517 billion. Moreover, it’s expected to reach $798 billion by 2029, and the second-hand reuse market is growing faster than traditional retail. In fact, consumers will pay almost 10% more for sustainably sourced products, even during periods of inflation.

When people understand what’s at stake for fully understanding the answer to the question, what is the reuse economy, they want to do the right thing. My team and I see it every day in our work. But there is a challenge that is related to motivation. The challenge is awareness and helping people understand how they can participate in the reuse economy.

Every purchase is a vote. When you choose vintage or second-hand over buying new, you’re taking a step toward the reuse economy. When you repair rather than replace, or choose quality over cheap quantity, it’s a way to redirect attention from the traditional models created by corporations toward activities that are much more impactful.

The Reuse Economy Tipping Point Is Now

As I mentioned, awareness is the key to becoming a member of the reuse economy with the thousands and thousands of others who choose to be there instead of doing things in a wasteful way. For shoes and sneakers, we invite you to join tens of thousands of partners and communities with our brands.

We’re at a tipping point. There’s energy in doing better by each other and the planet. Again, people just have to understand how and why the reuse economy makes sense in their lives. My book, The Reuse Economy: Breaking Free from Throwaway Culture, goes deep into it with data, real stories, and a roadmap for what you can do today. I invite you to pick it up.

► Get the book on Amazon

► Download your free resources from me.

© 2026 Wayne Elsey. All Rights Reserved.

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The world can feel broken, but it’s probably felt like that to humans at times since the beginning. In the last 100+ years alone, we’ve had several world and regional wars, the Great Depression, significant economic downturns, and now lots of disruption from AI. That’s why looking at quotes on resilience helps boost mindset.

In the times we’ve seen great disruption, including through the global pandemic, more wars, 9/11, and other terrible humanitarian events, the way to get through it is to keep getting up. It’s not easy. I know. But it’s essential. Doing whatever you can to stay resilient is essential for overcoming the pressures life throws our way, as I write in one of my resources.

By nature, I’m an optimist, and no matter how bleak or uncertain things get, people show up, help strangers, and create communities. I’ve spent decades building social enterprises and working with people globally, and those who thrive are the people who keep moving forward, no matter what.

In my view, resilience is a superpower, and I genuinely believe it. So, if you’re stuck and looking for quotes on resilience, I want to share some (there are thousands) and share my thoughts on why they’re practical truths.

What Does Resilience Actually Mean?

Before we get to the quotes, it’s important to define resilience. It’s not about pretending that everything’s fine when it’s not. It’s not about blind optimism, or toughing things out in silence. When you do that, it actually costs you more than being straightforward about the fact that things are not okay.

Real resilience means developing the capacity to face the obstacles, adapt, and move forward. It’s making conscious choices about the setbacks and addressing them head-on. Every choice you make to overcome and become resilient can become a habit and practice that anyone can develop. You’re not born with a resilience trait or not.

Quotes on Resilience: Margaret Thatcher

“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” — Margaret Thatcher

When I founded Funds2Orgs, it launched on April 1, 2013, which happened to be April Fools’ Day. It could have been a joke because, candidly, the business model of raising funds through a shoe drive fundraiser by collecting gently worn shoes wasn’t something even fundraisers had heard of in the nonprofit, faith-based, or school sectors.

That challenge of helping people understand the concept took time, as it related to fundraising and also making an economic and environmental impact. As Thatcher expressed, winning and resilience aren’t about a single moment. It’s something you have to keep doing—in other words, working the problem.

Quotes on Resilience: Elizabeth Edwards

“ Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.” — Elizabeth Edwards

This quote, which is attributed to Elizabeth Edwards, is one that’s so true, and again, what you do when you face challenges is up to you, no matter the issue. Time and again, we’ve seen people who have lost everything choose to move forward. It’s okay to get frustrated, but resilience requires action.

It’s essential after the shock to the system to decide and choose to pivot, if necessary, and move forward. I always say it. You have to start small and take steps. Storms don’t care whether you feel up to meeting them. They just arrive and dump the rain. It’s up to each of us to keep our heads in the game and do everything to keep moving.

Quotes on Resilience: Nelson Mandela

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison in South Africa during apartheid. When he was alive, he spoke about how he endured and was resilient for so many years in prison. But what was most remarkable about him was that he emerged from his sentence without bitterness or hatred, making him one of the most significant figures in history.

Mandela is someone I’ve quoted often in my books because of his resilient perspective. He used to say that a person has to rise every time they get knocked down, and he was someone who earned every syllable of what he shared about his experiences. In the process, he inspired an entire country and its people to transform.

A Superpower You Can Choose to Build

The more years you live, which is a privilege, the higher the chances are that you’ll face significant life challenges. I’ve had my share as well. But I’ve learned something along the way, as I’ve mentioned earlier. You’re not born with resilience. It’s a practice that you build and a decision you make over and over.

For me, I’ve found three things that have made a big difference in becoming and staying resilient:

1. Remembering that the challenge is temporary. Everything passes.
2. It’s vital to keep moving, even incrementally, so you don’t freeze.
3. Surround yourself with people who’ve got your back and can be your sounding board.

The quotes on resilience all point back to the same principles, seen through different perspectives and life experiences. Each of these people didn’t view resilience as a matter of luck. If you read them carefully, you’ll see that each of them described the choice to keep going.

Download your free resources from me.

© 2026 Wayne Elsey. All Rights Reserved.

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The clerk told me to choose a tip of “15%, 20%, 25% or Other” to provide a tip. Before I tapped my phone, I asked her who gets the tip? Did she get the tip? She was honest and answered, “I don’t.” I looked at her, then firmly pressed Other and typed $0.00. Why should I or anyone, especially families who need to save money quickly, walk through the mall and have to tip a clerk for doing her job in about 2 minutes?

And why should Auntie Anne or any other franchise or company take a customer’s tip for anything but the clerk or server? Since when did a tip become another revenue line for companies? Sure, we’re used to tipping service workers like servers or delivery people, but tipping culture has become so common that it’s now part of almost any interaction, like getting a pretzel or ice cream.

The Rise of Modern Tipping Culture

For generations, tipping culture included tipping servers at restaurants or delivery people for, say, a pizza. You might also tip a taxi driver. All of these workers worked in traditionally low-paid jobs because the culture was that they made their money from good service and tips. But it’s “gone haywire,” and Americans are sick and tired of it. In fact, according to Forbes, “…Nearly 90% of Americans believing tipping is out of control.”

Why Tipping Culture Is Bad for Everyone

As an entrepreneur, I’m always looking at the bottom line. But when we have tipping on everything, including a pretzel, we need to call it out for what it is, which is bad for business. You see, now that I know the Auntie Ann’s franchise is essentially adding costs to their already expensive pretzels, with the appearance that it’s going to the servers, I’m not going back if I can help it. I’ll take my business someplace else because excessive tipping does the following:

1. It Perpetuates Low Wages

When companies get away with asking customers for tips while not giving it to workers, it makes low wages even worse. In many states, workers earn a “tipped minimum wage” that’s less than the regular minimum wage. In the best case, workers rely on customer generosity. At worst, patrons are subsidizing companies’ payroll.

2. Tipping Creates Social Guilt

When you press “Other” on a POS system and then $0.00, it doesn’t feel good. Knowing from the server that she wasn’t going to get any tip made it easier, but asking for the tip is akin to emotional blackmail. That guilt is manipulative and intentional because the server is standing there and sees what you’re doing.

3. It’s Not Going Where You Think

I asked the clerk if she was getting the tip, and she didn’t lie. But here’s the thing: many tips don’t reach where you think they’re supposed to go —the service worker’s pocket. I bet if her manager was within earshot, to keep her job, she would have lied and told me, of course, the tip went to her, so she could keep her job. Tipping culture is a shell game.

4. Tipping is Bad Economics

Asking tips from everyone for everything is leading to immense inflation fatigue. People are tired for service fees getting tagged onto everything while salaries stay flat and don’t raise with inflation. The average revenue of an Auntie Ann’s franchise is between $768,870 and $1,534,865. That’s enough to pay a fair wage.

What We Need Instead of Tipping

Tipping is a custom of another era, and it’s time to move past it, across the board. The public and families have enough stress earning tipped minimum wages in the service industry, or patrons experiencing guilt, to add more money to already expensive products to pad companies’ bottom lines. How about companies pay workers a fair wage, and not guilt customers into subsidizing their company expenses on salaries?

Customers can’t serve as moral middlepersons for payroll. Tipping isn’t a show of appreciation for a job well done as it used to be. Tipping culture is now a symptom of a broken system that includes digital guilt, low wages, and our subsidization of franchises and corporations. It’s a sweet deal for franchise and large corporate owners, but it’s not good for the average American. So, let’s right the ship and do the right thing by workers and customers.

Visit Elsey Enterprises for ideas about business growth.

© 2025 Wayne Elsey. All Rights Reserved.

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I loved my dad, and I still do, even though it’s been more than 10 years since I last saw him. He was a fantastic human being, and his legacy is still very much in my life. So, why was he called Mr. Fix-It? Well, as you probably guessed, if something was broken, he figured out a way to repair it. But it just wasn’t with mechanics. He was also someone who showed up when someone needed a hand-up, and he was a leader in every way.

My dad rarely asked for anything. That’s just not the way men of his generation operated. Still, I remember the only request he made of me. It was at the end of his life when I got a call from him, and all he said was, “I need your help.” I was surprised and knew things had shifted. I got to him as fast as I could. All he said was, “Take good care of your mother.” It wasn’t a request for him, but for someone else. His giving and positive mindset live on in all I’ve done.

What Does a Positive Mindset Mean in Leadership?

One of the biggest lessons my father taught me was about maintaining a positive mindset. It’s served me from my first job in a work-study program to working my way up and scaling my social enterprises into a global business. Regarding a positive mindset, it’s important to note that it does not mean blind optimism. Instead, it means having the ability to face setbacks and continue moving forward despite the challenges.

Sure, today I have the luxury car, a home in a gated community, and can rest assured that my family’s cared for, but even today I face challenges. We all do. Nothing ever remains the same, including the days we think are all the same. Yes, the sequence may be similar from day to day, but throughout the day, there are countless changes from one day to the next. Every day you wear different clothes, and each cup of coffee and conversation is different from the one you had the day before.

Leaders with a positive mindset see obstacles as opportunities. That’s something that I’ve made sure to thread through the culture of my company. We don’t discuss the challenges. We discuss the opportunities, even through the failures and losses. My dad taught me this early on. He didn’t focus on the problems. He was always focusing on the solutions, and that inspired confidence within our family and in the years of his factory work.

How Do Humble Beginnings Shape Leadership Legacy?

As I mentioned earlier, when I was 15 years old, I started my work life in a work-study program. It was my first job, which meant that I shouldn’t have had a leadership role. But it turns out that I was entrusted with management duties. I suppose my boss recognized that I could listen and connect with the people who entered the shoe store, and I wasn’t looking to do anything more than lead and do a good job.

As someone who’s been in the business world for decades, the lessons my father taught me positioned me early in my career to lead with not only a positive mindset but also a sense of responsibility grounded in empathy. Through the years, I’ve learned to focus on the value of hard work (don’t let anyone tell you different), persistence, and expecting the best from the people who surround you.

It’s been a long time since I first walked into the shoe store. Still, my father’s lessons stay with me throughout, especially as I consider my leadership legacy and the impact I make not only on my team, but also on my grandkids who will one day go into the working world. I would love to see them become leaders in whatever they choose to do, thanks to the lessons they’ve learned from me and others who have positively influenced their journeys.

Key Takeaways on Positive Mindset and Leadership Legacy

A positive mindset and one that focuses on resilience matters in the C-suite. In business, as in life, it’s all about the execution of the plan. When you test a strategy or concept, that’s when the challenges inevitably rise to the surface, and you can go with it or fold. But when you believe firmly that progress forward is possible and you iterate, you create momentum. Teams look to their leaders to set the tone.

In my career, from turnarounds to global scaling, everything has always boiled down to keeping a focused and positive mindset—no matter the challenges (opportunities). I’m often reminded of my father’s grit and compassion for others. I imagine what it took for him to always keep his head in the game, and that’s what I try to model each day. Titles change, but leadership gets measured by the impact not only in company metrics but also on the lives of people.

Positive mindset

It means resilience through action and not unquestioning optimism.

Leadership legacy

Comes not with titles, but in responsibility and impact.

Leadership

Means leading through execution of the plan and treating people with dignity.

From the factory floor to the executive suite, my father’s lesson continues to reverberate. Our shared mindset is one and the same: show up, act with a positive mindset, and leave a legacy that goes beyond your time. That was leadership in my father’s book, and that’s the leadership I strive every day to ensure is part of the culture of my companies and instilled through my extended family. Leadership ultimately means shouldering responsibility for others.

Visit Elsey Enterprises for ideas about business growth.

© 2025 Wayne Elsey. All Rights Reserved.

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The truth of the matter is that while your impact may be visible to your team and even your donors. Still, outside of that view, is your work and meaningful social impact? When you measure impact and seek to share it, it has to happen with clarity and purpose. After all, impact goes beyond storytelling, and it’s about results.

1. Define What Impact Means for Your Mission

Before you can measure impact and convey it to your supporters, knowing what “impact” means for your nonprofit is essential. For instance, it goes beyond fundraising numbers. Catching hearts and minds means serving meals, restoring habitats, and improving literacy rates. Begin by defining the metric that’s your north star, and then add two or three outcomes.

2. Combine Quantitative and Qualitative Nonprofit Data

When you measure impact, of course, you want facts and figures. The quantitative information is essential. Still, numbers don’t tell the whole story. So, think of numbers like a frame of a photo and the photo itself as the story. That photo is what will capture attention. So, use qualitative data such as interviews, storytelling, and case studies to bring your impact to life.

3. Leverage Technology to Measure and Track

Lean into technology and the magic of AI. Tech goes beyond any human’s ability to measure impact. For instance, you can use a free tool like ChatGPT to crunch data and produce charts. Further, with tech integrations, you can have your donor management systems and data dashboards communicating with each other and drilling down into your stats.

4. Create a Feedback Loop

When you’re looking to measure impact, there’s an excellent source for information—people. In other words, create surveys, polls, and focus groups and have many conversations with donors, volunteers, and people impacted by your mission. Listen, listen, listen, and gain immeasurable insights to share about how your organization makes a difference.

5. Align Measurement with Your Fundraising Strategy

Making a difference isn’t just about feeling good. It’s also about ensuring the resources you need to do the work. That’s why it’s essential to ensure that your programmatic measurement is included in your fundraising goals and avoid mistakes. Donors want to see their investment making a difference, so share concise, compelling data and stories.

6. Show Long-Term Impact, Not Just Quick Wins

It’s easy to focus on how many meals your organization served this month or the funds raised during your latest campaign. However, it’s essential to go beyond quick wins. Share the metrics and impact stories demonstrating what you’ve done over time. Remember, today’s actions are the groundwork for tomorrow and a better future.

7. Communicate Nonprofit Impact in Fresh, Engaging Ways

When you’ve done the work to measure impact, of course, it’s essential to share it with tools for content creation. Skip the dry reports and the academic language no one understands beyond the professionals. Instead, create short, pithy videos and social posts. For website blogs, follow SEO best practices to rank on Google.

8. Keep It Real and Transparent

People regularly say that “content is king” or queen. But in today’s engagement economy, it’s about authenticity. Don’t inflate numbers or impact, and ensure you’re always you. By being real and transparent, you build essential trust and loyalty. Be genuine about wins, admit any losses, and share how you want to improve your work.

Measure, Show, and Grow Your Nonprofit Difference

Every day, nonprofit leaders and volunteers do incredible work. They help empower people who may have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. They educate young children and take care of them while hardworking parents make a living. And they’re focused on creating opportunities by supporting environmental efforts.

Still, the real magic of all that work comes alive when you measure impact and share how your organization makes a difference. By defining your core metrics, sharing data, and compelling storytelling, your nonprofit builds trust. In turn, that attracts more champions, and ultimately, it makes an even bigger impact.

Visit Elsey Enterprises for ideas about business growth.

© 2025 Wayne Elsey. All Rights Reserved.

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Corporate Manipulation: The Enemy of the Circular Economy

Once you see the documentary, it’ll remind you that corporations can make a lot of money to get you to buy. We know that companies such as Apple create hardware that has system failure and “planned obsolescence” built into them as a feature. In turn, it normalizes the concept of disposability.

Of course, no industry has embraced the idea of disposability more than the fashion industry. It’s common for brands to manufacture clothing for two to four collections annually, but some brands create as many as ten collections to keep changing trends. Fast fashion company chains, such as Zara, H&M, and Shein, continually restock clothing so that, pretty much any time a shopper walks through the doors, they’re looking at new clothing and getting a dopamine hit with a new purchase.

The linear “take, make, waste” model is the opposite of what a circular economy represents. Where does the responsibility lie for the 100 to 150 billion garments annually, or 12.2 articles of clothing annually, for the 8.2 billion people on the planet? The answer lies with corporations that know this is destroying our planet.

Five Corporate Maxims That Destroy the Circular Economy

One clever way the film tells the story of corporate manipulation is by using an AI assistant named Sasha as the narrator. Sasha expertly guides viewers through the intricacies of corporate manipulation. Corporations exist to maximize profits, not to serve consumers, as many would like to tell you.

The corporate manipulation, as Sasha states, is founded on five profit maxims:

1. Sell more.
2. Waste more.
3. Lie more.
4. Hide more.
5. Control more.

Technology is weaponized against consumers who don’t see the manipulation happening because behavioral psychology is used against them. It’s unclear to consumers that they’re being sold to, lied to, and controlled. But here’s the thing. We don’t have to accept that manipulative system. The circular economy offers a significantly better approach.

Embracing the Circular Economy: Key Concepts

The reuse economy takes us back to a time when manufacturing, designers, and artisans created durable and high-quality products. As it relates to fashion, clothing was made from high-quality, organic materials that were breathable and comfortable. Moreover, the clothing materials were non-toxic and biodegradable.

So, if you want to join the reuse movement, it’s essential to understand the circular economy key concepts:

• Reuse is taking an existing item and using it again for the same function without significant alteration. It is the idea behind vintage clothing or the secondhand market. Think of that favorite jacket your friend compliments every time you wear it. You know, the one you’ve had for eight years. That’s reuse in action.
• Recycling. This idea involves taking items, breaking down their materials, and transforming them into new products. For example, you can take a glass bottle, crush it, and turn the glass into a vase.
• Upcycling. This concept involves taking a product and transforming it into a higher-quality or more valuable product. An example is transforming discarded shipping containers into homes.
• Sustainability. This concept involves striking a balance between economic growth, environmental conservation, and social well-being. It means not compromising present and future generations.
• Reuse economy. I use ‘reuse’ and ‘circular economy’ interchangeably. The point of the reuse or circular economy is to create and buy products for longevity and to support sustainable businesses.

In short, the circular economy creates and supports products designed for longevity, promoting sustainable businesses. That’s the complete opposite of the current wasteful system.

Your Role in Building the Circular Economy

The reuse economy is filled with people like you and me who refuse to accept that the current unsustainable path is the only path forward. We refuse to believe that we have to destroy the planet and all living things at the altar of corporate manipulation and shareholder profit. We’re challenging corporations to be socially responsible and not bend to whichever wind blows their way to make money.

Ask yourself a question: When was the most recent occasion you experienced a sharp twinge of remorse as you discarded an item that might have been reused? When did you last buy something and, at purchase, feel as if you really shouldn’t be buying the item? That feeling—that moment of thrifty temptation—is your inner guide trying to tell you something.

The reuse economy isn’t just a concept seen in policy papers or an abstract idea that exists only in the world of corporate sustainability reports. It is, in fact, all about us and our everyday lives, and that’s the most important thing you need to know about it. The circular economy doesn’t demand sacrifice. It’s about reclaiming what we’ve lost in our dash toward throwaway culture. It means true artistry, craftsmanship, and the connection to our physical environment, the things in it, and the people we share it with in our lives.

Breaking Free: Your Vote for the Circular Economy

Whenever you choose reuse over new, repair over replace, or quality over quantity, you’re not simply conserving money or diverting waste. You’re voting for a specific version of the world. You’re pulling a kind of lever disguised as a purchase or a lapse in purchasing that signals to the people who make, sell, or govern our stuff that you care about this issue. Again, the way ahead is about taking back what we’ve forfeited to throwaway culture. Are you prepared to tackle the obstacles and contribute to the solution?

Visit Elsey Enterprises for ideas about business growth.

© 2025 Wayne Elsey. All Rights Reserved.

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The truth is that donors feel disconnected. For example, institutional funders expect impact reports, and organizations are repeatedly told by experts to demonstrate impact. Still, donors aren’t fully sure where the money goes, and they’re exhausted from continuous requests for money. That’s a recipe for dependency—not empowerment. Nonprofits need to shift to rethinking social impact and, for one, create partnerships.

Empowerment in Social Impact

One of the most essential things any human can do is to treat another person with respect. And that happens by giving them space in their humanity and not pitying people. Yet, if you look at the fundraising campaigns of many nonprofits, they seem to revolve around taking pity and providing charity. Instead, organizations need to empower people through a partner-driven social impact. In other words, it’s about seeking partnerships in every regard.

For example, if you work at a social service, do you call the people you serve your partners? If so, you’re giving them the dignity they deserve by using that word or similar words. How about your donors and volunteers? Do you call them your partners as well? If you do, super kudos to you. Organizations that go beyond mere donations for nonprofits and look at all their constituents as partners convey the following message: I’m in this with you, together.

Nonprofit partnerships are proactive, not reactive. Think about the fundraising campaigns you see. Often, they’re in reaction to some event or immediate need. However, partnerships are proactive, long-term journeys that allow your constituents to be equals. By filtering your view through the lens of partnerships, you create trust, resilience, and sustainable relationships that are built on a common goal. That’s social impact!

The Power of Value-Aligned Giving

Specific to donations for nonprofits, all organizations should shift the language and posture from charity to partnerships. For instance, fundraisers should see every person on their database as their partner, as we do in our shoe drive fundraising brand. Let’s break down what happens when you seek nonprofit partnerships.

1. Shared Outcomes for Social Impact

As we know, donors and nonprofit funders care very much about results—as do the people you give a hand-up to. That goes beyond sending a thank you note or a year-end tax receipt. Your funding partners want to know what impact their support had. Remember, they’re co-authoring your nonprofit story. Fortunately, tech tools are available to make tracking social impact much easier.

2. Strategic Engagement in Nonprofit Partnerships

When you consider partnerships, get creative and think out of the box. You may know a logistics expert who can help you streamline your operations and supply chain. A donor may have a marketing company, and they could provide marketing tips or even pro bono advice to maximize your digital marketing efforts. Remember that donations to nonprofits aren’t just about money. It’s also about expertise and skills. Leverage them as you can.

3. Mutual Transformation

And this is the big one: transformation. People can get behind the vision and big ideas because, deep down, people want to root for a win and transformation. But what does that mean for your donors and the messages you convey to them as partners? In the past, the thinking was that they would give, and others would change. Not anymore. In a partnership model, all parties change, evolve, and transform.

Reimagining the Role of Donors to Nonprofit Partners

There’s been talk for years about the end of nonprofits, and perhaps, in time, there will be fewer than 1.8 million (some doing the same things in their communities). It’s not a bad thing to reinvent and change, and there’s something to be said for impact investors (and partners) looking to disrupt the traditional philanthropy model. But what can you do today to reframe “donations to nonprofits” to “partnerships and investments for change”? Here it is.

1. Ask the Right Questions

Don’t just ask for donations. Instead, ask your supporters about other mission-critical things to create partnerships.

• “What’s your biggest challenge in supporting organizations?”
• “Is our communication to donors sufficiently impactful?”
• “What do you think we can do to improve long-term sustainability?”

2. Ask for the Best from Your Donors

Everyone has something that makes them special, whether it’s knowledge, expertise, or relationships. Target your supporters instead of asking only for fundraising dollars or making blanket asks. In other words, ask them for the best of who they are and can give to you in a partnership. Show up with intention and specifics in every interaction.

3. Think Beyond the Annual Fundraising Campaign

Have you ever considered that many nonprofits connect with their donors only during their annual fundraiser? That’s a mistake, of course. Make it a point to speak to your donors regularly (pick up the phone and meet with them). With AI fundraising tools, you can have it do the grunt work while building meaningful nonprofit partnerships.

When you think of partnerships, consider the ideas and actions for sharing values and action. Partnerships are about a shared vision and also legacy. So, to stand out in a hyper-competitive world, consider your supporters as the co-builders of the world you—and them—want to see, which is to say, a better world because of your work and mission.

Visit Funds2Orgs, Sneakers4Good, and Elsey Enterprises for more solutions.

© 2025 Wayne Elsey. All Rights Reserved.

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Over the years, I’ve ensured that my brands are considered one of the leading ethical business providers in the global shoe and sneaker reuse economy. To that end, I have worked to share our story with a diverse audience of attorneys, government officials, and health department personnel in several countries. As a global industry leader, we know we can make a significant economic impact. We do it with our gently worn, “untouched” shoes with the brands intact.

Real-World Stories from the Reuse Economy

On one of my visits to Costa Rica, I walked close to 15 miles. I carried pictures of samples of our high-quality products down each city block that sold used shoes. Unfortunately, the selections they had were tired and dated. Having been in the shoe business for decades, I could simply eye footwear and know that they were size seven fake Air Jordan sneakers.

Some of our competitors grade and sort the shoes and cream the top-quality brand items to sell expensively on eBay or Poshmark, which is wrong and unethical. In short, they’re dumping low-quality items in countries where vendors—such as those I met in Costa Rica—need top-quality merchandise.

We sell the shoes and sneakers as is because we are strict on quality, so nothing gets pulled out. Moreover, we don’t lean into greed because we realize that by being the best in the business and operating as an ethical business committed to sustainable entrepreneurship, we will have loyal partners who want to do business with us for years, not just once.

As I walked those miles, I stopped and spoke to people selling shoes on the streets and showed them our product. They were excited. Some gave me their information to stay informed because they need high-quality, fashionable, and genuine brands. Candidly, we can’t get enough top-quality shoes to keep the pipeline full—no one can. The demand for high-quality, fashionable, and name-brand used shoes and sneakers is enormous—as it is for clothing.

That day, I walked for miles and miles in Costa Rica. In many nations globally, sales are essential. If someone doesn’t sell that day, the family doesn’t eat that night. So, every day, countless people lay a sheet on the ground, pull shoes and sneakers from their bags, and look to sell.

Making Money and Doing Good Through Ethical Business

Unfortunately, some business leaders think that profit and purpose are mutually exclusive. Candidly, that’s a short-sighted view. For instance, our brands started in conversations around the kitchen table, where we operated until we secured enough revenue for an office. Today, we’re a global and thriving ethical business operating as a for-profit social enterprise.

We’re not the only ones. There are companies like CoCircular in Spain. The company specializes in circular waste management with AI-based software that optimizes business waste management. In short, they map inefficiencies for businesses, and in doing so, they tripled their revenue in 2023. They saw that sustainability was a smart business and created an innovative company supporting other businesses in waste management.

The Very Good Bra transformed a product that had existed for many years. Founder Stephanie Devine came up with the idea for a plastic-free bra based. It was based on her cancer experience and inability to find a bra with natural materials and fibers. In her journey, she learned about the massive waste in the clothing industry. She “spent years sourcing and developing this product to prove it could be done.” From those humble beginnings, the company now sources and ships globally.

Depending on the type of company (e.g., manufacturer or retailer), there’s also been growth in take-back initiatives. In other words, companies are reclaiming used products to recycle, refurbish, or repurpose them into new products. For example, Patagonia does this through its Worn Wear program, encouraging customers to return used clothing.

The Future of Sustainable Entrepreneurship

Corporations such as Patagonia or Teva set the standards. Still, plenty of other businesses, from our brands to CoCircular and The Very Good Bra and others, including the people selling shoes on the streets of Costa Rica, have created businesses and thrive within sustainability and the reuse economy.

• The global technology and sustainability market was valued at $17.23 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $105.26 billion by 2032.
• The circular economy was valued at $556 billion in 2023 and was expected to surpass $1898 billion by 2030.
• Sustainable products outpaced conventional products in growth by 3.5% and now have an 18.5% market share.
• At a time of workers’ unease, the circular economy stands to create 45 million new jobs if businesses continue to shift and prioritize sustainability.

The reuse and circular economy aren’t about feel-good marketing spin. They’re about ethical business leaders and entrepreneurs recognizing opportunities to give consumers and other businesses what they need and fill gaps in the market. The reuse economy isn’t just about closing the loop—it’s about opening doors to new possibilities for both people and the planet.

Visit Elsey Enterprises for ideas about business growth.

© 2025 Wayne Elsey. All Rights Reserved.

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People’s general concerns about economic worries inspired me to create a free downloadable resource, Maximizing Your Savings in 2025. Money worries are a topic that families face at any given time. But understanding how to save money quickly is critical during an uncertain climate, so let’s dive.

Start with a Budget That Actually Makes Sense

I realize that looking at a budget is about as exciting as watching paint dry, but you can’t fix what you don’t track. I’m not suggesting something I don’t know myself. I know every penny spent in my personal life and my companies. Knowing this has been a secret to my success because I know what’s happening and can make quick judgment calls.

Creating a budget also comes with emotional and psychological challenges. In other words, it may show you how you’re spending or even tell you if you’re underwater. The fact of the matter is that “small” daily expenses do add up, as do any impulse buys. Still, awareness and facing the situation are critical to minimizing money losses.

Remember, as you create a budget, that it isn’t going to look like that of someone else. Your budget has to make sense for your life and be based on your reality with expenses such as housing, healthcare, income, food, etc. If it becomes overwhelming, take a time out, but chip away at it until you know how every penny gets spent versus income.

Automation and Subscriptions

When you have your budgeting completed, it’s time to look into technology. Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent financial management and budgeting. When you’re looking for how to save money quickly, setting up an automatic transfer, for example, on the day you get paid, is an excellent place to start—even if it’s just 5% of your income.

You should also look into subscriptions. Many people have subscriptions set on autopilot, and even when prices rise, they may not be aware of it. Subscription reviews are critical to ensuring savings. Therefore, list every recurring subscription charged to your credit or bank cards. Then, see what to cut and be ruthless.

Questions to ask yourself regarding subscriptions. Do you need all streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu? How about if you kept your absolute favorite or rotated them every quarter or six months? That change could potentially save you approximately $35 per month, which is a savings of over $400 (or more) in a year.

Think Outside the Paycheck for Your Budget

Of course, how to save money quickly also includes how much you earn. Working income is essential, especially when there are money challenges. If you’re in a job for a while and you’ve done an outstanding job, you may ask for a raise. But beyond that, what else can you do? One approach is to embrace the gig and sharing economy.

If you have a spare room, consider renting it out on Airbnb. If you have a decent car, you can also consider becoming a driver on platforms like Uber or Lyft. If you have specific skills, you can look at platforms like Upwork, Flexjobs, Indeed, and LinkedIn for freelance opportunities. You can even consider selling stuff you no longer need to make some money.

There’s no shame in needing extra money for your savings, so make sure you don’t get in your own way. There are many ways you can make extra money online. Again, needing money is not a character flaw, and if you’re in a pinch, it’s essential to remember that every honest job is good work. Think about how to transform your relationship with money.

The Bottom Line on Saving Quickly

Making sure you’re financially secure isn’t about dramatic changes. A strong budget is about making smart adjustments that incrementally bring more money. It’s also about discipline and getting serious about your financial well-being to ensure that your spending aligns with your values and with necessary things.

So, during economic uncertainty or the impact of events such as a job loss, it’s essential to get your head around the reality of circumstances as quickly as possible. Start with some of the ideas in this article and the Maximizing Your Savings in 2025 deck. Be consistent. Ultimately, things will turn around, and you’ll watch your savings grow.

Visit Elsey Enterprises for ideas about business growth.

© 2025 Wayne Elsey. All Rights Reserved.

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