The Power of Circular Business Models: Lessons from Eva Karlsson, Houdini Sportswear's Long-Time CEO on Sustainable Innovation

In this episode, Cedric Georges, CEO of North Action Sports Group, recounts his impactful career trajectory, beginning with 12 foundational years at Procter & Gamble, followed by his transition to Odlo. He details how these experiences instilled critical sales, management, and leadership skills, emphasising the importance of continuous learning and embracing challenges. He also reminds us of the importance of incorporating external perspectives and his commitment to giving back through his leadership role at Outdoor Sports Valley (OSV). He discusses his hands-on approach to leadership, emphasising the importance of setting a clear vision, executing effective strategies, and fostering a supportive team environment. According to Cedric, anyone can be a "CEO of their job" by taking ownership and continuously striving for excellence. If you want to find out how he did it, you must listen to this episode! 📺 Follow Cedric Georges https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-georges-b2b9115 Follow Dan Trapp https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1 #sportsandoutdoormentors

Step into the inspiring journey of Richard Leedham, CEO of Equip Outdoor Technologies, home to iconic brands RAB and Lowe Alpine. From his humble beginnings as a sales rep to becoming a leader in the outdoor industry, Richard shares invaluable lessons on leadership, resilience, and the power of loving what you do. In this engaging conversation, Richard discusses: ✅ The importance of embracing discomfort for growth ✅ How finding your "tribe" transforms your career ✅ Balancing passion, sustainability, and business success Whether you're looking to navigate your career, lead a team, or find inspiration to fuel your passion, this is a must-watch for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals alike. 🎧 Listen now to learn from one of the industry's most respected leaders! Follow Richard Leedham https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-leedham Follow Dan Trapp https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1    #sportsandoutdoormentors

Are you tired of hearing the word "sustainable" thrown around without real meaning?   Matt Creighton, founder of Irish Outdoor Lifestyle brand, Bleubird, is too!   In this new episode of Sports & Outdoor Mentors, Matt gets honest about why Bluebird stopped using the word "sustainable" and what they're doing instead to be truly eco-conscious.   Matt chats about the challenges and triumphs of building an integrity-based brand, sharing valuable lessons on the problem with "Sustainable," and much more.   If you’re an entrepreneur, a brand builder, or someone who cares deeply about the outdoors and responsible business practices, this episode should not be missed!   Get ready for transformative insights and actionable strategies that will challenge your perception of "sustainability" and empower you to create a brand with a meaningful impact.   Follow Matt Creighton https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcreighton/   Follow Dan Trapp https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp   Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin   Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1   #sportsandoutdoormentors

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Rich, founder of Passenger Clothing, as he shares his remarkable journey from electrician to founding a £100M+ outdoor brand. Discover how passion, humility, and the right team transformed a small startup into a global success story.   Key highlights: The pivotal transition from tradesman to brand founder Building an authentic outdoor brand focused on escapism Managing 80%+ year-on-year growth for 5+ years The importance of controlling ego and embracing team expertise Sustainable practices and responsible business growth Challenges of international expansion Building and maintaining company culture during explosive growth   Rich shares candid insights about: The role of self-awareness in leadership Making tough decisions about bringing in experienced leadership Balancing family life with entrepreneurship Key lessons learned over 13 years of brand building The evolution from UK-focused to global omnichannel business   Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, brand builder, or business leader, this episode offers valuable lessons on scaling a business while staying true to your core values.   Follow Richard Sutcliffe https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-sutcliffe-9702b554/   Follow Passenger https://www.linkedin.com/company/passengerclothing/   Follow Dan Trapp https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp   Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin   Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1   #sportsandoutdoormentors

Discover how Houdini's Former CEO, Eva Karlsson, has been revolutionizing the outdoor apparel industry for over twenty years by pioneering circular business models and driving sustainable innovation.   In this insightful episode, we delve into how Houdini balances environmental responsibility with cutting-edge product design, creating a blueprint for businesses to thrive in the age of sustainability.   Learn about Houdini's journey from implementing rental, reuse, and repair systems to embracing a regenerative framework that redefines success in modern business.   Whether you're an entrepreneur, sustainability advocate, or outdoor enthusiast, this conversation offers invaluable lessons on bold leadership, creative problem-solving, and building a better future for our planet.   If you enjoyed this or any of our other episodes, please hit the follow button on your podcast platform of choice.   Follow Eva Karlsson https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-karlsson-5b5b9326/    Follow Dan Trapp https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp   Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin   Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1   #sportsandoutdoormentors #S+OM

Join us for an open and honest conversation with Will Hayler, Co-Founder and CEO of Blue Earth Summit, as he shares his journey from teaching surfing in Cornwall to leading one of the most innovative sustainability platforms in the business world. Key moments in this episode: How Will built his first business, Tickets to Ride, from surf lessons to a global adventure sports company The art (or not!) of business acquisitions and mergers in your 20s Creating Blue Earth Summit and its mission to transform how the world works Balancing entrepreneurship with family life and surfing Leadership insights on building and managing successful teams Will shares candid insights about: The relationship between the outdoor industry and sustainability Building purpose-driven businesses The future of sustainable innovation If you enjoyed this or any of our other episodes, please hit the follow button on your podcast platform of choice. Follow Will Hayler https://www.linkedin.com/in/willhayler/ Follow Dan Trapp https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1 #sportsandoutdoormentors

Learn practical leadership skills from Tim Selby, Merrell's EMEA VP & GM, in this episode of Sports+Outdoor Mentors!  Key takeaways include: - The power of vulnerability in leadership - Building high-performing teams through empowerment - Overcoming obstacles and achieving ambitious goals - Strategies for navigating the evolving outdoor industry landscape Tim shares his personal and professional experiences, offering valuable insights for aspiring and current leaders in the Sports and Outdoor industry.  Subscribe now!  #outdoorcareers #leadershipcoaching #businessgrowth #outdoorretail #merrellfootwear Follow Tim https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-selby-54712a1b Follow Dan https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp  Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin  Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://youtu.be/3t4crSqAl6k #sportsandoutdoormentors

In Episode 38 of the Sports & Outdoor Mentors podcast, we sit down with Dave Bunting MBE, a leader who has pushed boundaries on and off the mountains. From leading a groundbreaking expedition to the West Ridge of Everest to building high-performance teams in the business world, Dave’s journey is packed with life lessons and inspirational stories.   What you’ll discover in this episode:   ✳️ The leadership insights Dave gained from 24 years in the British Army. ✳️ Behind-the-scenes challenges of a 3-year Everest expedition. ✳️ How to build and lead high-performing teams, even in life-or-death situations. ✳️ Lessons from turning failure into opportunity in business and life.   Whether you’re a corporate leader, outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for inspiration to push beyond your limits, this episode is for you!   👉 Don’t forget to follow us for more incredible stories from sports and outdoor industry leaders!   Follow Dave https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-bunting-mbe-640b8a3   Follow Dan https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp   Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin   Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors YouTube: https://youtu.be/3t4crSqAl6k   #sportsandoutdoormentors

“You need to know everything; this is bullshit.” Markus Hupach, CEO of ARION, doesn’t hold back in this episode of Sports+Outdoor Mentors.   Filmed live on the ISPO Munich main stage, we explore the leadership strategies every modern leader needs to succeed in today’s volatile world.   🚀 **What You’ll Learn in This Episode:** Why trust-based leadership outperforms command-and-control styles.   How to empower your team while making fast, effective decisions.   The surprising impact of psychological safety on productivity and profits.   Actionable insights to build resilient, diverse, and agile teams.   The truth about lifelong learning and why vulnerability builds trust. Markus shares real-world examples and proven tactics that will inspire leaders at every level. Whether managing a small team or leading an international business, this episode is packed with tips to help you thrive. 💡 Don’t miss this game-changing conversation—follow us now and level up your leadership!     #Leadership #TeamBuilding #BusinessGrowth #Podcast #SportsAndOutdoors    Follow Markus https://www.linkedin.com/in/mhupach Follow Dan https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors YouTube: https://youtu.be/sOF3snCkn_g #sportsandoutdoormentors

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Kim Scholze, a professional with 25 years of experience in the outdoor and sports industry. Kim has seen everything from working with iconic brands like Salomon and Nytro to other roles at ISPO and Sympatex. Her expertise covers sales, marketing, and product creation, but today, her mission is clear: driving sustainability in the industry she's passionate about. Join us as Kim shares her career journey, lessons, and vision for a more sustainable future in outdoor and sports markets. Whether you're an aspiring leader or an industry professional, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss! Follow Kim Scholze https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-scholze/ Follow Dan Trapp https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EqC5kCKjm4 #sportsandoutdoormentors