11. August 2010 by Candace Carlisle.

 reposted from launch787.com

Living in a seriously laid back town, flip-flops have very much become a staple to the modern closet. It is refreshing to find a product that is so much more…that it literally brings new meaning to, “the soul of your feet.”

When Kyle Berner, owner of Feelgoodz was 25, he decided to throw some clothes in a backpack and buy a one-way ticket to Thailand to embark upon his often now referred to as, “adventure of a lifetime.” He spent an entire year there, fully immersed, living just like the locals. He learned the difficult and beautiful language and unbeknownst to him at the time created the foundation for a brand new endeavor that would completely change his life. After his amazing year in Thailand ended, Berner decided that he wanted to find a way to give back. “We just had to…”

Kyle, being industrious learned that Thailand is the world’s leading exporter of natural rubber, and because of this vast natural rubber supply, there is excellent quality at an amazing value. Therefore Feelgoodz was able to create some of the most comfortable flip-flops quite possibly in the world at a pretty reasonable price. These flops are made from 100% eco-friendly natural latex rubber harvested from tropical Yang Para trees and come in a variety colors.

Recalling my experience with Kyle, first time meeting then new neighbor and young entrepreneur from New Orleans, almost seven years back while living in some apartments in South Austin, way too terrible to name. Admittedly, Kyle was a great neighbor, perhaps the kind you would want to borrow sugar from or help out building an easy to assemble furniture kit with. Kyle was ALWAYS full of ideas, all sorts of ideas. Little did I know his adventures would lead him down such a promising path.

Kyle along with his generous and hardworking staff at Feelgoodz have been kind enough to offer an amazing chance for you to WIN a few pairs of these sweet flops, as well as a chance to support an amazing cause.

In the true spirit of nourishment, Feelgoodz has launched The 5-5-5 Flip-Flop Feeding Fiesta campaign. For every pair of Flip-Flops sold, 5 children in Thailand will be fed for 1 day.  Feelgoodz is partnering with Green Coop Thailand to provide Fair Trade jasmine rice to children in rural villages.  In addition to providing this nourishment, customers receive $5 off their purchase as well as $5 flat rate shipping. Amazing deal, right?!

The 5-5-5 Flip-Flop Feeding Fiesta shows how a simple purchase can make a difference in the life of a child. Just enter the code FIESTA upon purchase to activate the Fiesta!

CONTEST: To enter to win a pair Feelgoodz flip-flops, simply go online and follow @feelgoodz on twitter and re-tweet this: (*Winners will be selected within the week!)

RT @launch787 – Spread the word: #555FlipFlopFeedingFiesta! Every pair @feelgoodz flip-flops sold, 5 children fed! http://tiny.cc/feelgoodz

Now for a little info on Feelgoodz from owner, Kyle Berner:

Kyle, why did you start FeelGoodz?  What’s your story?
I was a backpacker in Thailand.  I was walking around one of the local markets in Bangkok and my J Crew flops broke.  I stopped to buy new pair, had a lightbulb moment.  I knew I could use sales of flip-flops in the States to funnel margin percentages to support everyday needs in Thailand. And 2 years later, here we are.

Kyle Berner, Owner of Feelgoodz The Eureka Moment — “So, when I was 25, I threw some clothes in a backpack and bought a one-way ticket to Thailand to embark upon the adventure of a lifetime. I spent an entire year there, living like the locals. I ate the delicious local food, learned the difficult – but beautiful – language, and developed lifelong friendships. It was phenomenal…”

Where does the name FeelGoodz come from? What does it mean?
As soon as I put the flip-flops on my feet in that market in Bangkok, the first thing I thought to myself was, “Man, these feel good.”  And I paused for a moment… “They’re my feelgoodz.“  So it is in direct relation to how comfortable the flip-flops are.

What is your vision for the future of your company? Where do you see yourself in ten years?
To become a for-profit social enterprise that uses sales revenues of conscious products as a vehicle for global social empowerment initiatives.  I see us aiding in poverty alleviation, ridding of malaria, supporting micro-finance, encouraging youth entrepreneurship, ending starvation, supplying clean drinking water, etc.  All through sales of conscious products.

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in starting your business? and how have you dealt with these challenges? anything you would like to note to other other young entrepreneurs just starting out?
The biggest challenge has been in working with our factory overseas.  Having a true understanding on extraction processes, manufacturing processes, and accurate timelines can be an issue.  My advice is to be as detailed as possible to truly understand your supply chain.

Tell us about how Feelgoodz gives back and your involvement in that?
Our current projects are two-fold.  We provide a means of revenue for Kenyan villagers through our Recycle your unFlops campaign, and we are feeding Thai children through our 5-5-5 Flip-Flop Feeding Fiesta.  The vision is to harness the power of the internet to turn everyday consumers into philanthropists.

Do you feel that the people who purchase your products are beginning to adopt the lifestyle that you have based your business mantra after?

Yes!  I’ll be the first to admit that I’m no environmentalist, but I think it is all about taking small steps in a responsible direction.  Our customers can understand and live the “small steps” approach.

Also would you mind listing a few of your favorite causes that you personally
support?
B Corp, 1% for the Planet, Ashoka

Reading about your “Zero Flip-Flop Waste World” mission has really piqued my interest.  What exactly does the FeelGoodz — “Recycle Your unFlop Campaign”entail and how can people get involved?
People can simply send ANY kind of flip-flops or sandals to our partners’ Alabama warehouse facility.  That partner is Soles4Souls.  They just need to mark their package with “Recycle your Unflops” and S4S will partition accordingly.  In return for their involvement, we offer a $5 recycling credit upon future purchases.

Recycle Your unFlop Campaign –”An unFlop is a flip-flop turned into a work of art, crafted by a Kenyan villager, transforming one man’s trash into another man’s treasure. how can you get involved? If you have some flip-flops you want to recycle, you can either send them to a Soles4Souls DC (www.soles4souls.com), or toss them in a Soles4Souls Collection Bin. Soles4Souls has generously agreed to house the flip-flops for up to one year, and at the end of the year, Feelgoodz will send them to Kenya (yes, Kenya!) to a company called UniquEco, the (flip-flop) recycling company. UniquEco (www.uniqueco-designs.com) will take the unFlops, distribute them to Kenyan villagers, and these villagers will make new eco-boutique items out of them to then use for resale. This creates a much needed source of revenue for Kenyan villagers! So, in essence, the unFlop you recycle will, in turn, provide employment for a Kenyan villager one day. Get involved! twitter — @feelgoodz, Facebook — Feelgoodz, or at http://www.feelgoodz.com!

Lastly, where can we find these fabulously soulful flops?
See a list of our stores online!

Posted in contest, Feelgoodz, launch787, 5-5-5 Flip-Flop Feeding Fiesta, upcycling, donation needed, amazing finds, vegan, cool finds, Stuff in Austin | 154 Comments »

18. August 2009 by Candace Carlisle.

PRESS RELEASE

August 18, 2009

Hushed galleries. White walls. “Inside” voices. That’s one way to experience art. But Art Outside 2009 is looking to change that. If you are a visual artist, performer, musician, dancer, comic, filmmaker, crafter, fashion designer, or a creative spirit of any sort - we are looking for you to participate this October 9-11th.

One of Texas’ most anticipated annual art events, Art Outside is a three-day experience for art lovers, families, DIY junkies and avid concert-goers. You’ll perform or display your work in the environs of Apache Pass, located just East of Austin and centered between Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. With over 100+ participants across all media, it’s also an opportunity to meet and network with artists from all over the country, from under-the-radar newcomers to today’s art icons.

Just some of this year’s participants include carnivalian collective Art of Such N’ Such, fresh off their 2009 Bonnaroo performance, eco-chic fashion designer Rene Geneva, recently named Best Local Fashion Designer at the Austin Fashion Awards, blues/vintage rock outfit The Golden Animals, The Mutaytor, Freq Nasty, DIY workshops by The WonderCraft, Comedy by Reggie Watts and Adira Amram, food by Ararat and Happy Vegan Baker and many more. *visit website for full line-up/line-up is subject to change.

SUBMIT YOUR ART NOW: http://www.artoutside.org/submit09

We look forward to reviewing your wild, wonderful creations. With a tradition of showcasing groundbreaking talent on breathtaking grounds, Art Outside has hosted artists and art appreciators since 2004. Founded at Austin Enchanted Forest, Art Outside began as a small gathering of creative souls, and expanded into a destination event for visitors near and far. We pay homage to the Enchanted Forest as we spread our wings over a new landscape, Apache Pass, where we can host more art than ever before. An inspiring expanse of beautiful central Texas landscape, Apache Pass will offer music performance areas, a cantilevered stage, artist tents, camping grounds for full-weekend participants, food and drink vendors. A limited amount of advance 3-day passes are now available for purchase on the website. To learn more, please visit Art Outside-www.artoutside.org.

Take your art OUTSIDE!

Art Seen Alliance

www.artseenalliance.com

Posted in designer opportunities, dallas fashion, wondercraft, Austin Fashion Week, The WonderCraft, austin classes, jewelry making, Insite, Austin Photography, fim fest, movie event, austin art scene, austin crafters, austin fashion, Austin Musicians, photo booth, creative side, dallas artists wanted, art & fashion, music, we make stuff, Sublime Stitching, Treaty Oak Rum, artist person, Paired Hearts, crafting classes, mobile crafting, houston musoc, houston artists, dallas artists, dallas music, film, classes, upcycling, SXSW, artists wanted, austin vendors, austin clothing, Sponsorship Opportunities, austin gifts, Los Angeles Agency, austin music, volunteers wanted, austin jewelers, graffiti - typography, Support this Cause, Fashion, Stuff in Austin, Art Openings, austin vendors wanted, crafty fun, San Antonio Event, austin event, Dallas Clothing, Dallas vendors wanted, Dallas craft, DIY, dallas events, san antonio artists, artist opportunities, trade party, tattoo art, houston music, vegan, indie clothing, cool finds, san antonio music, houston events, san antonio art scene, CD RELEASE | 1 Comment »

8. June 2009 by admin.

First there was Memorial Day Weekend in 2007.

Then there was some random day in June of 2008.

Can anything prepare us for this year’s ultimate day of reckoning?

We’ve seen what the giant veggie dog can do by itself. It can pick people up and look like its going to eat them. It can get very angry and crack the ground just by stomping around.

But what will happen when it comes back to our city with a whole army of its kind?

Join us on INDEPENDENCE DAY to make sure it all turns out the right way!

Entry is $5 and comes with a ticket redeemable for 1 free veggie dog for those not competing.
Also, free NadaMoo ice cream, live music, and special guests for all!

SIGN UP NOW to compete in either the SOLO or DOUBLES categories: http://tinyurl.com/veggiedogcontest

Grilling by the Hot Dog King. All Ages.

iLoveMikeLitt promotes art, culture, and progressive values w/ lots of community participation. This is our 20th event in 2 yrs. All proceeds after expenses will go towards more events.

Posted in cool finds, mike litt, vegan, austin event, Support this Cause, austin vendors, Stuff in Austin | 1 Comment »

17. December 2008 by admin.

I must admit that I am one of those people who are willing to try just about anything that is non-animal product related. When I went to “The Rarest of them All” party this summer I did just that. I happened by this booth in the far off corner while sipping my Mint & Honey Sweet Leaf Tea. At this point of the afternoon I was pretty much on autopilot from fumbling my way through people, but just as my eyes met the nicely packaged sweet potato treats my ears overheard, the words “vegan… not only can your dog eat them but you can munch on them too!” Before I even knew it the words blurted out of my mouth, “REALLY?!” as I grabbed a package off the table and started to scan the ingredients. The girl said, “Sure, I eat them all the time. Try them out…” as she hands me a sample pack, and a couple of their groovey stickers to take with me on my way.

Wasting no time in tearing the package open as I walked away. Immediately I liked them and before I knew it I had finished off the entire sample bag! (admittedly I was pretty hungry since there were no vegan options at the party, but never-the-less…) About five minutes later I was back at the table buying up a couple of bags for my dog who I have to say to this day loves his sweet potato treats, and when he is not looking I help myself to one or two…perhaps maybe even three:)

Bark for Peace is an Austin based, woman owned, start-up business that is truly a concept straight from the heart…the heart of Lisa Knaggs! Bark for Peace treats are crafted from scratch. They are organic, allergen-free, 100% human-grade treats you can EAT WITH your dog! Plus, they’re minimally packaged in 100% biodegradable/compostable packaging.

Organic Vegan treats you can share with your dog…yum:) http://www.barkforpeace.com

They think of everything…

Posted in amazing finds, vegan, austin gifts, austin vendors, Support this Cause, Stuff in Austin | No Comments »