Ocean SF is committed to sustainable clothing solutions to reduce micro plastics in our Oceans. This year the United Nations will focus on Innovation at their World Ocean Week beginning June 8th. Please mark your calendars to observe this significant week and participate in this UN event using the links below.
Sydney – Founder and CEO, Ocean SF, San Fransisco, California
As the challenges to the ocean continue to grow, so does the need for novel solutions and the people driving them.
To that end, the UN World Oceans Day works to build awareness and drive innovation—relating to the introduction of new methods, ideas, or products—is a dynamic term, and one that is fundamentally filled with hope.
The UN World Oceans Day celebration this year will take place as a virtual eventproduced in partnership with Oceanic Global.
The event will shed light on innovations from around the globe in areas of need that are both promising and proven, ones that instill optimism, and ones that have demonstrated the ability to scale effectively. It will also provide a platform to thought leaders of varied backgrounds, who are paving new paths forward for the health of our ocean and our planet.
The programming of the day and subsequent events taking place throughout World Ocean Week (week of 8 June 2020) will explore innovations across categories including technology, systems infrastructure, resource management, consumer products, finance and scientific exploration — and will outline how these innovations can be applied, their potential impact, and the resources needed to transform them into long-lasting solutions.
This year’s theme is especially relevant in the lead-up to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which will run from 2021 to 2030. The Decade will strengthen international cooperation to develop the scientific research and innovative technologies that can connect ocean science with the needs of society.
Wear your values. It has been determined that there are approximately 4 billion plastic microfibers in every cubic kilometer of the deep ocean and 94% of drinking water tested in the US contains plastic microfibers.
A study released in June of 2016 by Patagonia states that a typical fleece jacket sheds up to 250,000 plastic microfibers into water supplies every time it is washed research was done by the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
OCEAN SF ANNOUNCES THE WEAR YOUR VALUES CAMPAIGN GEARED TOWARD YOUNGER CONSUMERS SEEKING SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING
San Francisco, California, April 14 — Ocean SF a sustainable and ethical outdoor sportswear brand focused on sailing announces its return to basics in their Wear Your Values Campaign due to launch in May of 2021.
Ocean SF launched their groundbreaking signature jacket in 2018 made of 100% Merino Wool and made in San Francisco on Mission and 6th Street. This jacket replaces water polluting polyester fleece in the market, keeps sailors and outdoor enthusiasts warm while wet, and is antibacterial. The jacket has many key features for active individuals like a hidden pocket for keys and credit cards and an easy to access interior pocket for mobile phones.
The Wear Your Values campaign is designed for younger consumers who want to purchase clothing with a clean supply chain that is made of 100% sustainable cotton. This allows younger consumers to purchase Ocean SF at an affordable price. Ocean SF will follow this spring line with bamboo and linen due to hit this summer.
Ocean SF is a social impact brand that believes in environmental protection and human rights. Our fabric is sourced from BLUESIGN certified factories and our products are made in San Francisco, California.
Environmental Factors
Polyester fleece pollutes drinking water when washed. Today, microfibers are found in the fish we eat and in the bodies of human cadavers. It has been determined that there are approximately 4 billion plastic microfibers in every cubic kilometer of the deep ocean and 94% of drinking water tested in the US contains plastic microfibers.
A study released in June of 2016 by Patagonia states that a typical fleece jacket sheds up to 250,000 plastic microfibers into water supplies every time it is washed research was done by the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara (see link below for more on the study).
Fast fashion creates clothing that is disposable. Made of poor quality materials that pollute our environment, they are quickly added to landfill. The processing of textiles has a significant impact on both the consumption and pollution of clean water throughout the world.
The Human Impact
The competitive nature of fast fashion has resulted in an increase in sweatshops being utilized to meet retailer demands. Employees in these overseas factories are underpaid and overworked, with wages well below the acceptable minimum – without health benefits or overtime pay. These employees are subjected to hazardous materials and toxic dyes containing lead.
Founder:
Ocean SF was founded by Sydney Chaney Thomas, a sailor, and avid skier, in 2018. Sydney designed her first prototype in 2016 to wear sailing in the often cold and treacherous San Francisco Bay. As a skier, she knew that if wool got wet it would not make you hyperthermic in the same way polyester can. As a lifetime environmentalist, she also knew polyester was a source of pollution for the oceans and waterways. “Ocean SF was born out of the inspiration and belief that our clothes can and should be comfortable and beautifully designed, without having a negative impact on the environment,” says, Sydney.
How do you want to be remembered? What is your lasting legacy in this world? When we ask ourselves these questions we plant seeds for living a life that we ourselves can deeply value. And, in the end isn’t it what we leave behind that matters most?
What Kind of Leader Are You?
Besides running Ocean SF which is my first priority and number one passion I do other things to pay the bills that allow me to invest every cent I made with Ocean SF back into Ocean SF. Therefore in January of 2019 when I was asked to teach a class at UC Berkeley called Effective Leadership I jumped at the chance. I took on this responsibility because I deeply wanted to understand what elements comprise a great leader and how do we strengthen those inherent characteristics in ourselves, learn new leadership skills, and become better at what we do? These are enormous questions with a billion facets. This challenge came a few months into both my children being away at college for the first time. I had time on my hands in a way I had not had for decades. So, I spent the next six months reading. In case your wondering it would take three life times to read all of the books written on leadership, leadership theory, and the thousands of biographies written on the greatest leaders of our time. This is not to mention the countless articles and videos on the subject. Layer on this the many movements of this current period of time #metoo #blacklivesmatter and so on.
I spent day and night reading preparing for this class, but the funny things is that when I read my student reviews the students said the highlights of the class was hearing about my experiences and the 20 years I spent working in tech start ups, corporations and the senate. They particularly liked my stories of sexual harassment.
Apart from my personal history and experience I prepared by reading the 1,300 pages I was assigning to my students that coming summer. I had inherited the class, syllabus and reading material. As per the Dean I could only modify the syllabus by 15%. I used that 15% to restructure the class and update three of the topics to reflect the current leadership issues of our time. One of the books I inherited was A Leaders Legacy by Kouzes & Posener. When I read that by determining our legacy we are forced to think of today’s actions in a larger context I stopped short because the essence of true leadership is this single question. What do we leave behind and how does every decision and action we take play into that?
The Work We Chose to Do
After my husband died four years ago I was forced to make money to support my children. My husband was a Chief Financial Officer for a mid-size company and he did, or did not, do most of our financial planning. Needless to say when he died of a sudden heart attack at 54 years old I had to scramble to pay the bills and get our two children into college and pay for it. I had just started Ocean SF and didn’t want to see it die as well, so I took on every side hustle I could find and fit into my schedule. I would often work 15 days in a row. Looking back I regret none of it because I taught my daughters how to work hard. It also showed me that hard work pays off.
One of my favorite side hustles was working for a wedding cater where I catered 26 weddings one spring and summer. Another was working for a distillery where I bottled boutique liquor with other day laborers. These were fascinating gigs that I would at this point in time pay to do again. Eventually, I gravitated to the jobs where I could have the most impact. Refilling a buffet of food was fun, but the impact I was making was minimal. Helping Gold Bar bottle whiskey had a significant impact because I saw in the owners the kind of dedication I had for my own company, and I wanted to be the sort of worker that I would like to have. That gig also had other perks which included meeting engaging people employed in the gig economy and for me lots of whiskey. Not everyone got whiskey, but I did, so I drank a lot of high quality whiskey that year.
Finding Your Legacy & Providing Impact
The legacy perspective explicitly reveals that we make a difference. Then the only question remaining to consider is, What kind of difference do I want to make? — A Leaders Legacy
When I started Ocean SF I knew it would have enormous impact and I wanted my time to matter. When someone you are married to for 20 years goes to work one day and doesn’t come back this gives you a very different view of the world and your place in it. I remember thinking at the time that everything I did moving forward would matter very much. I was changed by what happened and from then on I didn’t want to waste a single moment. I had no time for television, or hanging out with people I didn’t like, or doing work for difficult people and because my heart was broken I felt entitled to do this for myself. In the past I had let things slide. I would tolerate situations so as not to cause problems, but no more. There came a point where I simply could not compromise.
Since I began this chapter of my life everything I do every day has high impact and contributes to the legacy I will leave behind.
People will tell you raising money is difficult. Is it? That doesn’t make sense when the business publications report millions even billions in investments annually. So, let’s begin with the idea that raising money is easy. Move forward with that notion. But not all money is good. My first investment was from a close friend I met in college. At the time I was desperate to get my fabric out of Thailand. It is never good to be desperate and looking for money. This is now a rule of mine. However, at the time I felt I had no choice and took the money.
I’m not ashamed to admit this was a period of my life when I operated out of fear. My husband had just died suddenly of a heart attack and I had two kids in high school heading to college. I had a nice chunk of money in the bank that I was afraid to spend, therefore, I was looking for a way to dilute my risk. I believed this was the savvy way to approach my business. By believing I was sharing the risk I was also committing to the possibility of failure. In the end that investment cost me many things, but most importantly it almost cost me a very close friendship. Apart from the friendship that spent two years on the rocks, it cost me both time and money in ways that I can’t even calculate. Next rule, when friends invest make sure they know that they are hands off in the business. They do not have the right to act as unsolicited consultants because they have invested in your company. Keep the drama low and make this clear at the onset. Additionally, investors are not partners.
My next investor I found through writing about my company. At the time I was writing a local column for free. I wrote about my life and my business. Never underestimate the power of adding value and sharing what you have to give. In my column I shared my wisdom and experience. How this ended 2 years later is another column. But, writing for free opened the door to a great opportunity that I could not have foreseen. I closed this round at a nearby coffee shop in one hour. This was the perfect investor. He provides me with support of all kinds. He is truly an angel.
One of my favorite sayings is:
Giving and gratitude is a hallmark of success.-Unknown
At every opportunity I make it a point to give. I give 10% of every sale I make to one of my ocean causes. At the end of the year I pulled out my check book and sent small donations to my Alma Mater, the San Fransisco Ballet and Santa Maria the little church I love in Orinda, California. But, I also give of my time. I write this column and I write on my blog. I teach a class at UC Berkeley and I make it a point to build connections with my students and this takes time. I provide as much value as I possibly can. If I had not agreed to write the column without being paid I would not have found the investor that has kept my dream alive. Give. Give. Give.
At the end of January of 2020 prior to the pandemic I pitched Silicon Valley Forum in San Fransisco. I wanted to raise 1.5M for inventory and advertising. From this event I met two new business partners that helped me grow my business. I had investor inquiries and then the world as we knew it stopped. I sat in my back yard and cried. When I started Ocean SF my husband died suddenly. He was in perfect health, went to work and didn’t come back. My first prototype had just arrived. I was setting up my website. My future looked amazingly bright and then it didn’t. In 2020 it happened again. The expectation on both occasions was “Well, that’s the end of that.” As I sat in my backyard my phone rang interrupting my moment of despair. This friend told me not to worry that it was just a matter of time before my brand took off and that I should take it as a blessing that I wasn’t further along with stores across the country like other retailers.
Even though retail took an enormous hit I persevered. I did another production run of my signature jacket and was able to sell most of it, now I am working on my cotton series. My work employs many other people and I was able to keep my sample makers busy and my factory running. I was thankful that I did make sales. Some of them I hand delivered, but every day when I took orders I was grateful. I am thankful for what I do have and that I have the capital to continue to pursue my dream of sustainable sailing apparel.
Additionally, there is another kind of capital that is worth more than money. In 2020 I spoke to a business coach who told me to remove anyone from my life who did not support my business. There were a few people close to me who really didn’t want to hear about Ocean SF and they certainly didn’t buy or wear my clothing. Just like we have to sort through our closets and remove the things that do not serve us, so it is with friends and family. I put these people on the back burner and brought into focus those who believe in me. My two biggest fans are Brad Helms and Will Paxton offering countless thankless hours helping me with my photography and wearing, promoting and buying my clothes. Other major supporters are Craig Nomura who advises me on every detail of the business and David (pictured above) who wears all my clothes and models for me. As I move into 2021 these are the people and countless others that I hold close because they are worth more than their weight in gold.
If you want to raise money do not operate out of fear and desperation. Give of your time and talents as the world is a circular economy. Surround yourself with only those that believe in your dreams and support you 100%. Ask for help. What we may think is a chore, others find a pleasure. It feels good to help other people and the people around you want to help you. Ask for help and most importantly give it.
