In this episode, Belle chats with the founder of Opolis Optics, James Merrill. Opolis is an eyewear brand that originated in Maine, and is now based in Venice Beach, CA. Their mission focuses on reducing ocean and landfill-based plastic, and turning it into high-quality products, which, in-turn, supports the communities most impacted by plastic pollution. In this episode, you'll learn about the impact of plastic pollution, the ins and outs of manufacturing with rPET, or recycled plastic, the challenges of raising capital and finding investors for your business, how covid impacted smaller brands, and so much more! Opolis Optics Website https://opolisoptics.com/ Discount Code for Listeners: Don't forget to use code, "FOF20" for 20% off your order! FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM Opolis ⁠@opolis_optics James @jamesmrrll Belle ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bellebarreiroseiden⁠⁠ Flavor of Fashion ⁠⁠⁠@flavoroffashionpodcast ⁠⁠ FOLLOW ON TIKTOK, TWITTER & FACEBOOK TikTok @opolis.optics Twitter @Opolis4 Facebook @Opolisoptics (view the World Recycling Day Surfrider Clean-Up Recap on Facebook) MENTIONED IN EPISODE Girlfriend Collective Washing Machine Attachment (Microfiber Filter) https://girlfriend.com/products/water-filter STOKEDPLASTIC™️ https://opolisoptics.com/pages/stoked-plastic StokedPlastic® Ski/Snowboard Goggles https://opolisoptics.com/pages/pre-order Let My People Go Surfing book by Yvon Chouinard https://www.patagonia.com/product/let-my-people-go-surfing-revised-paperback-book/889833674516.html? Trade Shows - Surf Expo & Outdoor Retailer https://surfexpo.com/ https://outdoorretailer.com/ Outdoor Retailer Innovation Award Article https://thedaily.outdoorretailer.com/news/brands-and-retailers/opolis-optics-turns-plastic-bottles-into-goggles/ Maine Outdoor Brands Association https://maineoutdoorbrands.com/ Hansen's Surfboards in Encinitas https://www.hansensurf.com/ L.L. Bean https://www.llbean.com/ Sea Bags https://seabags.com/ Faro x Opolis Surfboard Bags https://faroboardbags.com/ SurfRider https://www.surfrider.org/ Cake https://ridecake.com/en-US JAMES'S RECOMMENDATIONS LA SPOTS (Venice) The Butcher's Daughter | @thebutchersdaughter_official Blue Bottle Coffee | @bluebottle Great White | @greatwhite MAINE SPOTS (Kennybunkport) The Clam Shack @theclamshack The Wharf | (general area, lots of restaurants) Federal Jacks | @federaljacks --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flavor-of-fashion-podcast/support