Naomi Blackman, co-founder of Alder Apparel, shares her entrepreneurial journey, driven by the vision of creating an inclusive and sustainable outdoor apparel brand. She discusses how they identified market gaps, began with one product, and grew their business through community feedback and strategic partnerships. Ultimately, they delve into their challenges, key insights, commitment to their brand’s vision, collaborations with REI and Roots, and navigation of a direct-to-consumer and omni-channel business model. Get full access to Full Circle at www.rarecircles.com/full-circle Alder Apparel website https://www.alderapparel.com/ Alder Apparel Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alderapparel/ Show notes: 07:26 The Genesis of Alder: From Personal Frustration to Brand Creation 12:03 The First Product Launch 14:41 Navigating Growth and Community Engagement 24:13 Expanding the Brand with Collaborations and Partnerships 30:34 Reflecting on the Entrepreneurial Journey and Future Aspirations Full Circle Conversations is a podcast hosted by Ethan Song. Hear about the founding story of today’s leading athletic brands and learn about the trends that are reshaping the business of sports. Full Circle is where sports, wellness and business converge. For more Full Circle content, visit https://www.rarecircles.com/full-circle This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fullcirclepod.substack.com