49: Coronavirus: Rising to the Challenge for Social Good with Stephanie Howard

During this unprecedented, uncertain time, here's a CHALLENGE for us all to collaborate for social good TOGETHER. What are others doing during this difficult time to help their communities? What can YOU be doing to make a difference today? On this episode, Stephanie Howard —owner of How and Why—joins us today from her industrial design studio. As an international award-winning designer of wearables for companies such as Nike, New Balance, and Reebok, Stephanie started her own firm nearly a decade ago. She previously led the innovation team at Seventh Generation, a company lauded for its focus on sustainability. Her work taps into connecting a large network to design mission-based products—and the current global health crisis is no exception. Stephanie tells us how a family health scare thrust her into the world of caring for a loved one at home. These days, in the midst of COVID-19, her work has been reprioritized to lead a design challenge that each and every one of us can participate in to help others in the unfortunate event that we are faced with a similar circumstance. Huge corporations such as 3M, Nike, Tesla, and many more are making headlines for retooling and repurposing their operations to provide PPEs (personal protective equipment) to hospitals—but each of us individually, as family members, as community leaders, has the power to make an impact. As entrepreneurs and small business owners, we are innovative, resourceful problem solvers. Learn how YOU can put your expertise to use during this time of uncertainty. In This Episode We Cover: The triad of product design How she helps companies with their innovation planning How macro trends differ from seasonal or fashion trends How design has the power to move people How to keep long-term relationships with clients How she started a DIY face shield design movement How anyone can help And SO much more! Links from the Show BiggerPockets New Balance Reebok Nike Timberland Northface Vans Instagram - #DIYFaceShield Link for the sewing patterns for face masks to be used in combination with face shields Check the full show notes here: http://biggerpockets.com/bizshow49 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices