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Nate Checketts, Rhone: Finding Strength in Numbers – Well Made E114

April 15, 2020 · RSS · Apple Podcasts

In the midst of a pandemic, businesses and consumers are prompted to hurry up and wait. Meanwhile, the definition of essentials is governed, retail locations are ordered to close, and more and more people are out of work.

While a period of in-between can feel stagnant, Rhone founder Nate Checketts decided to take action. He recruited 20 brands to join BRANDS × BETTER — a new coalition of companies that have pledged to donate a portion of their funds to COVID-19 relief organizations. This not only supports to relief efforts, but keeps businesses up and running. 

From "Not another coronavirus email" to unwavering product launches, Nate and his team at Rhone have opted for action instead of reaction and adapted with solutions that are right for their business and their customers.

8 brandxbetter WM114 nate checketts rhone
Nate Checketts, Rhone: Finding Strength in Numbers – Well Made E114

Nate kicks things off with the fundamentals: The innovative technology fabrics that Rhone is known for (2:27). He shares why they're fast launch and industry naiveté lead to signature innovations (6:09). One of those innovations was their Gold Fusion fabric, which was initially developed by an astrophysicist and biochemist as a solution for crop disease (8:10).


Nate shares the concept and path to launch Rhone's new project, Brands × Better — a coalition of companies giving back to COVID-19 efforts (14:52). Like so many brands, Rhone has had to find a way to survive amidst a pandemic. Nate shares how Rhone handled things a bit differently to blaze a path forward with added sensitivity and consciousness (20:40). He and Stephan reflect on the added value in human interactions right now (34:25) and how they've seen trends accelerate during a time when we’re more reliant on ecommerce (34:25). Finally, Nate shares how brands can apply to be part of Brands x Better (39:25).

Also mentioned in this episode: 


Find this and all future episodes on iTunes, Google Play, and here on the Lumi blog. This episode was edited by Evan Goodchild.

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