By Andrea Siedsma
Noah Johnson is part of a growing cadre of eco-conscious entrepreneurs who are trying to change the way consumer goods and global commerce are produced. He is an eco warrior of sorts, collecting anything from used banners to billboards for his Encinitas, Calif.-based company The Progress Project. Noah launched the company in 2010 with his wife Jolene. Using recycled materials, The Progress Project makes everything from messenger bags to laptop sleeves, iPad wallets, surfboard bags, tote bags, and even custom orders.
The SDSFF sends out big hoots & shakas to Noah and his family for keeping it local and green. (And we think he’s even more rad for donating some of his killer Progress Project recycled beach bags full of SDSFF goodies for Nautilus Pass holders ). Below, Noah talks about the passion behind The Progress Project and how the family-run business is moving full-speed ahead.
Background Check: I grew up in La Mesa, Calif. As a kid, I was very
passionate about athletics, including surfing, soccer and baseball. After high
school, I served an apprenticeship with a commercial electrician and since have
sold women’s shoes, waited tables, partied pretty hard, bartended, managed
hotel food and beverage departments, and been an auditor/consultant for bar and
restaurant owners and their managers.
Age: 35 (Turns 36 in June)Hobbies: Work, painting, ocean, and family.
What Fuels Me: Having a unique vision / idea and committing to do
whatever necessary for the result.
Picking a Passion: As I went through the process of deciding
what to do, I noticed repeatedly that there was (and still is) a clear
difference between many of the products on the market being labeled as “green”
and actually being green. I thought then
that if I could get my hands on materials that had been used, but not recycled
yet and make legit products with them, that would be the rad.
Fulltime Family Affair: Up until now, my wife and I have run The
Progress Project. It’s just been the two of us doing literally everything
unless one of our awesome neighbors lends a hand, which does happen (you know
who you are and we love you).
The Big Challenge: Because we are still pretty small, our many
challenges have been mainly about fueling growth. It has always been our goal
to compete with other brands that bring similar products to market. Finding
resources to grow a business/brand that is well outside the mainstream is seemingly
nearly impossible. No rich uncles or
trust funds here, so the main thing has just been staying focused, persistent
and really stubborn long enough for the right opportunity for growth to come
along.
Eco Education: Unfortunately, I know there’s still a lot of green washing going on, so while consumers are becoming more conscious, it is becoming more challenging to decipher which products are actually eco-friendly, and even more, businesses that are actually owned and run by people who are eco-friendly themselves. For example, some companies promote themselves and their products as being eco-friendly, but unfortunately, it’s just marketing.
Making Progress: After three years, on May 1, 2013, The Progress Project is
evolving into Progress Brand Mfg. and moving into a space with our eco warrior
pals *enjoy handplanes (congrats to them as well). We’ll have more than a dozen
sewing machines along with other rad machines, and consequently it will increase our
production capabilities by, well, 12. Also, look for lots of fun stuff like a
new website, video series, eco blog and much more with our newest partner Album
Agency. The Progress Project will live on; I just can’t say how in this moment.
I can promise you that it’s going to be pretty epic.
Noah in The Progress Project workshop |
The Progress Project Assistants-Noah and Jolene's twins |
The Progress Project keeps it in the family (Noah & Jolene's teenage daughter) |
Not a family man anymore.. cheated on his wife broke up his family. All around shitty guy trying to front on the spiritual life
ReplyDeleteNot a family man anymore.. cheated on his wife broke up his family. All around shitty guy trying to front on the spiritual life
ReplyDeleteTrue story.
ReplyDelete