We are the Gate Keepers

As the largest industry in the world, Retail can improve lives, help ecosystems, and impact economies. We are witnessing retailers shifting to a more sustainable future because our consumers are demanding it. Listen in as our own Amy Loewenberg and Tommy Brown, the St. Louis Zoo’s Retail manager and Conservation Buyer discuss the economic, social, and environmental keys of sustainability, while giving us some tools and resources to make sustainable buying decisions for better tomorrow. 

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https://www.stlzoo.org/

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Transcript

Dondrill Glover: 0:02

Welcome to The New York now podcast, a modern wholesale market for retailers and specialty buyers seeking diversity and discovery, gathering twice a year in America's design capital, New York City. It's where buyers and designers on Earth have refreshed and dedicated collection of eclectic lifestyle products.

Amy Loewenberg: 0:21

Hello, everyone, and welcome to The New York now spotlight podcast. I'm your host Amy Lowenberg, senior relations manager for New York now, community spotlight podcaster and all around retailer advocate. My focus is to bring you important information, conversations and perspectives from both sides of the aisle. Today's conversation is with Tommy Brown, the retail manager and conservation buyer at the St. Louis Zoo. As an Eagle Scout Tommy has always had a heart for conservation and sustainability. Tommy has to VAs from Maryville University in St. Louis to certificates from Tokyo University in Tokyo, and has a master's work in Biology from Miami University. Through his retail career, he has worked for Dillards feared famous bar Six Flags Inc, and the St. Louis Zoo. Currently at his institution. Tommy is the retail manager and the buyer of conservation drugs. He also serves as the chair of the recognition committee and is a member of the D I A committee. Tommy has consulted for museums, attractions, theme parks and zoos throughout the world. He has also volunteered for local theater groups scouts and the Museum of transportation. Tommy currently serves on the board of zag which stands for zoo aquarium and garden buyers group and other advisory boards. He's also served on the museum and more magazine advisory panel and has had many published work throughout the industry. As a professional speaker, he has delivered many talks throughout the world on retail, merchandising, conservation, diversity and sustainability. Not only is he a noteworthy speaker, he has received industry awards in retail and education. One of his most prized recognitions are two stone plaques signed by the crafters of Kenya, Africa, thanking him for his work on the Kenyan crafting community. Let's get started. So Hey, Tommy, I'm so excited to be talking with you today.

Tommy Brown: 2:27

Well, Amy, thanks so much for having me. I really appreciate it.

Amy Loewenberg: 2:30

Oh my god. I mean, I was so fortunate to have been asked to go to our sister market IGS where I was not only able to meet you, but I got to jump onto your sustainable retail tour that you let it market. And I just I quickly learned just how much I adore you.

Tommy Brown: 2:50

Thank you, I appreciate you.

Amy Loewenberg: 2:52

Very welcome. You are vivacious and tenacious and all the other issuers and I can't think of right now. But over and above everything, you are truly passionate about what you do, and how you can help others do what they do better. Because you're just truly a good human. Thank you. You're welcome. So let's dive in. Okay, ready? Yes. Okay. So I know that conservation is an intentional effort at the St. Louis Zoo. And I definitely want to talk about how and what you guys are doing to ensure every aspect of the retail operation is looked at through a lens of conservation. But before we go there, why don't you talk on the broader subject? What is anthropological conservation, and why is it important? And also just a side note, I'm used to talking about conservation commerce. So what is the difference between anthropological conservation and conservation commerce?

Tommy Brown: 3:51

Well, glad you asked that, Amy. anthropological conservation, is looking at culture conservation and commerce, we could also say that people environment and economics, or conservation commerce just basically looks at the people connection with the economic connection. So we want to do more than that. We want to delve into the cultural aspect as well. Because conserving culture is very important, because it's who we are. So we do that too, just besides the economics of conservation. So that's why we call it anthropological conservation, because this is putting the human first and foremost, and that's how we do here at the St. Louis Zoo. We want to make sure that we're looking at the person around these environmental systems and habitats of these animals. Because helping them actually creates change. And we can do that through economics.

Amy Loewenberg: 4:47

Got you got it. Thank you for breaking that down. It makes perfect sense.

Unknown: 4:51

You're welcome. Well, we wanted to talk about you know what the conservation lenses to so when we look so A conservation lens that we looked through at the St. Louis Zoo is very important when we're choosing products, we want to get products that actually support our mission. So we have different Institute's that we support, that directly connect back to an animal or a species that are in a certain part of the world. Well, of course, there's people that eat around these animals and species, and we want to help them. So what we do is we connect with the people in these environmental systems, and look for their hand crafts and whatnot like that. So therefore, we can help the people that are around the animals that we are really trying to help at the St. Louis Zoo, which is very exciting.

Amy Loewenberg: 5:43

It is incredibly exciting. It makes perfect sense. So how does one possibly support all of that, like, do they need to? And what do you do to manage the retail efforts and the zoo's commitment to sustainable retail?

Unknown: 6:00

Well, sustainable retail is huge. So it's more than just craps and whatnot like that from around the world, we also have to look at sustainability as a whole, because sustainability as an environmental, social and economic look. So those are things that we always have to look at, as a whole picture in retail. So for example, if it's a toy we're buying, we also want to look at the packaging of that toy. Does it have plastics on that toy that we don't need in the packaging. So we want to make sure that we're working with our vendors to remove that plastic as well. So anything that's not needed, we're asking vendors not to put on the packaging, because we have to look at more than just the item itself, but the end like of the product, and the in light of the packaging. So those are all things that help with sustainability efforts as a whole, for the gift shops. So we look at things also in plush, we have plush that's made out of recycled material, now we're in the old days, you would just have plush, and usually it was virgin material that necessarily was not good for the environment to keep harvesting from. So now we got recyclables within these plush pieces that makes it a whole lot better for us, the consumer and the vendor in the world at large. So those are some of the things that we can look at, besides just the hand craft is the whole effort of sustainability. And then we also look at the gift store itself. What can you do in the gift store that's going to help sustainability? Well, for us, we have solar panels, so we are sustainable, we want to make sure we have a low carbon footprint, LED lights, LED lights really enhance the product too. So it's a win win situation, you're going to get a better presentation for your products, through LED lighting. And we don't have to pay for the electric anymore because we're solar. So that's a win win win for everyone.

Amy Loewenberg: 8:07

It is a win win win.

Unknown: 8:09

We want to keep it that way because going green actually saves green. So we want to make sure that when you're going green that you're saving the money too. So people have to pay for the energy that's, that's coming through the gift shop that's even better. And that makes that money that we won't spend on utilities, go to help projects that we do at right, which is awesome.

Amy Loewenberg: 8:35

Yeah, absolutely. You're bringing it right back to right back into your mission.

Unknown: 8:41

Exactly. And money always follows mission. So if you always live by that philosophy as a museum, zoo, whatever you may be, if people believe in your mission, they will spend the money, or they'll even give you the money, they'll help you out. So people want to feel like they're part of something. And zoos are a great thing to be part of because we're actually helping environmental systems, animals, and a lot of people around the world.

Amy Loewenberg: 9:10

Oh my god, let's just take a moment to honor the St. Louis Zoo for a moment. We should probably mention at this point that when you visit the St. Louis Zoo, there is no shortage of things to see and do home to over 14,000 protected animals. The zoo has over 90 acres of animal habitats, attractions, shopping and dining for you and your family to enjoy. And you can also find zoo activities and programs for people of all ages and abilities and clearly, clearly you support conservation and submission.

Unknown: 9:42

Absolutely. And we're free to get in. You're free to get in there. We absolutely do not charge anyone because we believe that everyone should have access to conservation and animals. So we don't charge a dime to walk through our gates. That's kind

Amy Loewenberg: 9:57

of all sorts of beautiful but you know what I I would take that entry fee, and I would funnel it right into your store.

Tommy Brown: 10:03

Oh, well, thank you, we appreciate that very much.

Amy Loewenberg: 10:08

So, you know, consumers have been getting smarter and smarter, right, it's easier and easier to find the resources that you're talking about the, the, the retailers and the brands that are concentrating on just being more sustainable, providing more of an ethical retail experience. So, obviously, the zoo being one of them, use some great products. They're always stories I know. So tell me about how you discover these types of environmentally friendly products.

Unknown: 10:41

Well, some come from suggestions from people that actually shop in our stores. Some actually come from keepers that's been worldwide. And then others come directly from us buyers going to great trade shows like New York now. And yeah, yeah, that's right, you're out. And IDs and other trade shows throughout history. So there's a wealth of information and knowledge at these shows as well. So all we stopped by a vendor's booth, when you see something that's interesting, that looks like it could be a conservation product, and ask them to tell you the story, you'd be so surprised at these different stories that you'll find from these vendors that are having these great trade shows. And they'll take the time. And usually they get very excited to tell you their stories, because the people that are crafting these items, they know personally, and when you take a personal interest in somebody, and what they're doing, that's where the magic happens at. And it's such a magical time, when you see that when their face lights up, and they go, Oh, my goodness, you're interested in my product that my friend made. And that changes a whole storyline right there.

Amy Loewenberg: 11:56

Well, I mean, you got me right there, I'm all about the connection. And I love all the conversation that happens at market and all the business that takes place. And we are an industry based on relationships, right and learning about new people and new cultures, and then bringing them and that information to a whole new bevy of people who haven't seen it before. So I mean, just the whole process is kind of gets me all excited.

Unknown: 12:23

And see, that's why culture is so important in conversation, because it is about cultures. And we need to celebrate each other's cultures and whatnot. Because if we have a culture of caring a culture of who we are as a human, and humanity as a whole, we can make wonderful things happen. But we have to take the time to reach out to that other culture and connect to it. And that's so important. So we want to make sure that we're doing that both environmentally, socially and economically, because we don't want to go into a culture and hurt them, you know, such as corporations would go in and poison their strings and whatnot, because they needed to manufacture something, we want to make sure that we're not supporting those efforts, because that's bad for their environment, not only for the animals, but for them as well. We also want to make sure that there's a social justice issue as well, that we want to make sure that they're being paid a fair wage, that do they have access to medical care, those are all things that are very important. Now, sometimes those aren't going to be available in some of these nations that we have craps in, our medical care is far away. But we always try to make sure that the economically just there. Because that is something that can change lives, if they can take that money and invest it in themselves or their village, you can see change. And that's where it's very important. And we also like to always focus on women within these communities, because we focus on women. And we know that they have some powers within these villages, to change things. So they will take the money and give it to the families to make sure that the money is getting distributed appropriately. In that way there there can be to change. For example, they could take the money from crafts, by goats with it, and then all of a sudden they have another sustainable resource for their village. So there's a lot of things that are very complex, and then just don't stop over there overseas, but look at your own gift shop as well. What are you doing for your employees? Are you actually going into communities that need help that may not have the best income levels? Are you reaching out to those people to help you? And maybe one of them can be one of your associates in the store. They change their lives. So just don't change lives abroad but you can change lives here. And so we just have to look in our own communities and see where the greatest needs are to make these efforts happen.

Amy Loewenberg: 15:08

Yeah, I love that I was I was just about to ask you like, How does somebody you know, go about jumping into trying to be a little bit more ethically minded without getting overwhelmed. And it really can be just as simple as reaching out to your own community and seeing what opportunities you can provide, in terms of thinking about more like global products and helping other cultures. That too, can be. I mean, just with all the information you have, I'm thinking of retailers who are so busy these days, you being one of them, you know how you really make it a point to move the needle in your own in your own four walls,

Unknown: 15:48

you have to set goals. I mean, it's so important. They have to be realistic goals. And they have to be goals that are obtainable. Now, you should have a few goals that are going to be way out there in space that you would love to obtain, but you may not, but have those goals, put them on the board, say we're going to be 100% Sustainable by 2028. Okay, that's a goal. So that's a good goal to have. But we also have to have realistic goals to get to that goal. So always make sure that your goals are realistic, as well. But have those ones that you want to shoot for? And hope Yeah, we

Amy Loewenberg: 16:27

all need that like aspirational goal, right? We all need.

Unknown: 16:30

Exactly. I wish I could walk into work one day and go, Oh, my goodness, our gift shop is 100% sustainable. And I would be very happy. But unfortunately, we're just not that place in technology yet. We just can't be there quite yet. Will we be there? Yes, I think someday, we will be there, it's going to take some time, it's going to take a lot of effort, especially on our parts as buyers, because we're the gatekeepers, we are the ones that purchase the stuff at market and other places. So the general public can buy it. So whatever we buy, we're controlling what others buy. And if we buy sustainably, ethically and environmentally sound, then that's what we're passing on to our buyer. And I think that's very important that we ourselves, hold ourselves accountable for these things. Because if there's no accountability on our end, where is the accountability? So accountability in those goals, also help everything. So make sure you have accountability to the goal, and hold yourself to those say, oh, you know what I was supposed to buy 10% of my open to buy on handcrafted. And I only have 5%, right? So hold yourself accountable and say I have to get to that other 5%. And give yourself a date to do it by and then see what the sell through and whatnot is as well. They make decisions on that not everything you buy in conservation, or sustainability is going to sell for you. But you have a wide variety of things out there in the marketplace. That doesn't work, you can try something else. But do something else. Don't just

Amy Loewenberg: 18:28

within that same measure, because you can say the same thing about any piece of product, whether it is you know whether it gives back or not. Right. So we're buyers constantly looking through your inventory, and but just staying to your goal of say 10% or 15%, whatever it is you're you've set for yourself in your store.

Unknown: 18:50

Exactly. Yeah, very important. And if you make these realistic goals, as I've said, you're going to make a difference. But it has to be an intentional effort. Because it is so easy just to sit down at a computer and order stuff from a factory. It really is, yeah, not ask questions, and just get it in and sell it. That's very easy. But to be a buyer that's really concerned about sustainability, the world, it's people, conservation animals, you really have to make a conscious effort to really see the whole product and understand the whole product, and then bring it in and tell the story about the product within your gift store to ensure that you're going to get those sales because it has to have a story in order to sell it. If you just sit there and go, Oh, I got this product over here and it has nothing on it. And no one knows what it is. You're not going to Yeah, sob story.

Amy Loewenberg: 19:52

Yeah. And that's what everybody wants. Now to they want to know that information. They may not ask for it, though. So how do you We're at the St. Louis Zoo, make sure that you're providing that information to the consumer,

Unknown: 20:05

you have three ways we do that. We do it by any tags. We do it by science, and we do it by conversations, we actually talk to the guests in our store, which is so cool that we taste pretty cool. Because it's coming kind of a rarity in today's world. Yes, we do engage our guests. And we tell them stories. We have teen volunteers here, too, that are storytellers. And they engage the guests. We have people that work in the store, and they engage the guest by him on the floor at that point, and I see someone picking up a great item from Kenya or whatnot, I tell them, this is kisi stone, this comes from a village in Africa. And this is how it helps. So these are all things that we can share with one another. oral traditions have come down through humanity from the beginning of time. So if we keep telling stories verbally, that's the best connection you can get in your gifts job. But you have to make that connection. Those interpersonal connections are so important, I can't even stress it that much.

Amy Loewenberg: 21:12

Well, I mean, I guess just in this day, and age, everything is all, you know, we're digital or on the computer, we're, you know what I mean? So making that human connection and sharing that story verbally. You know, I would think that there's probably some hybrid measure that we take where you're sharing information on your website, and then bringing people in. So I think in a lot of ways, we have to embrace that. But it really does come down to the person to person, I

Unknown: 21:44

think, I do too, because when you're holding an item that was handmade by someone, say over an Africa, Indonesia, that they hand crafted this, and now it's in your hands, that is a powerful message right there, when you're holding that item, knowing that it was handcrafted by another human is our humanity within itself, knowing that they're able to impact the environmental systems around them, including the animals within those environmental systems just by hand crafting a piece of art. That's amazing. It's just absolutely astounding, if you think about it, that we as humans can do these wonderful things.

Amy Loewenberg: 22:28

We can and you know, another wonderful thing is that we've got these events called trade shows that we've mentioned before, where we get to pull everybody together under one roof and really take advantage of getting to now just an eclectic wide range group of artists and and learning their stories and and tell me about how, tell me about your experiences at trade shows?

Unknown: 22:54

Well, I mean, trade shows are great, because you can see so many people, as you said under one roof. And I can also visit many countries under one roof. It's sort of like the Epcot the bike. I love that trough because I can visit so many different nations under one roof. And you can understand a lot from talking to the exhibitors there and find out what they're selling. As I had said before. Swahili, African Monterey, what are your vendors there? They make these great teas and hot sauces. Something that you may not think is a conservation product, but it really is a handmade product. It's a food product. Because sometimes people don't want all these tchotchke thing just hanging around the house. But they want a support tree institution museum or whatnot. Zoo aquarium food, people love food. So why not? We're gonna go out of style to go out of style. So the hot sauces, I mean, what a great thing to sell. And they really do sell they sell well for us. And yet, it's a product. That is something that is handmade again, and package with love in Africa, sent over here to us in America. It's

Amy Loewenberg: 24:16

yeah, I mean, I guess a lot of it is really just understanding what the what the expectation is when somebody is going to shop more globally. It's not necessarily, you know, an artifact or jewelry, it permeates the culture and what they eat and what they, you know, sleep on and everything.

Unknown: 24:35

Well, food is the basic of most culture, you know, so that is true, so much that is based around food. So selling food in your gift store, I think is a really good idea, especially if it's a conservation food product, which is relatively new to the marketplace. And I was really excited to see this for the first time at a market actually. Oh my god Notice they have conservation food items. So this was really unique and something that a lot of people hadn't seen before. So as a buyer, you know, we got to keep our eyes open for that new. What's that new, trendy thing? And what's fun? And what are people going to get excited about in your gift store? And people get excited about food?

Amy Loewenberg: 25:21

Yeah, well, you know, what's really cool? Is this. Sorry, I think I interrupted you is, you are you I mentioned earlier that I met you and then I was on your sustainable retail tour. But I'm I'm so excited to say that you're actually going to be doing two tours for New York. Now, this August. Let's see the dates we have August 15. And August 16, at 11am. findable open up on July 25. And space will be limited. So when you receive that email blasts that you can hit that link of what's happening at market or you can go on our website, New York now and go into programs and go to the drop down go into market happenings. You can find Tommy and his tour, and you should sign up. Because I was on your tour. I just know how fantastic they were. And you've kind of like tickled a little bit about what you talk about. But why don't you share a little bit about what we'll be doing?

Unknown: 26:22

Well, me on this tour, we're definitely going to be engaging with all of the vendors on the floor. And I think that's going to be very fun to simply because when you come up on an a vendor that selling conservation goods, they're going to want to share these stories. And these stories are going to impact the environment. It's going to impact social economics, between impact all of those things, and we need to ask questions as buyers. So we need to understand that. First of all, what is the question that is for and foremost, is what are we going to ask the vendors when we get to their booth? Where you go? Where is it sourced? Who does it help? Is it sustainable? What is the packaging? What is the price? So you have a list of things that will run down? And this will help the buyers? Get that checklist that they need to go does it check every box does it check some of the boxes to check a few of the boxes, and then you as a buyer have to decide if this is something that you really want to buy or not buy? Again, you are the gatekeeper. But this is going to give you some tools to make that decision instead of just going Oh, that's cute. Let's buy it. Right, which a lot of people still will do. But of course, if you do it this way, and have questions, where you actually know where it comes from and what it's doing, that changes the game right there, and sign it and put it in your store and make magic happen. So these tours are very informative, you're going to learn a lot about sustainability, you're going to learn a lot about asking the right questions to the vendors. And you're going to learn a little bit about conservation and how you're buying actually impacts the world at large. And I think that's very important. Again, it was all about your responsibility as a buyer, because it's it's a lot to hold on your shoulders because you aren't controlling what other people buy. It's in your hands.

Amy Loewenberg: 28:34

Yeah. 100%. I mean, I think what I also really appreciate about your tour is that you're so giving and sharing with information that you're actually talking to the vendor as well, you're talking to, you know, the designer, the maker, the artisan, you know, the sales rep who's just sitting there to pass on that information to the owner, you're actually sharing the information about what these buyers are actually looking for. So you're you're you're really doing a good service full circle, because you're also helping people tighten up their business and their stories. And I mean, you said it before. We're all kind of strapped for time. It's easy to do that mass produced. It's, it's really easy to do that reorder, but that transaction of coming into a booth and making that filled with the information that the buyer needs, but not so absorbing of their time as well. Is is a benefit for

Unknown: 29:36

both. Like it really is a partnership. No matter who you're dealing with in business. It should always be viewed as a partnership, and how are we going to help each other because if you do things in that way, you're going to help a lot of people along the way because it is a partnership if we buy something from a small village and ask ergo, it's a partnership. But we also have to understand that that partnership has some limits, where if the price of something is a little too high for us, or our market, then we need to negotiate with that vendor, our crafter and say, hey, it's a little too much for our market to, to deal with right now. So can we get a discount or whatnot, don't feel that you can't negotiate pricing, because it is all negotiable. And it's still going to be sustainable. Because if we're selling a lot within the store, they're still going to get the money to produce more and more and more and more. But if the price point goes too high, and it no longer sells within the retail area itself, then no one wins. Right? So as to be that partnership of talking about is the price point, right? Is the product, right? And can we come to a conclusion that we are doing the best of both of those getting the best price point. And the best product, if you go work with a vendor, for example, we need that does 10 animals, or bottlecap animals, those are really cool. But for example, if you have a museum of transportation, maybe a penguin made out of bottle caps is not going to be your best thing. So talk to that vendor and say Hey, can you make me a track out of bottle caps? Remember, these are handcrafted items, so they can create just about anything you need. Which is really cool. Because minimums are usually pretty low as well. Yeah, yeah, handcrafted quality for whatever your institution needs. But again, you have to have that partnership with that vendor, and or that crafting village to make sure that you're getting the best bang for your buck, and you're still helping them, which is going to lead to sustainability for both halves.

Amy Loewenberg: 32:01

That's um, that's really vital information too, because I think there's like this misnomer that if it's like, you know, product made in a small village, that there's no opportunity for negotiation, or, you know, changing the structure of something. And I feel like it's either have that thought, or the complete opposite for the people who have taken the time to learn, and to communicate and to build those relationships that they do actually understand that there's probably far more flexibility.

Unknown: 32:33

Flexibility to open communication is very important in our industry. And open communication and fairness is something that goes global. So anywhere I've ever been any trade show, any country, you always find that you can negotiate or develop a product, usually somewhere some way, because products have to come around somehow. And usually they're through someone's imagination, and buyers. If you have something that you want for your gift store, just don't settle for what's on the market, but go and seek who can do it for you. And if you have small MOQ, that's okay. Look to a small crafting village. There's a lot of people out there that would love to have your business. Pricing might be a little high because it is a small quantity. But still you're making an impact on the world. And you're helping your institution with some products that they need that specialized for who you are. Absolutely,

Amy Loewenberg: 33:37

absolutely. So kind of covered a lot here. We really Yeah.

Tommy Brown: 33:46

We could go on and on forever anemia. There's just

Amy Loewenberg: 33:49

well go on just a little bit more. Is there anything that we haven't touched on that that's important for us to mention? I mean,

Unknown: 33:56

well, I think that we need to talk about the green value, we all understand the bottom line. That's something that's universal with every buyer, we know the bottom line of money, but do we always look at the bottom line, the green bottom line, and the human bottom line? Those are two bottom lines that we usually leave off our p&l. I think we really need to start adding those on to our p&l and go what is it that we can do to change the greeting value of our products and the product itself? And how does it help people? So if we add those in as a value, then I think we would see a big difference a lot of things that we do as buyers.

Amy Loewenberg: 34:49

I swear I feel like we're coming full circle because isn't that just talking about what our commitment is and then just basically putting it on our p&l Just saying? Yeah, like my open to buy is this out of my Up in Dubai, I'm doing X percent that

Unknown: 35:04

that is very true. But we have to convince people that these do have value, there is a value to humanity. And there is a value to the green, which is going to be your environmental systems, carbon footprinting all of this stuff. So if we don't pay the price, now, they'll pay the price later, it doesn't matter when it happens, it's going to happen, eventually, you're going to run out of a natural resource, eventually, we will not have enough labor to produce resources or whatnot. So you have to have that sustainability. And to put it into a bottom line of a p&l, that means that you are committing to these things, saying, I am going to choose the world I live in. And the people that live within this world, instead of just a bottom line for dollar amounts. And that's so important, because we really need to start looking that way. For us true sustainability. Because we are running out of things. I mean, it's simple as that. It is, yeah, we're in droughts, we're in Famines throughout the world, we don't know where some of our food supplies are going to come from. There's a lot of issues right now. And if we just keep taking, taking taking from these environmental systems, they're going to fail, they are going to run out forever.

Amy Loewenberg: 36:34

Right. And these are the ways that we can help and, you know, it's not like somebody has to jump in at 100%, just like you said, You've been doing this for how long and and the St. Louis Zoo is still not at 100%. Yet, that is a goal to I feel like you're probably pretty high up there in the percentage but, but for somebody new, you know, just making a very small commitment to themselves, like I'm going to come to market, and I'm going to, I'm going to locate you know, five new brands that are going to be you know, sustainable, eco friendly, they help women and children and famine, you know, pick what your mission is pick what's your causes, and you're gonna find, you're gonna find them, you're gonna find them in here now, but you're gonna find them in general and just make that commitment. It doesn't have to be all at once, it can be a small amount, and then just when you get good at it, amp it up.

Unknown: 37:28

Exactly. And so it's important to look at other things too, such as minority owned businesses, women are all part of the sustainability factor. Because if we support people that are of a minority owned business, or a woman owned business, that's lifting people up in a community. And that is very important. Because everyone needs access, and inclusion. And if we help people get that step up, they're not asking for a hand out. And up, that is what we need to do to get people all together and actually make our economy work, and other economies throughout the world. But everyone has to have a chance. And then all you're doing as a buyer to is you're reaching out to that minority or women don't come and go, You know what, we're gonna give you this chance. That's all it is. It's just that chance that you need that break. So yeah, get that break in life, go for it, you know, but you got to be willing to give other people the break as well. And I think that's very important that we address those issues as buyers to make sure that we're giving everyone an equal opportunity. And a lot of times, we don't ask those questions, either, as you're talking about, are you doing business? Are you a minority on business? Yeah. And sometimes they are, and they don't even have that advertised at their booth.

Amy Loewenberg: 38:56

Lee, if you're made in America, that's an important feature. If you are a smaller brand that isn't important, like there were people that were able to support our retailers with product. But you also have to reach out as well. It does work both ways. I love being able to share that information. But you should also be singing who you are, and what you do, right? And how you can help. And there are going to be people that just like that are going to take it all in and they're going to be like This is wonderful. And I want to share your story.

Tommy Brown: 39:26

Local sustainability,

Amy Loewenberg: 39:28

local sustainability, right? Because

Unknown: 39:30

if you're helping your community, you're lifting everyone up. Because you're part of the community like the St. Louis Zoo, we are part of this community. We want to help our community. That's why we hire people within our community to work in our gift shop locations. We try to get some products that are locally owned, and so we really want to be part of the St. Louis community. We're an institution that's been here for a very long time, and a lot of people look to as their form of entertainment form of education, and hopefully they choose us as shopping as well. Last year, they really chose shopping.

Amy Loewenberg: 40:10

So I was playing on your website, you've got a lot of great fun things on there. Absolutely.

Unknown: 40:16

But you got to come visit apps. I mean, when you come to the St. Louis Zoo, just to see what we have here is amazing. And it's free, which is even more amazing. So we definitely would love to have you out sometimes,

Amy Loewenberg: 40:28

well, deal I will get out there at some point soon. I family there, so it'd be a perfect opportunity. So I will take advantage. I'll do a little zoo visit, do a little Instagram, post your post and, and have some fun. Looking at all the animals.

Unknown: 40:46

Green animals, I'm telling you some of the best habitats I've seen actually in the industry, we have a wonderful polar bear exhibit, we have a great penguin exhibit that's actually go into the environmental system of the penguin, we're Oh, wow, you're splashing around having a great time are such little critters are so fun. They really are. And we have primate canopy trails where the primates are running around you, you're climbing up in the trees with them. It's really amazing. So come on out, you'll have so much fun soon as

Amy Loewenberg: 41:18

deal. All right, my friends. So listen, I'm super excited to see you in just a few short weeks, I am truly excited to join you on your sustainable tours. How can our listeners connect and reach you? Because you're just a wealth of information? I'm just gonna, I'm just gonna open that up for everybody.

Unknown: 41:40

That's awesome. Because I help people throughout the whole industry. I'm getting emails all the time, asking questions about sustainability, conservation, anthropological conservation, whatnot. So I'm happy to help in any way I can. So my email is T Brown at STL zoo.org. That is T Brown at STL zoo.org. So feel free to drop me an email anytime. And I'll get back with you as soon as I can. I will not ignore your email, I promise. Sustainability is something that we're all responsible for. So if I can help you in any way, I am here to help you.

Amy Loewenberg: 42:19

Well, thank you so much, this has just been such a pleasure and and hopefully we've just completely took tickled the senses of our listeners, and they're all going to join us on our sustainable tour. And, and if you see Tommy in the aisles, make sure to to, you know, say hi and have a conversation with him because he is so giving with all of his information and experience and knowledge. So thank you. Thank you for spending this time with us. And we will talk again soon, my friend.

Unknown: 42:49

Thank you very much, Amy, I really appreciate you.

Amy Loewenberg: 42:52

Thank you so much for joining us today. I hope you enjoyed our conversation as much as I did. Please do connect with Tommy and follow the St. Louis Zoo. And of course, if you're coming to New York now this August, get a bunch of Tommy live and in person and sign up for one of those sustainable retail tours August 15 and 16th. Starting at 11am Signup will open on July 25. You can also sign up on the New York now website under Programs and then drop down market happenings. And we'll also be sending out an e blast on all of our market happenings. So don't forget to check in with New York now weekly for new and exciting conversations crossing over a myriad of topics and people. And make sure to follow New York now San Francisco now and myself on Instagram. I can be found at AMI dot A T and Y and O W and you can find us all on Facebook and LinkedIn. And don't forget New York now is an online 365 sourcing and connection and lead generation platform. Make sure to sign up and sign in and definitely connect with me when you do. Thank you so much and I will talk with you soon.

Dondrill Glover: 43:55

Thank you for listening to the New York now podcast. Make sure to tune in weekly for engaging and insightful conversations. Touching on the most relevant topics facing our community today is in New York now.com To learn more about our market and how you can join in on the conversation