389 Identifying and Acting On Problems You Can Solve

389 Identifying and Acting On Problems You Can Solve

We are surrounded by problems everyday of our lives, some manageable and others seeming too monumental to handle alone. Which is why it is so important to build a community of like minded individuals with the same goal of making a true difference. 

In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Tessa Clarke discuss the relationship people have with stuff, food waste, and how Tessa’s company Olio have been making a real difference in the face of the climate crisis.  


Highlights

  • Our relationship with objects, like clothing, that shape our identity. 

  • What do you waste without realizing? How much do you think you throw away in a week? A month? And a year?

  • We all need someone in our corner to help build us up and to help chart a path forward.

  • Building community while also solving problems.

  • Quit wishing things would be better and start making the change yourself.


Quotes

“We always think the grass is greener on the other side but it never is.”

“What’s good for the planet is good for people and vice versa.”

“It is honestly exhausting being a founder, trying to drive the change in a world that’s set up not to change. So you’ve got to find ways to reenergize yourself and to keep going, to keep fighting every single day.”


Dear Listeners it is now your turn,

When you think about those 4 to 5 years that Tessa talked about and that journey of wanting to be entrepreneurial and thinking about it in terms of “what is the problem I can solve?” What is something you could start today, maybe it eventually becomes a side hustle, maybe the side hustle stays a side hustle, or maybe it turns into something more. What is a problem that you’ve experienced, that maybe you’re the person to solve?   

And, as always, thank you for listening. 


About Tessa

Tessa Clarke is the co-founder and CEO of Olio, the world’s only neighbour-to-neighbour food-sharing app, and a trailblazing force in the fight against waste. Since launching in 2015 - and as a remote first business - Olio has grown into a global movement with 8 million users, redistributing over 100 million meals and 14 million household items, proving that small actions can drive massive change. Recognised as Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Woman of the Year in 2023, Tessa is also a Sifted columnist, an Ambassador for the Better Business Act, and a member of the Small Business Growth Forum, advising the UK Government on SME concerns. With a track record of disrupting industry and mobilising communities, Tessa is a passionate speaker who inspires audiences to rethink business, sustainability, and the power of grassroots innovation.

Check out Tessa’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as her website Olio, and her TED Talk!


About Sarah

"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."

In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.

My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.

The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!

Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.

Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!