How He Built a Business That Actually Helps the Planet - Jasper Eales, Sealand
In this episode, I sit down with Jasper Eales — co-founder and creative director of Sealand Gear — to unpack the journey of one of South Africa’s most iconic sustainable brands.
Sealand Gear is a proudly local business based in Cape Town, known for its world-class upcycled bags, apparel, and accessories. But behind the brand is a powerful story of resilience, purpose, and a deep commitment to sustainability.
We dive into:
- What it really means to build a sustainable business
- How Sealand secured global certifications (after a 6-year process!)
- The tough realities of scaling production while staying true to your values
- The operational challenges of upcycling — and how they manage supply consistency
- What it means to be a “Sealander” and build a values-driven company culture
- And finally, what inspires Jasper to keep pushing this mission forward
This one is for the builders who care about purpose and performance — and anyone curious about what it takes to scale a brand with integrity.
Too Long; Didn't Listen? Here's what to look for:
00:00 Introduction
04:11 What Is Sealand?
06:30 The Founding Story of Sealand
22:03 How to Hire A-Players
29:34 Educating the Market Before We Could Sell
41:03 Transparency and Sustainability Reporting at Scale
51:15 Moving Away From D2C — and Then Returning
59:32 Selling Face Masks During COVID and the Impact It Had
01:04:47 Comparing Sealand’s Scale in 2021 vs. Today
01:12:32 The Biggest Challenges Sealand Has Overcome
01:28:30 The Main Challenges Sealand Is Currently Facing
01:33:46 The Future of Sealand and What Lies Ahead for Jasper
01:36:18 What Inspires Jasper
01:39:02 Reflection
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