the Founder Files

How He Built a Business That Actually Helps the Planet - Jasper Eales, Sealand

Season 5 Episode 15

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

How inspiring was this episode?

For more content like this, please

Support The Founder Files:

Follow us on Linkedin, Instagram & TikTok

Leave a comment and a review on YouTube and Spotify

And spread the word with the entrepreneurs in your network!


Connect with us directly:

- Cameron on LinkedIn and on TikTok

- Jasper on LinkedIn

Take the first step towards your ideal state of business leadership and personal freedom.

Next guest

Be the next guest on our podcast

Fill out the form below to apply as a guest.

Thank you! Your application has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again.
By clicking “Accept”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.