Building a People Company that Happens to Make Shoes EP 65
\u201cWe walk through life together with people who\u2019ve been dealt a difficult hand,\u201d explained Dan Fowler. It was such a simple thing, so humbly stated, it stopped podcast host, Laura, in her tracks! This simple sentence personifies who Dan Fowler is, how he thinks about and cares for people, and how and why he\u2019s building his business, Reunion Shoes, in New Orleans.
Reunion Shoes happens to make and decorate (for lack of a better description of the artwork his team sends into the world) simple canvas sneakers. That\u2019s the outer expression of what\u2019s going on. Inside, however, lives are changing.
Dan is working under the umbrella of the Restoration Initiative, a non-profit incubator, providing space and support for small businesses committed to creating social good before other, more common business goals. Specifically, he\u2019s working to support people who don\u2019t live in traditional housing, who need access to certain kinds of support services (drug and alcohol rehab, counseling, medical care, and faith support, just to name a few).
The idea is to meet the needs of people \u2013 as they define them, rather than having services pushed upon them \u2013 and support them as they create the life they desire, learning to become self-sufficient, building dignity and respect along the way, and contributing to their communities in new ways.
It\u2019s a deep and heartfelt conversation that touches on the ideas of asking, \u201cHow can I help?\u201d as opposed to assuming we already know what\u2019s best for someone else. It\u2019s about taking baby steps that grow into considerable waves of change in a neighborhood or community. And it\u2019s the personification of creating something with a great deal of consideration and intention.
If you thought your ideas were too insignificant to make a difference, I dare you to eavesdrop on this episode and walk away with that thought unchanged!
Dan\u2019s Bio
Dan Fowler is the founder and director of Reunion Shoe Company, a social enterprise focused on hiring and supporting folks coming out of homelessness.\xa0He has worked in the homeless community in a variety of capacities, including advocacy, one-on-one ministry, and working alongside various systems of care. Dan\xa0graduated with a bachelor\u2019s degree from Loyola University New Orleans. Dan grew up in Florida and has lived in New Orleans for the past 6 years. He loves tacos, old cars, and his wife, Audrey.
Connect with Dan:
Reunion Shoes on Facebook
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