We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cole Gibbs. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cole below.
Hi Cole, so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
Focus on your vision: It’s essential to stay focused on your goals and the reason why you started your business. Remember your passion for your business and the drive that motivated you to pursue your dreams.
Surround yourself with supportive people: It’s important to have a supportive network of family, friends, and mentors who will encourage you and help you navigate the challenges you may encounter.
Believe in yourself: Believe in your abilities, talents, and skills. So you can face any challenge or obstacle that comes your way.
Persevere: Remember that success doesn’t come overnight. Keep working hard and pushing forward, even when the going gets tough.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As the founder and CEO of Dama, I continue to pioneer the development of sustainable bioplastics and biomaterials for a variety of industries. I am deeply concerned about the overwhelming amount of plastic waste clogging our seas and damaging soil, which is what challenged and motivated me to take action. Over the last three years, my team and I have made a massive impact on the world today by preventing over 2 million lbs of toxic petroleum plastic from entering our environment.
Dama is powered 100% by renewable wind energy, and I believe my years of research in the area of sustainable bioplastic packaging, combined with hundreds of relationships in business and industry, will prevent thousands of tons of petroleum plastic from damaging our planet.
As an active outdoor enthusiast, I attended Salt Lake Community College and Weber State University where I studied Automotive Technology with an emphasis on alternative fuels, including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Biodiesel, Hydrogen Fuel, and Hemp Ethanol. I also worked as a high-altitude prototype test driver for Jaguar/Land Rover.
I have spoken at numerous events, expos, and symposiums on sustainability, bioplastics, and waste management, sharing my knowledge and expertise so we can all live a more sustainable life.
Recently, my company Dama BioPlastics launched its first product, Dama Black, which is a carbon-negative 100% plant-based alternative product to traditional carbon black. We plan to remove 1 Gigaton of C02 from our atmosphere over the next 5 years.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I would say the first one is perseverance. Starting a business is never easy, and there were many times when I faced setbacks or challenges. But I never gave up on my dreams and keep pushing forward.
The second one is adaptability. In this industry, things can change quickly, and you have to be able to pivot and adjust your business model as needed.
As Bruce Lee said, “Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
The third one is a deep knowledge of the product or service you’re offering. It’s essential to have a deep understanding of the materials, and products you’re selling. That knowledge allows you to create high-quality solutions that your customers will love. Never stop learning.
What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I would say it’s important to stay focused on your goals and the reasons why you started your business in the first place. Remember that setbacks and challenges are part of the journey, and it’s essential to keep pushing forward. Stay informed about changes in your industry and be willing to experiment and try new things. Don’t be afraid to take risks or pivot your business model if needed. It is also important to continually learn and educate yourself about your product or service. Attend conferences, take classes, and seek out mentorship and advice from experts in your field.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
My experience as an entrepreneur has taught me that it is best to focus on your strengths and invest in them, while also investing in areas where you are not as strong. By having a strong foundation in your areas of expertise, you can then confidently invest your time and energy in improving your weaker areas. This can enable you to increase your effectiveness and become a better leader.
For example, I started my own small business and I found that focusing on my strengths was the most efficient way to make progress. However, I wanted to become better in areas where I was not as confident, so I took the time to invest in improving those areas. This allowed me to better understand the intricacies of the business, develop new skills and become a more well-rounded entrepreneur. This ultimately helped me to be more successful in the long run.
Contact Info:
- Website: damabioplastics.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colegibbs/
Image Credits
Biogenic carbon photo – * https://pbpc.com/carbon-emissions-plant-based-products/
