We recently connected with Susannah Leonard and have shared our conversation below.
Susannah, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Before we met, Jeremy and I had both done a bit of traveling. Even prior to deciding to start a business together, we’ve never cared much for the conventional lifestyle. We met in Haiti. We are both veterans. And we came to learn that we both find a lot of joy in creating things and helping others. I think finding our purpose was the result of many life choices that brought us together – but also brought us to Cambodia.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Jeremy and I (Susannah) started our business back in 2016. Anyone who’s ever been to Southeast Asia will quickly notice the cement and farming bags that clutter the streets and farms. These ornate bags eventually end up in the landfill. What our business does is collect and clean these bags, and we repurpose them into beautiful backpacks, wallets, duffle bags, etc. We focus much of our efforts on Cambodia, as we now have a team of 13+ men and women that work hand in hand with us to collect, design, and craft our amazing products.
From our website:
Our mission is simple: To break the chain of fast fashion by creating a sustainable, quality product – coupled with the desire to serve our local and international communities. Today’s fashion industry relies heavily on mass production and large corporations selling products at low prices. Unfortunately this overconsumption comes with a hidden price tag – where the environment and workers are the ones who pay. At CEMENT6, we work directly with artisans in Cambodia to create your one of a kind product. We do not believe in speed, mass production or low wages. CEMENT6 also strives to be a company that serves. The GIVE6 concept represents the philanthropic, sustainable and economic impacts we aim to have in our local communities and abroad.
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?
Prior to starting our business, we were both seasoned, international travelers. This was a huge benefit, as it allowed us familiarity with common customs and courtesies while attempting to do business in another country. Jeremy and I make absolute sure that our international teams feel respected, heard, and taken care of. We understand that things don’t always run smoothly. We’ve learned to be flexible and understanding. Most importantly, we’ve embraced the different cultures and we absolutely love our time spent working in Cambodia. This translates into the philanthropic aspect of the business as well. We’ve hit a lot of bumps in the road trying to find the appropriate avenues to serve and donate our time and resources. Learning to listen and spend quality time with the people we work with plays a vital role in how we operate.
On a personal level, we had to let go of what societies definition of “success” meant. We both had amazing examples of hardworking parents/grandparents. However, the tides are turning and our generation is beginning to shift into more creative, purpose driven career fields. We left a very normal, stable environment to start a business repurposing trash. It’s risky and a bit unglamorous. But once we both agreed that success wasn’t measured by the things we owned or the money we made, we were able to boldly take the leap.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
We are each others biggest supporters in this endeavor. We excel in areas that the other may struggle in. Having a team member that can pick up your slack is important. Asking for help is one of the most difficult but necessary traits of a business owner. However, all the credit goes to our team members in Cambodia. They are the heartbeat of this project. We learn through our interactions and travel that translate into how we operate CEMENT6. We’ve learned different sewing and designing techniques, where certain materials are being used, how we can support different communities, and the list goes on. Having an incredible team has been an integral part of the success of our small business.
Contact Info:
- Website: CEMENT6.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/cement6
- Facebook: Facebook.com/cement6
Image Credits
Lindsay Max — Aspiring Something Films Bradley Miles Leonard
