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Founder
Companiesandme
We curate stories from great companies in hopes that you might stumble upon one that you'll love too.
East Bay, CA
Who is Participating
Recent Coversations
Unspoken Advice for the Throwaway Generation (That's Us)
I've recently been in search of a used desk and office chair for our office in Emeryville. What I found was a far more valuable--a timely and even critical lesson for the mounting debt and tough job market that we face today. I grew frustrated after spending hours searching Craigslist, both of searching for used office furniture, and hearing that I should just go to Ikea, which is walking distance away. But I didn't want...
Local is Not What You Think
Local is not about buying the same stuff at higher prices from a local vendor. Local is about happiness. I believe that the concept of Local is not well communicated. When people suggest that we "buy local," it comes off as preachy and turns many of us off. How many times have you gone into a corner store and left feeling like you'd been ripped off? The $2 Coke or $1.50 orange may as well be...
Finding Balance and Inspiration from Family
Today I heard a story worth sharing about a Bay Area woman whose life's work changed upon having her first child in a way that many of us could learn from. It wasn't long ago that Sandy Eng was working as a network engineer for a large Bay Area tech company, where she applied her background in math and computers. Back then, she might have spoken with some affection for the challenge of her work...
Nominate Bay Area Companies You Love
It's hard for me to believe that the vision of Companiesandme is finally being unveiled today. That vision is to curate the rich stories of companies around us, and to bring us closer to the people behind them. As we unveil the site, I find myself completely inspired by the type of people who have taken the time to share their stories and engage in a real conversation with you. There aren't many places where...
Ryan Mickle
East Bay, CA
about 1 year ago
3 people like this
Thanks for the great nominations! Matt, thanks to your nomination, we've added Happy Girl Kitchen to the site. Jordan, Todd, and Todd are fantastic, inspiring people. Thanks again.
Ryan Mickle
East Bay, CA
about 1 year ago
One person likes this
Thanks for the great recent suggestions! Olivia, out of coincidence, I spoke with ChicoBag earlier today! They are fantastic!
Ryan Mickle
East Bay, CA
about 1 year ago
2 people like this
Thanks for all the great nominations! I've spoken to a handful of those you've suggested and we hope to have a new group of companies joining shortly. If you can, ask around for nominations as I feel like every time I meet someone new they turn me on to a new company with fantastic stories.
Ryan Mickle
East Bay, CA
over 2 years ago
One person likes this
I think I'm going to need some samples of Mateveza to give it proper consideration. :)
Ryan Mickle
East Bay, CA
over 2 years ago
3 people like this
These are great suggestions, thanks Matt, Jamie, Felix and Victoria. I hadn't heard of Hess Surfboards, Heath Pottery, or Amazing Grass before. Will reach out to them shortly and see if they'd like to share some of their stories with you and help us support relief efforts in Haiti. Keep the great ideas coming!
Matt, did you see TCHO on the site? We might just have been one step ahead of you. :)
http://companiesandme.com/tcho
Ryan Mickle
East Bay, CA
over 2 years ago
2 people like this
I have a lot of appreciation for this approach. I recently had a friend join the leadership team of a large fashion company, after years of working in the beverages industry, and learned how it is common practice to destroy an incredible amount of high end fabrics, just to ensure that they don't end up getting used in a way that would compromise the brand.
It's a problem that seems to exist in all if not most of the large fashion brands out there. It's great to know how much the industry could learn from a small bag manufacturer in the Dogpatch District, and that the approach might not only have the potential to make their businesses more profitable, but also more fun.