Meet Brynn Good | US Director – Freeleaf

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brynn Good and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brynn, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Freeleaf is a unique kind of business called a social enterprise.

A social enterprise is defined as a business with specific social objectives that serve as its primary purpose. Social enterprises work toward a double bottom line, where we seek to maximize profits in order to maximize benefits to society and the environment. Basically, we work toward a social mission while leveraging the benefits of our business to help those in need.

Freeleaf combats human trafficking and abuse by employing survivors and those at-risk. Any profits are rolled back into the business to provide holistic care resources for our staff like counseling, vocational training, and educational opportunities.

We believe that empowering women empowers communities, and have seen first hand that when women are provided opportunity, they pass along those benefits to their families, friends and neighbors.

I’ll share a good example: At the height of COVID (summer 2020) our staff of survivors in Asia rallied together to raise funds and collect PPE like masks and gloves to be sent here to the US for our partner organizations, local hospitals, and US survivors and staff at a point when PPE was so hard to come by. It was an incredible testament to the fact that good multiplies good!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
After studying apparel merchandising and design in college, I entered the workforce into a pretty daunting economic recession, and spent the first few years muddling through jobs in retail merchandising and management for department stores and high end boutiques. I learned a lot, but there was always a nagging feeling that my passions and purpose were not being fully utilized.

I eventually ended up in product management for a health and wellness company, where I landed on an all- female team of incredibly bright and professional women. The fact that these strong women were able to thrive in the corporate politics of a male dominated field, while raising children and growing their personal and professional lives was truly inspiring to me. Throughout my 3 years as a cog-in-the-corporate- wheel so to speak, I continued to feel a calling toward a career that would make a greater difference in the world. The Fair Trade industry was always at the top of that list, so when a friend of mine reached out about my current position as US director for a female founded social enterprise, it felt like the stars had aligned, and it was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.

I want other women to know that the journey is long, and there will be moments where your ending seems unclear– but if you keep learning, taking incremental steps along the way, and keep an open heart and open mind, your path will one day converge with you passion.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Austin, TX so I can only speak to local spots here. Some of my favorites are;

Matt’s el rancho– an Austin staple with the best queso I’ve found in the city (and I’ve tried alot)
Radio coffee and beer — especially bluegrass nights on Mondays
I love the hike and bike trail on Ladybird lake for the people-watching, and to get a bit of nature with a beautiful downtown Austin backdrop

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Our founder, Adisyn Pyles deserves so much credit for her work in starting this beautiful organization, and particularly for her incredible servant leadership. Adisyn is so good at empowering others and trusting those around her to execute her vision, which is a rare and beautiful trait.

Website: www.freeleafltd.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freeleafltd/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brynn-good-190b4040/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreeleafLtd/

Image Credits
Jessica Winniford , Staff photographer