{"id":17475,"title":"Inspirational quotes for your sustainable business","description":"With the internet, we are connected to 60% of the world\u2019s population - and an entire network of business owners. This is game-changing. It means it\u2019s never been easier to start and scale your brand, supported by the experiences of other founders who have been there and done it.\n\nBehind inspirational stories are successful entrepreneurs, and thanks to the world of online content, they can share in minutes what has taken them decades to learn. Read on to find out how Mart and Rob took Teemill from an idea in their garden shed into reality. Absorb some of these most insightful nuggets of entrepreneurial wisdom from them so you can replicate the same results.","content":"

It\u2019s never been easier to start a business. With the internet, we are connected to 60% of the world\u2019s population - and an entire network of business owners. This is game-changing. Behind inspirational stories are successful entrepreneurs, sharing what has taken them decades to learn in a matter of minutes. If you\u2019re ready to start your sustainable business, get started<\/a><\/u> with Teemill. Or read on for business advice from real people who have done remarkable things - things that you can do, too, with an example of sustainability<\/a> in business in front of you.<\/p>

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Teemill began, as many startups do, in a shed at the bottom of a garden. Brothers Mart and Rob took an idea and grew it into reality, building free products to help people start sustainable companies in the UK. Here are some of their most insightful nuggets of entrepreneurial wisdom:<\/p>

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How to start a sustainable business<\/strong><\/h3>

The hardest step in starting your business is the first one: getting started. In Mart\u2019s view, the best way to start your business is to find a problem to solve. Find something you wish existed, and make it a reality.<\/p>

\u201cWe just decided that we\u2019d have a go. The most important thing was we couldn\u2019t buy the products we wanted to see in the world, so we just thought well why don\u2019t we just make some.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

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Successful businesses solve a problem<\/strong><\/h3>

It helps to know why <\/em>you\u2019re doing it - you want to make money, sure, but that\u2019s not the whole reason. Successful businesses make it big because they have a goal, other than profit. That goal will guide you through every decision you make, and it will keep you motivated and focused. Businesses exist to help people, to provide them with something they need. So your goal is that help, not the money. The money is just the way for you to continue helping. And helping is what brings you money.<\/p>

\u201cBusinesses should solve a problem for society, and profit is society\u2019s way of rewarding you for contributing. Why are you making the product? A business profits because of the good that it does. The customer is better off first, and then they pay you.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

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\u2013 For Mart and Rob, the issue was waste. Now, Teemill helps people start brands and end waste, by applying circular economy<\/a><\/u> principles to the clothing supply chain.<\/em><\/p>

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You can start a business with no money<\/strong><\/h3>

Mart and Rob started with \u00a3200. They immediately spent \u00a3100 of it on a stack of business cards - big mistake. What they learned is that not having money isn\u2019t a barrier to getting started. It\u2019s an opportunity to start better, more conscientiously, and more creatively.<\/p>

\u201cI\u2019m a big fan of the \u2018zero pound startup\u2019. It makes you be really resourceful and innovative in making more of what you\u2019ve got which is one of the most important things for the business of tomorrow. It forces you to get hands-on, understand how businesses work and where stuff comes from, how they're made.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

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\u2013 When Mart and Rob first started out they were using an office printer with t-shirt ink. Now, we print on demand<\/a> using high-tech laser printers, so designs can go from concept to t-shirt in seconds.<\/em><\/p>

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Do things differently<\/strong><\/h3>

When starting a business, it can be easy to get caught up on what everyone else is doing, or has done. And while that can be useful - we are writing this blog to help you, after all - sometimes you have to think outside the box. This is especially true when it comes to sustainability. We\u2019ve been doing business unsustainably for so long, that we need to come up with new ways to make things, new business models, if we\u2019re going to solve the sustainability issue. Do some research, then be brave in rethinking things and taking a new approach.<\/p>

\u201cOne of the first things we learned was that everybody doing it a certain way is the reason we have such a big sustainability problem. You want to find out how businesses work to change it and make a better one.\u201d<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>

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Shorten your supply chain<\/strong><\/h3>

One of the best ways to ensure your business is sustainable is to work closely with your suppliers. In traditional business, suppliers are a far-away entity, removed from the selling process. In sustainable business, the entire supply chain is inter-connected, so that each part communicates with the rest and helps the entire system be as efficient and eco-friendly as possible. The way to ensure sustainability in your supply chain is to get involved - speak to your suppliers, learn what you can, allow them to guide you as experts.<\/p>

\"What most people do is they buy from a supplier, who buys from an intermediary, who buys from a distributor, who buys from a wholesaler, who buys from someone on the ground. Whereas if you go to the field and buy it from them, you could afford to pay them more and get your raw material for less, plus you can have conversations with them.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

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<\/p>

Innovation is key to sustainability<\/strong><\/h3>

Innovation is key - and it\u2019s made up of a series of small changes. You don\u2019t need to reinvent the wheel before you even set up your website. Just get started the best way you know how, and improve from there.<\/p>

\u201cInnovation is made up of a lot of little steps. <\/em><\/strong>I don\u2019t think enough people are encouraged to have a go at taking the one that matters - the first one.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

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\u2013 Our t-shirt printing factories in the UK achieve sustainability using our own technology<\/a><\/u>, with robots controlling essential facilities to help the team.<\/em><\/p>


Expect to make mistakes<\/strong><\/h3>

Mistakes are an integral part of growth. Especially when you\u2019re innovating and challenging the status quo. Get comfortable with the idea of failing, then failing again, failing better. Failure is the only way to learn and eventually reach success.<\/p>

\u201cThe whole thing has been a complete disaster from start to finish, but that\u2019s growth. That\u2019s what no one tells you. You\u2019re going to be wrong most of the time. The trick is confidence, which comes from ability, which comes from the things you\u2019ve learned, which comes from the mistakes you\u2019ve made.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

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<\/h3>

You can learn to manage the highs and lows of the business<\/h3>

Teemill was just getting started, when our factory caught on fire. It wasn't our fault - the fire originated from a neighbouring building, but the result was devastating: team safe, but stock and machinery, and everything physical that makes up a business\u2026 gone.<\/p>

Mart describes realising they had to make lemons out of lemonade. In business, there will always be setbacks, sometimes of your own doing, sometimes out of your control. What makes a successful entrepreneur is how they respond to those setbacks.<\/p>

\u201cQuestions like how do we rebuild from this? That\u2019s the job every day because things will go wrong. You\u2019ve got to be the person that figures out how to get over an ongoing series of obstacles.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

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Keep going<\/strong><\/h3>

If your business is designed to solve a problem, and that problem still exists, then you still have a business. With an issue as large as sustainability, there will always be more to do. Keeping up an entrepreneurial mindset is key to continuing success.<\/p>

\u201cThere\u2019s a philosophy we use, which is called iterative development. It\u2019s a constant improvement process. If you just take it one step at a time and keep trying to improve, all sorts of weird things happen. It\u2019s incredible seeing how people are using tech to do good things.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>


<\/p>

Do less, but better<\/strong><\/h3>

'Less but better' is one of Teemill\u2019s core tenets. When it comes to business, this means efficiency. Get rid of anything you don\u2019t need, and focus your time on what\u2019s important.<\/p>

\u201cIf you can design stuff out, that\u2019s the best thing you can do. Taking away is one of the best things you can do, and it\u2019s cost-effective not to spend money. You can design stuff out of your business, removing waste to save money. Those efficiencies have driven the growth of the business.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>


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\u2013 Everything we make is designed from the start to be sent back and remade into new products when it\u2019s worn out, so we have a truly circular supply chain<\/a><\/u>.<\/em><\/p>


Waste is the solution to the problem<\/strong><\/h3>

One of the largest issues in sustainability is waste. The fashion industry creates so much waste that every second a garbage truck full of clothing is burned or buried in landfill. Yet, in a circular economy like Teemill\u2019s, waste is the solution.<\/p>

\u201cReusing what you\u2019ve got removes waste, solves the sustainability problem, and saves you money, so your business can grow.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

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<\/p>

How to make your sustainable business successful<\/strong><\/h3>

Mart points out that with any problem comes opportunity, and waste is no exception. For the aspiring business owner, now is the time to address the waste issue and turn it into a solution for your business.<\/p>

\u201cWe\u2019re looking around at these mountains of waste, and we never realised the whole time they\u2019re mountains of gold. Sustainability is a gold rush because there\u2019s so much waste everywhere in every industry. All you\u2019ve got to do is design it out, and your business is more efficient, more competitive, potentially more profitable, and will grow.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>


<\/p>

You can listen to the whole Teemill story on this podcast<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>

Our goal is to share our knowledge, experience and tech to continue inspiring entrepreneurs to tackle sustainability and create successful sustainable businesses. Through our online platform, Teemill, anyone can start and build a sustainable brand<\/a>, for free<\/strong>. So whether you\u2019re a seasoned entrepreneur, or new to the business game, Teemill can help you make your business sustainable<\/strong> and successful.<\/p>","urlTitle":"inspirational-quotes-for-sustainable-business","url":"\/blog\/inspirational-quotes-for-sustainable-business\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/inspirational-quotes-for-sustainable-business\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/teemill.com\/blog\/inspirational-quotes-for-sustainable-business\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":{"id":1,"name":"Everywhere","code":"everywhere","created_at":null,"updated_at":null},"createdAt":1649940438,"updatedAt":1689141644,"publishedAt":1689075370,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":12,"name":"Teemill"},"tags":[{"id":40,"code":"inspiration","name":"inspiration","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/inspiration\/"}],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/xwuwjqgo4ytachnvza9crtylfutiluvilfdwm8qhzinbkbkt.png","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/xwuwjqgo4ytachnvza9crtylfutiluvilfdwm8qhzinbkbkt.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/xwuwjqgo4ytachnvza9crtylfutiluvilfdwm8qhzinbkbkt.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"Inspirational quotes for your sustainable business","metaDescription":"Entrepreneur quotes, inspirational stories and business advice from people who have built sustainable companies. Start your sustainable business right.","keyPhraseCampaignId":27,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":35,"title":"The 12 Best Movies For Business Startups 2025 - Netflix, Disney, Prime","url":"\/blog\/netflix-startups-business\/","urlTitle":"netflix-startups-business","division":12,"description":"Instead of scrolling through an Instagram feed or studying your mate's dinner on Facebook, we like the idea that as a store owner you can flip the relationship and use tech to make time on the sofa productive and profitable for you.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/5c9dcaa0289175.83327431.jpg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/5c9dcaa0289175.83327431.jpg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":43,"title":"The 7 best business books everyone should read","url":"\/blog\/best-business-books\/","urlTitle":"best-business-books","division":12,"description":"In The Matrix, Neo just sits in a chair, and Morpheus uploads Kung Fu, how to fly helicopters and loads of other languages into his brain. Neo can do anything. That's basically what books are, although they do take a little longer. So we've pre-sorted some of the best business books that we've read and found useful for people building a brand online. Learn from successful entrepreneurs, read their journey to success and build an entrepreneurial mindset so you can make your brand a success.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/5c8e29ea58d3b2.79971756.jpg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/5c8e29ea58d3b2.79971756.jpg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":105,"title":"The best feminist t-shirt brands around","url":"\/blog\/feminist-t-shirt-design-ideas\/","urlTitle":"feminist-t-shirt-design-ideas","division":12,"description":"Feminism means business. Thanks to the likes of Emma, Michelle and of course Queen B, the new wave of feminism is a topic that's ingrained into our culture. We're dedicating this blog to just a few of the Teemillers who are getting behind B's vibe.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/5c9f16b1682865.10624479.jpg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/5c9f16b1682865.10624479.jpg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}