Every Wednesday on the Hippie Haven podcast, learn how to live harmoniously with yourself, others & the planet. We talk about all things hippie, including eating vegan, reducing your trash, starting an ethical business, eco-activism, gardening, beekeeping, tiny house living, and so much more.Today's episode is a repost of an Instagram live I did it just a couple of days ago with my dear friend Jamie Nicolini, owner of the sustainable supply company, The Collective in Des Moines, Iowa. Jamie and I met in April, 2019 when I spoke about reducing your environmental impact at the Des Moines Vegan Fest, which she helped organize. Then the day after the vegan fest, she took me out to breakfast to pick my brain and we ended up sitting there for like eight or nine hours talking about opening a zero waste store, our struggles with alcohol, our journey to veganism and so much more and we've been friends ever since. Then last summer she opened her own brick and mortar store in Des Moines and of course she stocks my Bestowed Essentials products there. We both get so many questions about what it's like running a zero waste business and how we got started. So that's why we did this Instagram live, which I'm crossposting to my Hippie Haven Podcasts so that it can reach more of you. The Hippie Haven Podcast is hosted by Callee - a zero waste activist & business owner. Formerly a translator for the US Navy, Callee was honorably discharged as a conscientious objector in 2017 following an episode of severe depression & alcoholism fueled by not living in alignment with her core values. That same year, at age 23, she started Bestowed Essentials, a handmade line of eco-friendly beauty & home products that are now stocked in over 100 stores around the US & Canada. Callee began hosting this free podcast in August 2018, as well as speaking at events and teaching educational workshops across the country, as part of her life mission to arm you with the knowledge & tools you need to spark positive change in your community. In December 2019, she opened The Hippie Haven in Rapid City, South Dakota - a zero waste retail store & community space with a little free library - the first of its kind in the state. She’ll be opening a second Hippie Haven in Salem, Oregon in Feb 2021.Follow along on Instagram - @ahippieinavan & @hippiehavenshop & @bestowedessentialsShop zero waste home goods at www.hippiehavenshop.comRead podcast transcripts at www.hippiehavenpodcast.com