Innovation

Hippy Feet is a groundbreaking organization when it comes to innovation. CEO Michael Mader shared their sock making process, a multi step process that uses every little piece of discarded clothing. Hippy Feet takes discarded cotton clothing items and recycles them to be used to manufacture Hippy Feet items. He stated that one single pound of cotton requires 2,400 gallons of water. In 2021, 6000 pounds of cotton were used to make Hippy Feet products that would have gone to landfills. Cutting costs of growing new cotton and preventing water waste allows his company to save money. CEO Michael Mader stated that they donate 50% of profits to charities tackling child homelessness. Hippy Feet applies in its daily manufacturing operations to align with the Sustainable Development Goals. For example, the company's value and mission align with SDG 1, which is no poverty, by donating 50% of profits to homeless youth. It aligns with SDG 11, creating sustainable cities and communities, by hiring people suffering from homelessness to work for Hippy Feet. It also aligns with SDG 12, responsible consumption, by using wasted cotton clothing items and repurposing them to make Hippy Feet products. Lastly, it aligns with SDG 13, climate action, by preventing water waste and recycling products that would go to landfills. 

Inspiration

When talking with Mr. Michael Mader, he stated that his inspiration for Hippy Feet began during his college years, he was seriously injured, resulting in a financial crisis and leaving him unable to work. Fortunately, he was able to get his necessities from friends and family, but he came to a realization that if anyone else were to go through what he went through, they might not have the support system that he had. “I was not able to provide for myself anymore, but because I had people in my life that could provide for me, I avoided homelessness. And then you realize, holy, there are a bunch of people that have been in my same predicament whether it was an accident or a mistake, they lost their job and all of a sudden they weren’t able to provide for themselves,” said Mr Mader. As his company grew, he made sure to donate half of his profits to a meaningful cause, ending homelessness. Hippy Feet knew that they could have just donated their product to homeless shelters, but doing that would barely put a tent in the root problem that causes homelessness, which is why they chose to donate half of their profits directly to ending homelessness. Mr. Mader told us that they have donated about $80,000 to fight homelessness.

Overall impact

Our interview with the CEO of Hippy Feet, Mr. Michael Mader, showed us how a successful company like Hippy Feet can make a true impact on sustainability and innovation in our society. Whether it is donating half of their profits to charity, or ensuring that quality and sustainable material is used in making their socks, they always prioritize sustainability and innovation. Based in Minneapolis, Hippy Feet has partners around the world to assist with its production. Mr. Mader stated that they have partners in Pakistan and other countries, like the Philippines. Hippy Feet makes sure that their workers are paid good wages, no matter what country they live in. Throughout this interview and our own independent research, we have learned that Hippy Feet go far and beyond when it comes to their determination to achieve a high level of sustainability and innovation, and as the company grows, its positive impact on the world will continue to grow alongside it.

Business benefit

Hippy Feet manufactures products in the USA, cutting costs from transportation costs and tariffs. CEO Michael Mader says Hippy Feet focuses on building a lasting product, so they strive to produce high-quality material. Collaborations are a big part of Hippy Feet's mission. They have collaborated with Pixar, Microsoft, local sports teams in Minnesota, the University of Tennessee, and even events like Burning Man. Being from Minnesota, collaborating with local sports teams is an important part of the Hippy Feet community. Hippy Feet targets child homelessness specifically and it is where the majority of donations go. Hippy Feet makes sure the donations are going towards charities that provide housing, healthcare, and education for children. Hippy Feet employs locals to work for them with people suffering homelessness getting jobs to help them and the company.

Social and environmental benefit

Social Impact:

In the interview Mader explained the company's approach to homelessness has evolved to better address long-term needs while aligning with UN Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. From 2016 to 2018, they ‘donated socks for every pair sold,’ offering immediate relief, but recognized this didn't solve the deeper issues. In 2018, the company began employing homeless youth, providing jobs in ‘packaging, embroidery, and screen printing, helping them gain income and skills.' In 2022, the company shifted focus to donate half of profits to organizations that offer a holistic approach to homelessness—focusing on housing, healthcare, education, and income as these are ‘the four pillars of what is needed to get people off the street’. This approach supports Goal 11 by contributing to sustainable, inclusive communities and helping individuals break the cycle of homelessness with essential resources. Therefore, the innovation of Hippy Feet has had an astronomical effect on communities by providing jobs to the homeless and providing services to get these people working stable jobs as well as educate them on how to integrate into the workplace efficiently.

Environmental Impact

The company’s practices also align with UN Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. In the early years, donating socks reduced waste by ensuring items were redistributed to those in need. Hippy Feet ‘has a Patagonian model of sustainability which means to use sustainable products and methods wherever possible,’ aiming to reduce environmental damage as much as they can. From 2018 to 2021, by employing homeless youth, the company promoted ethical labor practices meanwhile, sustainable production through methods such as: using recycled fabrics and biodegradable materials. Additionally, by directing profits to organizations providing sustainable housing and healthcare, the company supports environmental sustainability through projects that reduce the strain on urban resources. These efforts contribute to both responsible consumption and the creation of environmentally resilient communities, making homelessness relief part of a broader commitment to sustainability. The innovation of Hippy Feet has had a beneficial impact on the environment because it has remained dedicated to its goals of sustainability in a number of areas. They pride themselves on using materials that are biodegradable as well as they do their best to reuse and recycle materials, meaning that the process of using harsh chemicals to produce the socks is greatly reduced. Ultimately, this has a lasting impact by preserving resources when collecting these discarded fabric from landfills for reuse.

Interview

Michael Mader, CEO