In the very first episode of Beaver Tales, I sit down with Howard Napper, someone I admire for many reasons, to explore what it actually takes to build a business with purpose. From a moment of curiosity in a yoga class to founding a company that’s spent 25 years pushing for more sustainable products, this is a conversation about doing things differently, even when it’s harder, slower, and less profitable.

What You’ll Discover

- The Idea That Started It All: A simple question in a yoga class sparked a mission to rethink how everyday products are made.

- Why Sustainability Isn’t Straightforward: The real trade-offs between cost, durability, and environmental impact are more complex than they seem.

- Small Business Superpowers: Innovation, agility, and strong partnerships can compete with even the biggest global brands.

What really stayed with me in this conversation is the tension between values and reality. It’s easy to say you want to build something sustainable, but when margins are tighter, competition is cheaper, and customers don’t always see the difference, that’s when it really gets tested. Howard’s story shows what it looks like to stick with that vision anyway.

There’s also something deeply human in this episode. From chance meetings in the desert to navigating life-changing health challenges, it’s a reminder that business isn’t just strategy and scale. It’s shaped by moments, relationships, and how you respond when things don’t go to plan.

If you’re building something, questioning your approach, or just curious about what sits behind the products we use every day, this episode will give you a lot to think about.

You can learn more and submit your own inspiring tale at beavertails.co.

Beaver Tales is produced by Urban Podcasts.

There was a moment and I suspect you know the one - when you looked around at how business was being done and felt something quietly shut down inside you.

In this introductory episode of Beaver Tales, I explore why so many of us feel a profound sense of loss in the world of work and what it looks like when people choose to build differently. I introduce the idea of the keystone builder: those who, like beavers, don’t dominate the ecosystem instead create the conditions for everything around them to thrive.

Beaver Tales exists to find them, celebrate them, and channel attention, capital and community behind the builders who deserve it. This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s a mission to bring the keystone spirit back - one deliberate act at a time.