What do you do when an entire industry is drowning in waste — and nobody's talking about it?

In this episode, I sit down with Irina McKenzie, founder of FABCYCLE and Sewjo, to unpack how she built a purpose-driven business around one of fashion's most ignored problems: textile waste. From community repair events to a thriving fabric rescue shop, to building two tech products from scratch — Irina's story is one of the most compelling entrepreneurship journeys I've had on the show.

What we cover:

✅ How a pop-up shop with people lining up outside validated the FABCYCLE concept before launch
✅ Building Sewjo — a free sewing app that helps makers use what they already have instead of buying more
✅ Why community events became FABCYCLE's most powerful growth and retention tool
✅ The real challenges of building a tech product as a non-tech creative founder
✅ How FABCYCLE manages 50–300 new product listings per week with constantly changing stock
✅ What circular fashion actually means for small brands and independent makers
✅ Why exploring your values first is the real foundation of building a business that lasts

Connect with Irina & FABCYCLE:

• 🌐 fabcycle.shop
• 📸 Instagram: @fabcyclevan
• 🎵 TikTok: @fabcyclevan

Download Sewjo for free:

• 🤖 Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sewjoappmobile
• 🍎 iOS: apps.apple.com/ca/app/sewjo/id6737978613
• 🌐 sewjo.app

Learn more about starting and scaling a for-purpose business at www.talkingpurpose.ca

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