Have you ever wondered that for an individual what does it takes to bring a social change?

At first it may look like a tough task but trust me once you get into it, the joy of being a change-maker makes the ride all the more smooth. And for a social entrepreneur, designer and gandhiwarmer, Tippy Tippens who is passionate about helping others grow sustainably and making objects that instead of working against us, work for us - she enjoys what she's doing.

As noble her thoughts so is she herself. Tippy Tippens is the Founder and Director of Matter and the BirdProject. Remember we featured Tippy's creative studio earlier this year on our blog, when she was included in the GOOD 100 list for this year - 'one of 100 people pushing the world forward.'

Yes, how can we forget her and the amazing work that she is doing! Anyways, talking about Tippy's creative studio where creativity, eco-intelligence and innovative philanthropy combines - Matter, it is an industrial design and consulting studio which is based in New Orleans and focuses on creating awareness and funding initiatives that lead to social change. A part of the proceeds go directly to causes that impact the health, happiness, and sustainability of our communities both locally and for our neighbors around the world.

Matter is also one of the first six Benefit Corporations in the state of Louisiana, which now exists in total 12 states. The B Corps use the power of business to solve both social and environmental problems.

As for Tippy, she initially started as a designer, designing faucets for Kohler, freelancing for lighting, furniture, graphic and architectural firms and much more. She did her Bachelors in Fine Arts from the Virginia Commonwealth University and has a Masters Degree in Industrial Design from the Pratt Institute. She is an alumni of the 2011 Propeller Fellowship in the New Ventures Accelerator program.

To know more about Tippy, her creative studio and the amazing products that are made there, read on our exclusive interview with her.

Happy reading!

1. Hi Tippy, please introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello and pleasure to meet you! I'm Tippy Tippens, Chief Eternal Optimist and Founder of Matter, Design for Social Change, based in the magic city of New Orleans. I'm an industrial designer and social entrepreneur. My background has included designing furniture, faucets, lighting, graphics and have also done some public art projects including gandhiwarmer. [Link]


Matter is named for both definitions of the word: the verb, focusing on things of importance for our lives and also as a noun, a physical substance.

3. From being a designer, what inspired you to make the transition to social entrepreneurship?

I think it initially started form my gandhiwarming project. One of the lovliest learnings from that project was the incredible gratification that we (Team Gandhiwarmer and myself) received from giving gifts of handmade scarves and hats to cold passersby. It was a surprise for them and something that really needed. This was the first step and then BirdProject Soap was the second step. In developing this product I saw the route to do good while designing sustainable products.

4. Tell us something about your products, especially the BirdProject?

The BirdProject began, as I watched the BP disaster unfurl on the news from Brooklyn without end in sight. It made me more and more determined to do something to help. This process began with drawings and then to a form, then to the right material. A visit to New Orleans spelled out all of the rest and I launched on Kickstarter to raise the money for the first batch.

Now, the Birdies are sold locally, nationally, and internationally including Hong Kong, Australia, London, and Milan. We are proud to have donated $18,000 to date (and counting) to International Bird Rescue and Gulf Restoration Network. I call them the Birdies that can (like the train from the children's book, Thomas? I think I can, I think I can)

The soaps are regionally sourced of the best ingredients and handmade in New Orleans by Emily Manger Davis, a third generation soapmaker; ceramics by Brooke Cassady; and boxes printed by Art-vertising with eco inks. The tissue paper is 100% recycled and the USPS boxes are cradle to cradle certified. Every detail is considered for the environments sake.



Matter products are sustainably made, we only use materials that are good for the environment. This goes through all aspects of the business: business cards, paper used, slip recycled in ceramic production, etc. Each product also has many layers of details to uncover and often includes an element of transformation with use. Additionally, each product tells the story and raises funding for partner groups that are working in social and environmental areas of importance.

6. What is your take on an individual's contribution to the society and the environment? What has been the biggest compliment that you have received for your work?

I think the power is within individuals. Each one of us has something amazing to contribute and the way that we live our lives also makes a statement about what we believe is good. I believe that it's important to not live too fast, to take time to appreciate our loved ones and the beauty around us while on a walk is what makes each day a good day. Things often don't happen very quickly, they are built step by step, each one of us contributes with each step. One of my favorite things to say to myself is 'There's always today' It reminds me to live a good day and do the things that I find important, to savor the day.

The biggest compliment I think that I've received is being part of the GOOD 100, named as 'one of 100 people pushing the world forward.' I've been a fan of GOOD& and the GOOD community for sometime, it's such an honor! [Link]

7. How do you see the advent of eCommerce and now mCommerce? Share with us your experience as an etailer.

e and mCommerce really are an amazing add for businesses. It's incredible to be able to reach people around the world from my studio in New Orleans! I think it's wonderful for smaller businesses to be able to have both a local business as well as national and international reach.

8. What avenues do you use to promote your work? What is your take on word-of-mouth promotion?

I have only used social media to connect with people about my work, word-of-mouth both online and in person is how Matter has become a business. A friend told me a story, her friend was in New York out to lunch and heard two people that had just visited New Orleans talking about BirdProject and pulled out a soap. I was so honored and delighted when she told me! She started talking with the two women and was like Hey! That's my friend Tippy! Amazing.

9. Personally, what activities do you enjoy in your free time? Are you more of an indoor or outdoor person?

I love to cook, making up new combinations of flavors and I also love making ice cream. I love taking landscape photographs and seeing new places. Also, riding my bike, hanging with my dear pug Tonto, reading, I love indoors and outdoors! I cherish being outdoors, it's so rejuvenating and also humbling. It's good to remember the part we play in the universe.

10. What other designers do you look up to? If you could peek inside the studio/toolbox of any one other designer, whose would it be and why?

Some of my fave designers of all time are Charles and Ray Eames, their invention and playfulness, as well as trying so many mediums so beautifully is really inspiring! I also love Bruno Munari for the same reason, I would love to visit his studio, or take a walk with, he seems so curious and fun!

11. What are your future plans in respect to Matter? Are you working on any new product/project?

Yes, I have three new Matter products on Indiegogo right now. This group of meaningful, sustainably made products are inspired by three different needs but all share one common trait: folding to transform. They are letterpress notebooks, linens, and a blanket which raise funding for education and rebuilding needed post Hurricane Sandy. I also aim to introduce two more this fall. It's my intent to introduce at least two new Matter products each year. [Link]


Don't wait. Start and learn the things that you need to in order to get to where you want to go.

I think the hardest part is starting, but also important to remember that sometimes starting is as simple as writing an idea down or asking someone a question. It all builds from there! When I came to New Orleans to pursue the idea of BirdProject, all I had was an idea that I created a one-pager for so that I had something to share with people that I was asking help from. So much has happened from that one little piece of paper.

Don't worry about someone taking your idea and protecting it in a hidden box. One teacher at Pratt said something jokingly but with serious intent like, 'Protect your ideas vigorously, then you will always have them. But that may be all you have.' It's impossible to know everything so you are going to have to take some chances and be open with your idea in order to make it a reality.

Also, I really like a quote from Picasso - something along the lines of, only put off til' tomorrow what you don't want to accomplish. I think I've reinterpreted that to a less stressful mantra, 'There is always today' which a cab driver from India said to me once during a cab ride in San Francisco.

Thanks Tippy for taking out the time and doing this interview with us. We'd like to wish you and your team the very best for the future.

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