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MEET THE LEADERS: AINA KARI
From:
Positive Luxury -- Sustainability and ESG Experts Positive Luxury -- Sustainability and ESG Experts
For Immediate Release:
Dateline: New York, NY
Tuesday, February 28, 2023

 

Aina Kari was established in 2020 and has been Butterfly Mark and has been certified since September 2021. The Italian homeware brand creates one-of-a-kind home décor, from a mixture of precious and unique Murano glass and Palissandro Marble. It celebrates both tradition and contemporaneity in art, design and craftsmanship, while making zero compromises on the sustainability of its ingredients and its production processes. We recently caught up with the founder and creative director, Marina Cighir, to find out about what they think makes a successful leader, hardest lessons learned and what the future looks like for Aina Kari. 

What three things do you think make a great leader?

Energy – at the beginning, you are the CEO and also the warehouse manager, so you need a lot of energy to cover all these positions and never feel tired. 

Passion – you need to transfer the passion and love you have inside, otherwise nobody will fall in love with your project. People buy stories, feelings, memories, not objects.  

Reliable – Business is business. All the energy and passion are not enough if not supported by reliable behaviour towards customers and suppliers.  

What three things would the people around you say make you a great leader?

Never be afraid to be a demanding and exigent person. That I am extremely passionate about my work and creativity. Also being bilingual in both English and Italian means I can communicate with a top buyer and also with small artisans with humility and charisma.  

What is the toughest lesson you learned? 

There are so many and still I am learning. Some include, confirming orders only after a quality check, to have an even longer lead time when working with artisans and to be ready and prepared to change and adapt your business.

And the most rewarding?

That moment when people discover our products (especially in store or during trade fairs) and have such a spontaneous and amazing reaction when touch and smell our products. That “WOW” pays back for all the effort.  

What is the one piece of advice you wish you had been given early on in your career? 

That success is a blend between experience, courage and preparation.  

What is your immediate focus for creating positive change as a leader for Aina Kari? 

Working exclusively with small suppliers, only locally made north of Italy, limited quantity and creating beautiful things. The most sustainable product is one that is beautiful and you will keep it forever, we should all start from here. 

And your long-term goal?

Big enough to spread influence, small enough to remain a gem.  

LEARN MORE ABOUT AINA KARI’S BUTTERFLY MARK CERTIFICATION

About Positive Luxury

 Since 2011 Positive Luxury has been accelerating organizations' adaptation to the new climate economy, keeping clients ahead of cultural and economic shifts. The company's unique four-part methodology is the only ESG assessment and certification program designed specifically for the luxury industry and incorporates a particular focus on innovation. Visit: www.positiveluxury.com and follow @Positiveluxury  

 Rejecting the traditional model rating past performance, Positive Luxury provides clients with precise gap analysis and the ability to identify and address current and future sustainability risks and diagnostics. In addition, the Connected Butterfly Mark communication tool also helps them leverage areas of strength and opportunities for competitive advantage.

 Companies that meet Positive Luxury's exacting standards for certification are approved for the Butterfly Mark, a globally respected trust mark, independently verified, signaling that companies meet the highest standard of sustainability best practice across ESG+: environmental, social, governance and innovation. With a growing community of nearly 200 luxury companies, Positive Luxury has created a community of brands, retailers, and suppliers taking tangible action – measuring, managing, and reporting their ESG impact.

 

Diana Verde Nieto, Co-founder, and Co-CEO of Positive Luxury 

Diana Verde Nieto is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Positive Luxury, a pioneer in ESG, and a globally recognized figure in sustainability. Diana holds a degree in Global Leadership & Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School, was trained by Former USA Vice President Al Gore at the Alliance of Climate Protection and was subsequently honored by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader. In addition, Diana sits on various boards, including BA&SH and Grass Roots Soccer, an adolescent health organization that leverages the power of soccer to educate, inspire, and mobilize youth in developing countries.

"Consumers, employees, and the investment community demand transparency and accountability from brands, and our new Connected Butterfly Mark answer to that. From a single source of truth, people can easily access an unparalleled depth of verified ESG+ verified performance data, including a brand's sustainability journey, clearly stating their actions and ambition. This level of disclosure raises the bar for Luxury and beyond." Diana Verde Nieto, Co-Founder, and Co-CEO of Positive Luxury

 

Amy Nelson-Bennett, Co-CEO

Amy Nelson-Bennett brings 25 years of global experience across business transformation, brand and commercial strategy, and digital commerce and communications gained across media, retail, and luxury goods. Most recently, she led the successful turnaround of Molton Brown as CEO & President and joined the PE-backed Clive Christian Group to modernize the brand and operations and deliver rapid growth. Amy is responsible for the strategic direction of Positive Luxury, brand and commercial strategy, and day-to-day business operations. By championing a new definition of Luxury that aligns with the core principle of Luxury and sustainability, she aims to accelerate the actions of the Luxury industry and the collective positive impact it can make on nature and society. 

"Our unique four-part methodology – assessment, certification, trust-building, and future-proofing – ensures every luxury business can continuously improve its ESG performance, realize ROI and optimize sustainability as a driver of corporate value. In addition, the Connected Butterfly Mark certification sets a new public disclosure standard for certified companies and the unique value Positive Luxury provides to luxury brands, retailers, and suppliers." – Amy Nelson-Bennett, Co-CEO of Positive Luxury.

For more information, please contact: Amore Philip | Apples & Oranges Public Relations | 929-229-5512 | Admin@aoprllc.com

News Media Interview Contact
Name: Amore Philip
Title: P.R. Director
Group: Apples & Oranges Public Relations
Dateline: New York, NY United States
Direct Phone: 929-229-5512
Cell Phone: 347-683-6626
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