Empowering Change: A Conversation with Nathalia Grisard, Founder of gngr bees

Blending empowerment and activism - gngr bees is redefining activewear sustainably and innovatively. An inspirational brand whose core values and story-telling show through their high-quality, ethically made clothing, gngr bees focuses on a better tomorrow. 

What grew from a love of wildlife transformed into a passion for making an impact for founder Nathalia Grisard. Fast forward to the present, and Nathalia's dream is now a reality, so I was delighted to speak with her about her remarkable journey behind the creation of gngr bees. 

Hey Nathalia, thank you so much for kindly taking time out to let me interview you today! I am in awe of your brand, not only the products but your story.

For many who are not aware, who are gngr bees?

gngr bees is a brand committed to positive global impact through conscious practices,  valuing the well-being of everyone in our supply chain, from garment makers to clients and partners. 

Our overall value is to care for everyone involved in our supply chain and how it affects the whole - from the team behind sewing our garments, our community and beloved clients and our project partners through safe work, accreditations, quality products,  empowerment education and environmental funding.

In a nutshell, I like thinking that gngr bees is a community of women who go beyond telling clothes with a story but who think of the entirety of the planet as one and take positive and conscious action towards the future they want to see. 

Sustainable clothing is increasing in popularity! 
However, many big companies are being exposed as ‘greenwashing’. 

Why is it paramount for people to research and invest in honest, high-quality, sustainable brands like gngr bees instead of those that use ‘sustainability’ as a trend and do not actively participate?  

Sustainability has become inflated and misused by brands lacking genuinely sustainable practices aiming to attract eco-conscious consumers.  

It is paramount for consumers to understand that no brand can be 100% sustainable due to the inherent environmental impact of production.

Consumers hold power in their purchases, which should reflect informed choices about the brand's ethical practices and alignment with personal values. Understanding this is key to acknowledging that the existence of the future we want to see lies in our own hands, not in the different supply chains of brands we like purchasing from.  

It would be easy to say “gngr bees is sustainable” but what makes us a conscious, better brand is the fact we focus on continuous improvement rather than claiming perfect sustainability, emphasizing our commitment to the planet and its inhabitants. 

Being a women-led brand, how has your journey been navigating starting gngr bees as the female founder?  

I like approaching things with positivity and kindness first - obstacles will exist for everyone. Some of us will face bigger challenges due to many different factors, and it is easy to fall victim to them, but you must push through.

I grew up in a family where my parents had their own business, and I remember thinking, “I could never do this!" 

They never took holidays; they would work early mornings and late evenings, and all I wanted to do was work my way up in a company that would allow me some freedom, holidays and good pay. 

Fast forward 20 years, and here I  am - doing the late evenings and the early mornings, and I finally understand how rewarding it is to work on something that sets your soul on fire.

A lot of thought went into starting my own business. 
When opening gngr bees, I aimed to create a supportive, women-led environment where empowerment and collaboration are at the core. 

Our female team's strength lies in our discerning approach and collective problem-solving, driving us towards our goals with a shared vision and a “can do” attitude.

Why is it important to commit to these sustainable practices? 
And what is the process behind creating these sustainable products?  

There are many ways to create things, and if there is a better way, I question - “why isn’t everyone doing it?”. 

Working with waste was a no-brainer - humanity has already produced everything we need, and resources are limited. 

By working with technology and having a little bit of will to do things differently, we can create better without using further resources from our planet. 
Our design process is driven by community engagement and support for meaningful causes. We begin with the end in mind, collaborating with communities or individuals passionate about specific projects or causes, and then create designs to champion these initiatives. 

gngr bees is more than a brand; it's a collective of pioneering women working together to shape a desirable future for all!

Having the gngr bees foundation is a fantastic addition to your brand, empowering people to action change through projects and partnerships. 

How did this foundation come to light? And why is it so important to get involved?  

Two years ago, as part of our rebranding, we launched the gngr bees foundation to deepen our connection with both our community and the artisans behind our clothing. 

Through the Hive project, we emphasize transparency and share profits within our supply chain, valuing the hard work of those who craft our garments. 
While partnering with impactful community projects and foundations, we realized the significance of supporting small initiatives where even modest contributions can create substantial change. 

This realization prompted us to focus inward, ensuring our supply chain is certified and aligned with our ethical values.  

We maintain a close relationship with our suppliers, a small team of 16, enabling personal connections and open communication. 

This approach extends to our entire operation, where feedback and mutual support are key. Funding from sales supports these relationships and allows our team the freedom to share and celebrate their collective efforts, embodying the transparency and community spirit central to gngr bees. 

I want to highlight a post from your social media that interested me! Last year,  you posted that gngr bees weren’t participating in Black Friday.

As a worldwide event that so many companies contribute to, what made you want to not engage with this popular sale? And why should more companies move away from this event? 

At gngr bees, our core mission is to craft high-quality, durable clothing from sustainable materials like recycled polyester and nylon, designed to last a lifetime and defy fleeting trends.  

Our ethos is centred on creating investment pieces that transcend the disposable nature of fast fashion. We eschew events like Black Friday, which contradicts our values of longevity and mindful consumption. Instead, we focus on producing garments that stand the test of time and support sustainability and thoughtful purchasing decisions, reinforcing our commitment to a better future for our planet and its inhabitants. 

Your products consist of planet-empowering activewear in stunning colors! Have you seen a difference in access to sustainable activewear since gngr bees launched? And why did you decide to focus on activewear? 

I have definitely seen a few more brands emerge in the market, including existing ones creating new "sustainable" collections using recycled textiles to tap into the sustainable segment of the market. As we know, sustainability goes far beyond using recycled textiles only - it encompasses the entire supply chain, hence why educating customers on what we do and what they should look out for remains one of our core beliefs.  

Finally, as someone who has never been able to find comfortable activewear! Why should people make the switch to gngr bees? And what is your favorite product you recommend as a beginner purchase?
  
Well, I’d say you found a home! Our priority is to make every woman feel empowered,  supported and comfortable when wearing gngr bees, and we take this seriously - how else are we meant to take over the world?! We are so much more than activewear - we are clothes that tell empowering stories through a community of incredible women who share them. At gngr bees, you work in sustainably made clothing and support various projects worldwide that save biodiversity, clean the oceans, plant mangroves, protect wildlife, and so much more! Your clothes are a badge of honor for what you believe in,  so why not be proud of what you wear?

As for my favorite product...that's a hard one, but I love our native flares and our native sculpting zip-up top! I wear them on the go with our caps and chunky socks!!

Pre-order gngr bees newest spring collection before 25th April, and you'll get a free gift! To explore and purchase visit gngrbees.com