Esther Kim created ConsiderBeyond as a data and research company to better deliver information on conscious lifestyle brands and products to consumers worldwide.
Acknowledging that information on conscious brands and lifestyle tends to be scattered around the internet, Esther set out to bring this information together in one platform with professional perception and knowledge.
The ConsiderBeyond app enables consumers to discover brands worldwide aligned with their personal values and learn practical ways to adopt healthier and conscious lifestyles for themselves, society, and the environment.
Read our conversation with Esther, CEO and Founder, below:
Why is the work you do important?
Esther: Regardless of demographic and generation, people are increasingly aligning their consumption with their values, standing up for what they believe in. The world is changing. I have never seen such acceleration in the collaborative effort to bring a positive impact to this world. The big movement in sustainability and conscious consumerism has just started. Sustainable living is increasingly becoming the top of mind for a lot of consumers; we will see a big shift in consumer behaviour and values within the next few years. This trend will only accelerate in the era of post-COVID 19.
We believe that by providing easier access to sustainable products that align with consumers’ values, we take one step closer to addressing today’s global challenges. If given the choice, people will be more likely to choose a lifestyle that combats practices they disagree with socially and environmentally. ConsiderBeyond is that bridge that connects sustainable brands with conscious people and vice versa, ultimately helping both sides make informed decisions to create a healthier, safer, and better world for us to live in.
How has sustainability changed in the past 5 years?
Esther: When I started my career in sustainability, there was a lot of convincing to do to get people excited and interested. The trend for sustainability has been accelerating over the past ten years, and it is more recent that its traction has gone mainstream by the global audience. From sustainable developments by the UN to the Paris Climate Accord and now Biden’s $2.25 trillion plan for infrastructure package and climate mitigation, the movement for “more green” has undoubtedly become a top global agenda.
I believe this wave is going to impact a new way of thinking for consumers. Consumers will start to see what is beyond the price tag. Many brands are preparing for this change, for example, integrating blockchain technology for more transparent supply chains. Businesses now understand that integrating sustainability into their core business strategy leads to innovation and greater opportunities. This is a great change. I hope this is the mere beginning of the huge revolution to come for all stakeholders!
How has ConsiderBeyond coped during the pandemic?
Esther: ConsiderBeyond is in its beta stage and far from perfect. That being said, we are thankful that brands are continuously approaching us for potential partnerships. We are lucky to see our global community grow supporting our mission and what we do. Engaging with founders of conscious brands, we have been proactive in building a platform for them to share their stories, experiences, and insights through webinars. We are currently going through various iterations of our app to provide an optimised experience for our global users.
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that people are more aware of how much our choices have catastrophic consequences. People are more determined than ever before to purchase goods and services from businesses they know have made efforts to be environmentally friendly and support social causes. So we hope we can fill in that gap by providing consumers with a global open knowledge platform to make it effortless and convenient for the consumers to adopt a conscious lifestyle.
Where do you see ConsiderBeyond in five years time?
Esther: In five years time, I see ConsiderBeyond becoming the global go-to-platform for all things conscious lifestyle. Whether it’s education that consumers need or products they wish to buy, our goal is to create a global ecosystem of conscious brands and consumers and provide an all-in-one platform to live out their values each day.
What sets ConsiderBeyond from other companies is that we provide factual, objective information without ranking or comparing brands with each other. Ultimately, we want to build a kind and encouraging community without being overly competitive. We want to focus on making a conscious lifestyle simple and effortless. As we learn, grow and make positive changes in the market, we wish to walk along with our community of users, brands, and professionals to make a bigger positive impact to this world together.
