Our Story
Our story really begins with a very mundane beginning, and frustration in finding a natural deodorant, and then frustration with a toothpaste tube.
Our founder Devin was going camping, and had fallen in love with a natural deodorant that got discontinued. With no deodorant to turn to, he turned to the internet, which let him to Native deodorant…. A $13 sub-par deodorant with unsuitable practices all throughout their company.
Frustrated, Devin began to research a natural solution and began to experiment on his own in creating what is now FOR THE TREES deodorant.
As he was testing “Formula #13” he was also running out of toothpaste. The frustration of having to try to squeeze toothpaste out of that stupid, unsustainable tube drove him insane. So he made his own toothpaste, and put it in a tube.
He realized that if he wanted to see these changes, he would have to be the change he desired. He harnessed his inner black bear and built FOR THE TREES so his fellow sustainability enthusiasts could live their truth, and save the planet while feeling great about the products they use.
Values and Culture
At FOR THE TREES we have several aspects that make up our Values and Culture. We have a Mantra, we’ve created our own Brand Identity, and we have our own set of curated Values, that we call “Totems”.
All of these elements help guide us to make the right decisions, and help us make the best products, work environment, and serve our community, and the planet in the best way possible.
Mantra
At FOR THE TREES we are unapologetically sustainable in everything we do, and we’re on a mission to save the earth.
We believe in Practice over Profit. We put our money where our mouth is and donate 100% of our net profits to 1 Tree Planted and the Bee Conservancy. We’re a part of 1% For the Planet to make the world a better place.
We practice Zero Waste, all natural product approaches, HyperSustainable Local Delivery, and believe in accessibility and inclusion for all.
Brand Identity
When it comes to our values and practices, we are loud, we are passionate, we are brash, we lead by example, we are radically transparent, we are unapologetically competitive, and we are unapologetically sustainable.
Culture Values - Totems
We call our values Totems - as they are a standing tribute and reminder to the values that we share as a company, as a community, and they help guide us when we need them to help make important desicions and drive direction.
Our Totems:
We are Unapologetically Sustainable (WUS)
- We push against the status quo and challenge ourselves and others (especially other companies) to put “Practice above Profit” and we strive to be sustainable in all walks of life
We are Unapologetically Excellent (WUE!)
- Speaks for itself
- We are excellent to ourselves, to others, and to our environment
We are Unapologetically Kind (WUK)
- We challenge ourselves to find opportunities to be kind, and leave the world better than we found it
- We are kind to others, kind to our environment, and most importantly, kind to ourselves
- Kind is NOT submissive
- We do not confuse Kind with being a doormat - we are kind to everyone, and everything, but we don’t dare let anyone tread on us, abuse us, or use us. We are VOLUNTARILY kind because it’s a better way to live, we are NEVER kind out of a sense of obligation.
We are Unapologetically Transparent (WUT)
- We challenge ourselves to have the hard conversations and face the FACTS because we are strong and because Clear is Kind
- We are transparent in our progress (we share the good for celebration and the bad for improvement), we are transparent in our feedback, and we are transparent in our feelings
- When we are transparent, we do not have to gossip, or “vent”
- When we are transparent, we gain autonomy
- When we gain autonomy we are our own managers
- When we are transparent we can have honest and open lines of communication, especially when there is an issue
We are Unapologetically Competitive (WUC)
- We are competitive against ourselves and others in the market
- We challenge ourselves and others to continuously grow
- We do NOT compete against each other, WE are the team. OUR TEAM is competing against others outside our team
We are Unapologetically Supportive (WUS2)
- We challenge ourselves to help others grow
- When we lift each other up, we all win
- Sometimes others have a hard time asking for support. We are there when they need us most.
Product Values:
Our Products have their own set of values as well. We use this set of values as precedent before production even starts. Every product we make MUST pass the 5 E’s:
1. Environmental
- Is this product derived naturally, with no unnatural occurring chemicals?
- Correct answer “Yes”
- Can it be used safely for the outdoors, with no negative consequences to the environment if left behind?
- Correct answer “Yes”
- Does it produce any negative by-products or pollution?
- Correct answer “No”
- Can it biodegrade within 1 month?
- Correct answer “Yes”