Only Organic has started a new Q&A series highlighting Organic Pioneers throughout the industry. An area of the industry often overlooked is textiles. To shine a light on that industry we have interviewed Michael Twer of Delilah Home.
Organic Pioneer: Michael Twer, Organic Brand: Delilah Home
Why did you choose to create a certified organic product?
I have been in the textile business for many years. Over the last 6 years, I have focused on sustainability and the impact this has on our community. Most recently, I started Delilah Home to carry out the mission of providing the best organic textiles to the North American consumers. To date, we are certified to the GOTS and Vegan.org standards. In fact, we are one of the first textile companies to be certified Vegan (and this makes Delilah happy). Here is an overview:
Sustainability, Impact, and Community
Our Mission: We manufacturer the highest quality organic, natural, and sustainable home use textiles that are safer for your health and better for the planet.
Our Vision: We are a company that cares. Not only do we produce the very best quality products, we live each day to the best of our sustainable ability. By putting practice into play, we believe in being excellent stewards of our environment and community.
We believe: In doing things right the first time and without sacrificing the future in producing products that are not harmful for the environment, our workers, or the end-users we serve, and in being good stewards of our community we serve. Ten percent of profits go toward causes that make us all better OR that make the world a better place.
At Delilah Home, we care about the quality, the environment, and the community we serve. We manufacture and partner with factories that are certified to the highest textile standard. Furthermore, all of our products are made to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) using the highest quality organic cotton and hemp material. With little to no chemicals used in our entire supply chain, we aim to protect the environment from harsh chemicals that are commonly used in conventional cotton production. The results, our ”pure” products are the safest and cleanest textiles on the market. Lastly, we believe in being stewards of our community and partner with local charities (Humane Society, Habitat, Make A Wish, Beds for Kids).
Delilah Home was named after a scared puppy who survived a life-threatening ordeal in the Carolina mountains. She weathered extreme cold temperatures and record winds by living off the land for 62 days. (Learn more about that story here). Around her, an entire community rallied for her return, watching, and searching until she was eventually reunited with her family. Sustainability, impact, community. Her story reflects the fundamental pillars of Delilah Home. The company’s mission statements and visions aren’t just corporate speak. They are how we live our lives when we are not at work. Our core values weren’t born out of a branding session, they are a part of who we are as humans and are at the heart of every decision we make.
How long has your brand been certified organic?
We just received our OneCert certification in January of 2020.
Is it difficult to source certified organic ingredients?
It is not too difficult to source organic cotton. It is making sure the factory is truly certified to the GOTS standard, which many claim they are but only to find out they are not. The GOTS database really helps this process.
What myth would you like to bust about being an organic food pioneer or the organic industry as a whole?
Our textile industry is not regulated and this is a major issue. On several market place sites, there are fake products that claim to be organic or certified to the GOTS standard. We are working closely with the OTA/GOTS to help educate retailers, vendors on the traceability and transparency process.
What is the biggest challenge you face as an organic pioneer?
Our biggest challenge is fraudulent claims on organic, as mentioned above.
Where do you see organic food, farming, and products in the next 5 years?
Our business continues to grow and so is the industry. This is a great sign for the future. Over 2 Billion in non-food organic sales in 2019 is incredible. The whole industry has grown double digits in the last 6 years. This is amazing!
What advice would you give to a younger generation of entrepreneurs looking to get into the organic industry?
Stay the course, ask questions, and demand transparency for EVERYTHING.
Read the full article at http://www.onlyorganic.org/organic-pioneer-qa-delilah-home
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