Seeing Sustainability as an Opportunity, not a Threat: Sam Hamilton-Turner (Soundquake)

Welcome back to Sustainability Solved, this time with a twist! Hosts Will Richardson and Charlie Luxton chat with Sam Hamilton-Turner, co-founder of Soundquake, a purpose-driven podcast production company (now making this very podcast!) . Sam shares the story of Soundquake's transformation from a conventional, transactional business into a company with a clear focus on sustainability and purpose. He discusses the challenges, solutions, and lessons learned along the way.ProblemSoundquake initially operated as a generalist audio production company, taking on various projects without a focus or direction. This approach resulted in a lack of purpose, excessive travel, economic instability, and an unsustainable business model that conflicted with the founders' personal values, especially as they became more environmentally conscious.SolutionsClient Selection: The company began working exclusively with clients aligned with sustainability values, turning down projects that didn’t fit this criteria.Remote Work: They closed their Cardiff office and moved to remote working, reducing the need for travel and office-related emissions.Sustainable Procurement: Opted for high-quality, second-hand equipment to minimise electronic waste.Niche Focus: Specialised in purpose-driven podcasts, allowing them to become a go-to provider for other purpose-driven people.ResultsGreater Alignment: The business is now fully aligned with the founders’ values, leading to deeper fulfilment and motivation.New Market Opportunities: Focusing on sustainability has attracted more suitable clients and opened up new business prospects.Environmental Impact Reduction: Remote work significantly lowered travel emissions, and using second-hand equipment helped decrease electronic waste.TakeawaysAlign Business with Values: Choose clients and projects that reflect your organisation’s mission for a more meaningful impact.Niche Specialisation Drives Success: Focusing on a specific area can unlock unique opportunities and differentiate your brand.Saying No Can Lead to Better Opportunities: Declining projects that don’t align with your mission can open doors to more suitable and impactful work.Adopt Flexible, Sustainable Practices: Remote work and sustainable purchasing can improve both environmental impact and business efficiency.Mentions & Resources:Hook Norton Community Land TrustThe Ministry for the FutureClean CreativesSDG Action ManagerGreen Element Group is an environmental management consultancy offering a range of bespoke sustainability services, products, and resources to accelerate the just transition to a stable climate. The Group consists of Green Element Limited, Compare Your Footprint

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Making your organisation sustainable doesn't have to be complicated... Learn the proven strategies that transformed ordinary businesses into sustainability leaders, and how to implement them in your organisation today. Struggling to make your organisation more sustainable without sacrificing business performance? Each month on Sustainability Solved, Will Richardson & Charlie Luxton unpack how leading companies are cracking the sustainability puzzle - and extract the strategies you can actually use, regardless of your industry. We dive deep into real success stories, breaking down exactly how organisations overcame common sustainability challenges, from supply chain emissions to waste reduction. Through candid conversations with leaders who've been there, you'll get battle-tested approaches, practical frameworks, and actionable insights you can implement today. Whether you're just starting your sustainability journey or looking to accelerate progress, each episode gives you concrete tools to drive meaningful change while strengthening your business. Ready to turn sustainability from a challenge into competitive advantage?