We had the good fortune of connecting with April Calnin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi April, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Several years ago, I came across the concept of “conscious capitalism,” which has evolved into a global movement to practice business in a way that serves and rewards all stakeholders, from the workers to the shareholders. That consciousness extends to the environment, including sourcing and processing of materials in ways that minimize negative impact and maximize regeneration.

The premise of conscious capitalism proposes that businesses have been a vehicle for people to live a better quality of life, and they create great value. When practiced consciously, capitalism can create a more equal, just world where everyone has enough to thrive. Wealth is defined not as having more money or things, but also having time, health, longevity, and peace.

Calnin House champions eco-friendly and socially responsible practices by sourcing from manufacturers who create safe and fair work environments while respecting the environment, or from artisans and makers who craft small batches by hand, or from found and vintage items that carry stories from times past and create a culture of slow décor.

One reason I run Calnin House is to contribute to the conscious capitalism movement, harnessing the market economy in a way that serves all, not just those already at the top. This aligns with my core values and represents an evolution of my career. It is a move from non-profit, where philanthropy comes from those who have benefited from traditional capitalist structures, to “help” those who have suffered from the same structures, to consciously for-profit, where the benefit is fairly provided all along the value chain.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The genesis of my career came when I traveled to West Africa as a teenager. This planted the seed that I could use the resources and opportunities available to me as an American to contribute to solving problems that keep a large majority of humanity burdened by poverty.

My twenties were a time of competing priorities. I completed a bachelor’s in international studies and political science and began a non-profit career, but also fell deeply in love, got married, and had children. I was faced with many challenging decisions. I left a master’s degree program when I became pregnant because I mentally and physically could not do it all. I took a job that didn’t fully align with my values but had the potential to provide a track in an international field. We decided to move four hours for a job that was below my experience level but had real potential to grow my career in the direction I wanted.

My thirties represented a maturation of my new career. I have spent ten years gaining credibility, experience, and a network of colleagues across the globe. I have established a deep understanding of a few key facts:
1. I can only control my contributions each day. That is my responsibility. One person cannot “save the world”.
2. Social, economic, and political systems are incredibly complex, and they are constantly changing. To participate most effectively, one must find the people who know how to navigate specific complexities.
3. Spending an entire lifetime striving leaves a soul depleted, burnt out, and a little lost. Life is meant to be lived. Small mindful moments are the fabric of a beautiful life.

My forties so far have been an exploration of entrepreneurship and leaning into my passions and values. The future will always be uncertain, but by adapting to changing circumstances and focusing on the basics and building true wealth should keep me sane and happy enough.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
With an entire week in Atlanta, I would ensure that we visited North Georgia, made it to the ocean, and spent time exploring the city.

In Atlanta, we would visit Westside Market Roswell to check on the Calnin House booth (#506) and shop the other local artists and curators. We would have a coffee and do a little reading at Read Shop by The Merchant in Vinings, and eat dinner at The Chastain. We would spend a day hiking at Sope Creek or East Palisades trail and exploring the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

In North Georgia, we would visit Amicalola Falls, then have lunch, and go antiquing in downtown Dahlonega. We would walk through downtown Helen and have a coffee on the patio at JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters, looking out over the rolling hills.

One day we would get up early and drive 2 hours to Chattanooga, TN for a tour of Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center to see the red wolf sanctuary and learn about land and wildlife conservation. We’d stop by the Hunter Museum of American Art for beautiful river views and artistic and historic inspiration, and hit up Niedlov’s Café and Bakery before heading back to Atlanta.

We would cap off the week with an overnight stay on Tybee Island at the Fort Screven Barracks, rehabbed into condos for rent on AirBnB. After sitting on Tybee Beach for a few hours, we would get lunch at the North Beach Bar and Grill, then tour the Tybee Island Marine Science Center and the Battery Garland museum before heading back to Atlanta.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Katie Calnin, my long-time best friend turned sister-in-law, continues to inspire my love of design and co-founded Calnin House with me. She has a deep well for self-growth, motivation, and intentional living. We came of age together in the hills of the Wisconsin Driftless Area and have become family through marriage, taking on the role of the sister we each never had.

Website: https://www.calninhouse.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calninhouse/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-calnin-484b6a55/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calninhouse

Image Credits
Images all credited to Calnin House.

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