Everyone knows now that data collection happens every time you log onto your phone or use an app. With the amount of data being collected, you’d hope someone was utilizing it for good. This is where Your Arbor came in. Abdullah Choudhry launched Your Arbor with his co-founders to empower consumers to make informed decisions about where and how they spend their hard-earned money. Arbor built a platform that gives people information about conscious consuming.
Let’s get to know Abdullah Choudhry a little bit better and find out how Your Arbor got started.
What is your occupation?
Co-Founder at yourarbor.com
Tell us a little bit about you and your background:
I am a sustainability researcher by profession and left my research/academia aspirations to co-start Arbor with my other founders.
What is a fun fact about you?
I have studied, lived, struggled and worked in 4 different countries: Canada, UK, USA and Pakistan.
What was your motivation to get into this industry?
With the 2020 that we all had to endure, there has been so much chaos around the world and the immediate action to address the chaos. We wanted to create something that would let consumers empower their values and vote with their wallets; so they don’t have to wait on governments to discipline corporations but can incentivize the economy to be green, for its own profits.
Why do you think sustainability is such an important topic today?
I think it is the right time for everyday consumers to take a stance and rewire our economy. Just like labor rights started it back in the 19th century and the social movements carried it in the 20th century, it is the right of the 21st century consumer to empower sustainability and make it a lasting, fundamental for businesses to build off of.
What do you envision your industry looking like 10 years from now?
I think in the next 10 years, the sustainability industry will be competing with mainstream industries in the market; finance, construction, tech and so much more.
What can the average person do to make a difference?
All change starts from within. Protesting and showing support is one way of making a difference. What we ask of our users is to make sure they carry their values with them everyday. Being conscious of what kind of an impact your purchases are creating and do they support their independent values?
What positive changes are you seeing?
The consumers are taking control more and more everyday. It is our economy and it has our say in more ways that we can imagine. Let’s keep promoting the good companies and keep exercising our right as consumers for better, cleaner, ethical products.
Going Green wants to thank Abdullah for taking the time to share their experience working in Conscious Consuming.
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