Good and Green
The Good and Green Podcast, hosted by sustainability advocate Chit Juan, delves into the realms of food, lifestyle, and culture. The show aspires to encourage and empower the youth, entrepreneurs, and policy makers to live a more sustainable lifestyle by sharing practical and innovative ideas, eco-friendly solutions, and inspiring stories from changemakers driving positive change in the world.
Good and Green
Episode 20: The Important Role of Sustainable Fashion in Uplifting Communities with Reese Fernandez - Ruiz
How can a social enterprise stay resilient for nearly two decades?
In this episode, Chit Juan speaks with Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, co-founder of R2R (Rags2Riches), about her journey in sustainable fashion and ethical entrepreneurship. Reese shares how R2R started by supporting artisans in Payatas and evolved into a fully integrated fashion brand. She discusses the pivots, challenges, and lessons learned in building a business that uplifts Filipino artisans while staying profitable and impactful.
GUEST BIO:
Reese Fernandez-Ruiz is the co-founder and president of R2R (Rags2Riches), a sustainable fashion brand that empowers Filipino artisans through ethical craftsmanship and livelihood opportunities. Under her leadership, R2R has become a model for social entrepreneurship, blending sustainability with inclusive business practices. She has received global recognition for her work, including the Agora Awards for Social Enterprise in 2025 and representing Philippine MSMEs at the World Economic Forum in Davos. She was also named an Italian Design Day Awardee in 2023 and featured in Tatler’s Asia’s Most Influential list in 2022. Through R2R, Reese continues to drive innovation in sustainable fashion while uplifting artisan communities.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
- How R2R empowers Filipino artisans through sustainable fashion
- The importance of pivoting in business for long-term success
- Why profit and impact must go hand in hand for social enterprises
- The role of in-house design and vertical integration in sustainability
- How international expansion presents both opportunities and challenges
- Tips for social entrepreneurs on resilience and financial sustainability
QUOTES:
- Our mission was to lift Filipino artisans out of poverty, and I'm so proud that up to today, that is exactly what we're doing. – Reese Fernandez-Ruiz
- I learned a lot from good mentors, but what I had to learn the hard way was what to listen to and what to ignore. – Reese Fernandez-Ruiz
- I think of problem solving in a more societal way. I really like seeing the artisans being able to take care of their own families. – Reese Fernandez-Ruiz
- I don't like solutions that are one time big time. I like solutions that can be used over and over again. – Reese Fernandez-Ruiz
- Start with one positive impact and then go from there. – Reese Fernandez-Ruiz
- The more we avoid saying the word profit, the more it avoids us. – Reese Fernandez-Ruiz
- Start with using what you already have, repairing what you already have. – Reese Fernandez-Ruiz
LINKS or RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Connect with Reese Fernandez - Ruiz:
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
- Subscribe to the Good and Green Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
- Follow Chit Juan on Instagram and Facebook, and LinkedIn
- Subscribe to EchoNews on LinkedIn.
