After much deliberation, Horny Toad Activewear has changed its brand name to Toad & Co, but this does not mean that the company has changed its values. The company’s mission, “To lead with integrity and weave optimism into everything we do; To create meaningful change through socially and environmentally smart business; To inspire people to live their fullest lives,” remains at the core of Toad & Co. This mission is upheld through the company’s good deeds, environmental care, and community.
Photo Credit: http://www.toadandco.com/
Good Deeds
California-based Toad & Co. believes that people should never have to choose between buying clothes and being socially responsible. Employees participate in monthly creek clean ups, plant native plants in nature preserves, remove invasive species at parks, end illegal gun ranges, donate bicycles and clothing, and volunteer at soup kitchens and the Boys and Girls Club. Toad & Co.’s distributor is Planet Access Company, which only employs developmentally disabled individuals, helping them achieve better lives while encouraging shoppers to think about more than their closets.
Community
Voted as one of the Best Places to Work by Outside Magazine for five times, Toad & Co is known for its relaxed office, complete with ping-pong tables. But it isn’t just recognized for its office space; the company helps other small businesses throughout the community with monthly show-and-tell meetings, field trips, art exhibits, and auctions. Toad & Co. sees the creation of uplifting, inspiring, and motivated communities as one of the main purposes behind founding a small business.
Photo Credit: http://www.toadandco.com/
Environmental Care
Toad & Co.’s environmentally-friendly efforts extend to using only recycled paper products and LED lightbulbs, composting food scraps, and buying Renewable Energy Certificates. In addition, the company also uses only specific materials for its clothing: organic cotton (better for humans and the overall environment), Tencel® (developed from eucalyptus trees with 98% of its by-products used as recyclable materials), and Modal® (from European beechwood trees, which are renewable and sustainably grown). These materials are great for the environment and great for you – and they’re more comfortable to wear!
Photo Credit: http://www.toadandco.com
Toad & Co. at Appalachian Outfitters
Toad & Co. began as Horny Toad in Telluride, Colorado in 1991. Jessica Nordhaus used her garage to create unique, handmade winter hats for local residents. By 2013, Toad & Co. grew to 30 employees and 3 dogs in Santa Barbara, California. Be part of the process as the company continues to grow! You can do this without a road trip to California (even though that would be great!) and instead visit Appalachian Outfitters to see our line of Toad & Co. clothing. We look forward to our growing team of northeastern Ohioans who support Toad & Co. and similar socially responsible companies!