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Alex Husted

Co-FounderHELPSY

Philadelphia, PA

Member Since February 2021

Skills

Design Thinking
Sustainability
Facilitation

About

Alex is a founder and co-owner of HELPSY, the largest used clothing collection company in the Northeast US. HELPSY is also the only Certified B Corp in the used clothing business. He works tirelessly to curb the massive amount of textiles that are currently discarded and manage a triple bottom line. He also speaks frequently about what it means to be a B Corp and an environmentally focused business.

Published content

14 tips to lower the risks of launching a successful business

expert panel

Apply these steps to get (and keep) your company off the ground. There is a traditional assumption that if a business is still around—and thriving—after its first five years in the marketplace, then chances are the leadership and team are bound to see their company survive to take further strides. Now, in the new norm, with a global economy that is constantly changing and a digital culture to keep up with, business owners must work double time if they want their products or services to remain relevant in the public eye and gain the attention of potential new clients and customers.  If your company is still fresh out of the gate and looking for smart strategies to keep growing, tapping into the experience of successful entrepreneurs is a big help. Below, 14 experts from Fast Company Executive Board each offer one tip to help startup owners find ways to mitigate risk as they work to grow their businesses.

Is your business’s creative content becoming too bland?

expert panel

Here's what you might be missing when it comes to attracting and retaining new audiences. In the business world, content is king. This is especially true when you're trying to capture a long-term, loyal audience of potential clients and customers who can help your company grow. But it's not just about promoting your brand of products and services. Being too salesy too soon is often a turn-off for most potential customers. If you take the time to get to know them and their company on a deeper level, you'll have a better opportunity to turn your business into one that is worthy of their long-term trust and loyalty.  To better equip content teams in the coming year, 16 experts from Fast Company Executive Board each share one detail to help them understand how to create relevant content that speaks to their potential and current customers—whether it be through the company website, social media channels, video blogs, or email newsletters.

13 reasons for leaders to ditch their superiority complex at work

expert panel

Here's why humility and active listening skills are key to effective leadership. Behind every great leader is a great team. The continued success of that team and its ability to thrive, however,  also depends on the manager's ability and willingness to hear their employees out about the challenges they may be facing in the trenches or new ideas they want to bring to the table.  Developing an ego or coming across, more often than not, as a "know-it-all" in one-on-ones or team meetings may be a tell-tale sign that you have a superiority complex, which can ultimately lead your team to failure. The good news is that once you're able to identify your own behavior patterns and recognize you're not the only voice in the room, you'll be able to nip it in the bud quickly and effectively—once and for all. Here, 13 experts from Fast Company Executive Board share how and why it's so important for leaders to avoid a superiority complex no matter where they work. 

Eight ways to get ready for an economic downturn

expert panel

Apply these steps to disaster-proof your business in a volatile market. If the shifting economy has taught business leaders (and consumers alike) anything over these past several years, it's to plan wisely and invest in the future. Keeping your eyes on marketplace trends, signaling what's to come in the future, is also a good place to start when it comes to budget planning and saving. If you're not a numbers person, then bring in a financial coach who can give you the best advice before you make any concrete decisions. In the meantime, eight Fast Company Executive Board members each offer one step you can take to secure a disaster plan for the next financial crisis.

10 ways leaders can encourage team collaboration instead of competition

expert panel

Apply these tips to keep employees motivated without comparing themselves. In a competitive workplace, it's important for leaders to foster an environment where employees feel safe to express their challenges as well as successes without feeling intimidated or insecure about how they measure up to other team members. Bonding over common and personal interests outside of work is another opportunity to strengthen relationships. And when employees celebrate each others' wins and learn how to support others in collaboration it enhances mutual respect and admiration for the next person. Below, 10 Fast Company Executive Board members share their best practices on how to connect with colleagues in a healthy way without comparing their own success or lack of it.

Why saying 'no' can strengthen a business relationship

expert panel

Maintaining a professional and positive tone, in your response to a colleague's request, can strengthen your business relationship and build common ground. One of the most difficult skills, for some business leaders and their colleagues, is mastering the art of saying "no." This is especially true for those who are just starting out in the industry, trying to become well-established in their professions. On the other hand, saying "yes" to every single project or event that requires your full engagement and bandwidth, can be just as detrimental to your career path if it doesn't align with your business priorities and immediate goals. So don't fall into the trap of being sidetracked.  No matter where you are on the employment hierarchy at your present company and beyond, experts from Fast Company Executive Board agree that turning down a request—from anyone at any level—is appropriate at times in the workplace, especially if you are trying to move ahead on the projects that currently matter most and maintain a good work-life balance.

Company details

HELPSY

Company bio

In the US, more than 85% of discarded clothing goes into the trash when 95% could be reused or recycled. HELPSY is working with all stakeholders to keep clothing out of the trash including towns, businesses, landowners, schools and the fashion industry.

Industry

Social impact & nonprofit

Area of focus

Sustainability
Waste Diversion

Company size

51 - 200