Boiling Point – Episode 141 – Scot Tatelman and State Bags

Give Back Pack

Introducing Scot Tatelman and State Bags 

It is truly great when you can buy a fantastic product for yourself and at the same time give a fantastic product to someone in need. This is exactly what happens when you purchase a bag from this week’s Boiling Point guest.

Scot Tatelman and his wife Jacqueline are the co-founders of State Bags, which is a one for one bag brand based out of New York City. Similar to companies like TOMS Shoes, for every State bag that is sold, State donates a fully stocked backpack to an American child in need; truly a win-win.

But this is not even close to where the giving stops for this philanthropic couple. In fact, the whole idea for State bags came from another cause that is close to their heart. Scot and Jacqueline have a passion for providing summer camp to under privileged, inner-city children. They noticed that when campers were settling in to camp, many would bring their items in plastic garbage bags, an observation that while truly heartbreaking, provided the inspiration for State Bags.

But this isn’t even where the story ends, so check out this episode of the Boiling Point to see how business can truly make positive impact.

In this episode

• Stephen Kopp is back hosting with a pant-less Greg.
• We hear how Greg met Scot at the B Corp Champions Retreat in Philadelphia.
• Scot tells us about the Give Back Pack program.
• We hear how the creation of State bags was inspired through an observation made at summer camp.
• We hear how kids get more than just a bag, but also inspiration and confidence at State’s bag drop events.
• Scot tells us how the company has changed from it’s beginning and how it had to be about more than just mission.
• There is discuss how mission based brands should go about promote their product vs. their mission.
• Scot explains the importance of camp to him and his family, even if it occurs during the “super bowl” of backpack sales, back to school time.
• We learn the difference between traditional B-Corps and Benefit Corporations.
• Scot tells us about the additional issues State is taking on with the “What do we tell the Kids Project”
• Greg uses an analogy of Jenga to talk about taking greed out of capitalism.