Optimizing performance, function, and sustainability with Talley Goodson

As the founder of Felt Right and 3Form and, now, the newest board member of Lingrove, Talley Goodson has dedicated his career to the innovation of sustainable materials for the building and manufacturing sectors. This week on Disruptive Design, Goodson sits down with DNN Editor in Chief Courtney Porter to discuss the urgency of optimizing performance, function, and sustainability altogether. Click play on the video below to watch the discussion:

Sustainability and effective leadership

Investing in sustainability has to happen early and has to come from the top. “Environmental stuff is super important,” Goodson says. “But it’s never the fire you need to put out right now…[You have] to make it a priority and be willing to throw some time and cash at it. Otherwise, it’ll always be tomorrow’s problem.”

Prioritizing sustainability upfront is imperative for its success, but, as Goodson knows, these investments do not pay off overnight. Like planting a tree, they involve patience. After time, companies rake in benefits branching beyond their sustainability goals. Companies with commitment to sustainability like Goodson’s, attract top tier talent with greater company loyalty, people who care about more than just their paycheck.

When it comes to leadership style, something Goodson is particularly good at is recognizing that innovative ideas often come from unexpected places. In 2005, at 3Form he implemented “Green Week,” an initiative aimed to reduce waste in manufacturing and promote environmentally friendly practices.

3Form created a judgment-free zone to include everyone in their company, including accountants, human resources, etc. – those whose expertise lies outside the design and sustainability spheres. Together with the designers, makers, and other sustainability experts, they would brainstorm goals to make 3Form as green as possible.

Lingrove creates beautiful, healthy, clean, low-carbon, and superior performing products to replace the use of timber, metals, and concrete – to halt climate change.

The future of sustainable materials

“Materials aren’t the bad guys,” Goodson says. “It’s all about how we use them.” He uses plastics as an example – Single use plastics? Bad news. But invest in greater recycling technology? Not so bad.

In addition to up-leveling recycling tech, Goodson has his sights set on many areas ripe for innovation including:

Finding eco-friendly alternative to vinyl for healthcare settings
Creating alternatives to high-pressure laminate
Designing energy-efficient, aesthetic building envelopes
Eliminating harmful chemicals in the manufacturing process

The government has made some strides to solve these environmental issues, but, Goodson argues, waiting on the US government to make all the necessary changes will not only take too long but it’s also unnecessary.

“We can’t just sit around waiting for the government to save the day,” Goodson says. The private sector has the capability and the resources to solve these problems, so let’s roll up our sleeves and get to it.

About Talley Goodson

Talley Goodson is the Founder of Felt Right, LLC, a company dedicated to providing transformative material solutions for both living and workspace environments. Prior to Felt Right, Talley served as the visionary leader behind 3form, Inc., a company that revolutionized the world of translucent resin architectural design materials.

Under Talley’s guidance, 3form garnered numerous industry accolades and recognition for its groundbreaking contributions to design, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. Talley successfully steered 3form to over $100 million in revenue before ultimately selling the company to Hunter Douglas, Inc.

Anne Marie Barton on her two new organic modern collections of lighting and rugs premiering at High Point

Before his ventures with Felt Right and 3form, Talley held significant roles at FreeMarkets Inc. and McKinsey & Company, two prominent firms in the management consulting domain. He brings a wealth of experience and insights from these roles to Lingrove’s board.

Talley is not only a business luminary but also an advocate for positive change. He holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a degree in Mathematics from Brigham Young University.

Furthermore, he is a founding member of Leaders for Clean Air, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the installation of vehicle charging stations along the Wasatch Front.

Talley also established the Full Circle Foundation, which focuses on empowering women through micro-savings groups in Senegal and Nepal. His commitment to environmental conservation is reflected in his passion for outdoor activities such as mountaineering, skiing, and surfing.

About ekoa® by Lingrove

ekoa® knows that designers are looking for authentic, natural products that are not only beautiful but also performing. Enter ekoa® surfaces. Their surfacing eco-veneer made of natural flax fibers and biobased plant resins that is stiffer than aerospace fiberglass and stronger than steel by weight.