#32: Linzi Hawkin – Impact Strategy Expert On Building Purpose-Driven Ocean Businesses That Make Real Impact And Real Money

The Ocean Age

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Linzi Hawkin is a creative strategist passionate about protecting the ocean through the power of strategy, storytelling, and education. She is the co-founder of Protect Blue - an ocean-focused organisation built around two core pathways: a creative agency that partners with NGOs, governments, and brands to drive tangible impact, and a direct support platform for ocean advocates and activists, providing the tools, community, and resilience they need to lead lasting change.

Through this dual approach, Linzi strengthens conservation efforts while nurturing a thriving network of grassroots ocean leaders - helping them stay energised, impactful, and deeply connected to nature.
Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to The Ocean Age Podcast and Expert Guest
00:01:04 - Defining Impact Strategy for Purpose-Driven Businesses
00:02:40 - The Importance of Gaining Clarity on a Problem To Solve
00:07:44 - Finding Your Niche in the Ocean Space and Experimentation
00:11:42 - The Importance of Real-World Feedback and Minimum Viable Product
00:16:16 - The Challenge of Saying No to Opportunities to Maintain Focus
00:19:48 - Strategy as a Filter for Decision Making in Impact Ventures
00:20:52 - Practical Frameworks for Building an Impact Strategy
00:28:50 - How to Identify When Your Strategy is Flawed or "Off"
00:30:53 - Measuring Real Impact vs. Misleading "Vanity Metrics"
00:35:01 - Understanding and Avoiding Common Vanity Metrics
00:42:52 - Course Correction and Strategy Adjustment
00:48:50 - "Green Hushing" and Brands' Fear of Greenwashing Accusations
00:52:40 - Balancing Profit with Positive Impact for Financial Sustainability
00:57:07 - Case Study: The Innovative Seaweed Surfboard Project
01:04:17 - Challenges Faced by Ocean Activists and Entrepreneurs
01:06:58 - Advice for Young Professionals
01:13:11 - Upcoming Projects
01:20:00 - The "Stoke" Piece: Importance of Wellness and Fair Pay in Impact Work
01:23:44 - Conclusion and Where to Find More Information

Useful Links & Resources:
Linzi Hawkin: Website and LinkedIn
Protect.Blue: Website

Wavemakers

UnderCurrent

IDEO free courses

Acumen Theory of Change free course

The Seaweed Surfboard Project

Get in touch with The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ or by emailing directly at [email protected]
The Ocean Age podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojsa Lesha. Sarah Carpenter is our research assistant.

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