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10On Your Own Path

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

—Harriet Tubman

I wrote this book as an introduction to responsible sourcing for both consumers and corporate changemakers. Together we have examined how events in recent history have shaped both thinking and behavior around responsible sourcing for corporations and consumers. These events have also spurred forward the tools, technologies, and strategies that companies can leverage in order to increase transparency, accountability, and sustainability in their supply chains. We have also highlighted how this continues to be a rapidly changing area of business. New innovations; new partnerships; new motivations and attitudes by consumers, investors, and regulators; and even new risks (such as COVID‐19) continue to shape our attitudes in ways both anticipated and surprising.

The logical question to ask as we conclude our discussion is: what now? How can you stay abreast of the shifting landscape of responsible sourcing, and how can you start working to create change inside your own department, brand, and organization? In this final chapter, I will walk through where I think the sector is heading in the foreseeable future, as well as some suggestions of how you can navigate change within your own career. Given that responsible sourcing is not just a sustainability and impact problem but a power ...