Mana Mushrooms

Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs to a linguist/artist mother and a successful entrepreneur father who co-founded and sold The Great Frame Up franchise to Deck The Walls, Justin graduated Cum Laude Wabash College, majored in Psychology (double-minor in French and Economics) and participated in the Malcolm X Institute for Black Studies, the Student Senate, French Club, and Wabash's Division III baseball team. During this time, he also developed a multilevel marketing business: Excel Communications, later purchased by Canadian Teleglobe.

Justin spent a semester and summer in France during his Junior year. This time was spent studying in Tours (Institut de Touraine) and Grenoble (Boston University program CUEF, Universite Stendhal). A common thread through the two stages culminated in an independent study project on Cognac, France.

Directly after earning his degree, he moved to Boston to work for KLD Research & Analytics. He built their book of business more than 20 percent during over the 2 1/2 years he worked for the leading Socially Responsible Investment Research firm, exceeding sales targets every quarter for 8 consecutive quarters of direct responsibility and quotas. This now represents 40% given the recent loss of long time client Domini Social Investments. During his several years in Boston, he also managed all aspects of a multi-unit dwelling in the suburbs.

Encouraged and inspired by his success and the opportunities of social enterprise, he moved on to co-found Mana Threads, LLC. A major driver behind the transition was his desire to make a direct impact, rather than observe from the sidelines.

He currently serves on the board of Grass Commons and is developing Mana Mushrooms, a context-appropriate iteration of the principles espoused by Mana Threads, LLC.

Since founding Mana Threads, Justin has also taken up surfing. While in Brasil, he also participated briefly in SOS Itacare, an organization then focused on sustainable development of the region. He has also taken a Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives course and read voraciously to continue his own independent education. Some of this reading and Mana Mushrooms itself has been inspired in part by courses taken with Paul Stamets of Fungi Perfecti. He also spent several weeks in New Orleans as an apprentice carpenter, plumber, and electrician.