Natural Pod

To hear Christopher Roy tell it, environmental responsibility and stewardship have been baked into Natural Pod's DNA from the outset. The company was founded in 2006 with the goal of making high-quality, environmentally sound toys. Although the product has since changed–it now produces sustainable classroom

furniture–the main objective hasn't.

Roy, a partner as well as director of marketing, is one of 15 employees at Natural Pod. While most staff work from home, the company's facility is based on Vancouver Island. “We try to make a product that looks simple and elegant, is made in Canada, but benefits the natural environment because of the way the material is sourced and, while being more durable, really ensures better air quality,” he says. (Unlike typical furniture, Natural

Pod pieces don't contain harmful chemicals that get released into the air.) The business has created some 15,000 learning spaces impacting nearly a million students across the globe, Roy adds.

Because of the way Natural Pod works, it was prepared for COVID. Many of its clients found themselves in a different situation, though. “We were quite concerned, of course, because we sell education furniture, and during the pandemic, especially the early part, lots of schools closed their doors,” Roy explains. But because governments in B.C. and some other places deem construction an essential service, the renovation and building of schools has continued, benefiting Natural Pod.

“A lot of customers have looked at this as an opportunity, and there's been heightened concerns around air quality and decisions around climate,” Roy says of COVID. “Because we're a value-based business, we're going to be dealing with uncertainties. But the pandemic has been kind to us.”