Talking Greene is a series of conversations on sustainability in Kuwait, the organization driving this movement, and finding resources to help the public make more informed decisions. As a business owner in the same sector, I feel it is my duty to support local groups and people who are trying to alter how we shop for products and raise environmental awareness both at home and abroad.

In this feature of Talking Greene, we got to know more about Yasmeen AlKandari and Yuser AlMutawa, co-founders of SEEDS Consulting.  Both of whom have graduated from their master’s degree from Leeds, they have managed to create their company SEEDS that focuses on conducting sustainable events and workshops, such as Bloom Market, and as well as providing consulting services for big projects, specifically for the new airport in Sabhan, Kuwait. They are also the recent winners of the “She’s Next” Kuwait Competition by Visa.

Give me a brief introduction about you guys.
Yasmeen: I studied civil engineering from my bachelor’s in Scotland however, I hated civil engineering. Hence, I wanted to get a Master’s degree in something more related to design, but sustainability was not in my background, although I knew very little about it. I thought sustainability was just recycling the basic skeleton back then. I then saw this course called Modern Building Design, and I immediately applied for it. That’s how me and Yuser met actually, as we applied to the same course at the same time.

Did your master’s degree expose you more about the environment and sustainability?
Yasmeen: So it was all about modern building design, and one of the main criteria of modern design is it must be sustainable. They have to be energy efficient, water efficient. That was a wow factor for me and Yuser. As a placement course that’s part of my degree, I worked with BDP in Manchester., focused on a project based in Saudi Arabia, and as I was on this project, I noticed that there was a lag between how different cultures design buildings and how to make them sustainable in their own regions.

Why did you apply for this course and how did you find it?
Yuser: I was also always an artist. I always love to have a creative side. And when I graduated, I noticed that the side kills, which was the creative design, led me to find the Modern Design Course and apply for it immediately. The course module talked about different aspects of design and how it should be integrated with the local environment and how it can be efficient instead of harming the surrounding environment.
Every week, we had a visiting lecturer from a company, we made learning much more fun from people in the industry. My placement was in Bristol, and it was about something called passive house. Basically, it was an architectural firm that was conducting a study on houses completely made from straw bales, making them into panels and using them to build houses for those people who cannot afford to pay so much for other building materials.

Give us an overview of what SEEDS is.
Yasmeen: So when we both came back to Kuwait, we already wanted to do something together since we were in the UK. We never changed our minds about it, but we went to do different jobs as we know the best way to achieve that we wanted is to get some job experience in Kuwait. My last job was working with Limak Insaat Kuwait, at the new Kuwait Airport and I was able to use my experience in my master’s degree and implement it. We are now working with Limak Insaat Kuwait on the new airport project as their subcontractor and local green building experts.

We first started SEEDS as an online directory connecting people with information about sustainable building design in the region. That was back in 2019, and with covid happening, the idea shifted into organizing classes, workshops, and events, which boomed drastically during 2020 to 2021 and that’s how we kicked off into another direction for the business. We built a community, and we started gaining people’s trust. Now, redefined ourselves as a pioneering consultancy offering we also offer SEEDS consulting to help buildings get approved for sustainable building regulations. along with sustainability training and events.

What new projects do you have coming up for SEEDS in the upcoming year?
Yasmin and Yuser: We are currently planning for our second Bloom Market! Which is expected to be hosted in December this year. The market collects all local sustainable businesses in a fun and lively way. It aims to bring the community together while spreading the awareness of sustainability.

What other sustainable brands, whether locally or internationally, are you guys a fan of?
Yasmin and Yuser: We’re a fan of so many different brands! Locally, we like Phula, a sustainable clothing brand founded by a Kuwaiti woman. We’re also fans of the Sanity Store that provides a variety of eco-friendly products. There’s also OG Apothecary Ultimate Wellness Brand & Modern Apothecary. Recently, we also became super fans of Jana Aromas! Their Misk Mamoul is perfection.

What advice do you have for those who want to follow their passion in doing something they love, especially in the sustainability industry?
Yasmin and Yuser: Discovering your passion is a wonderful gift. Hold onto it tightly and learn the skills you need to make it shine. Sustainability can be a challenging concept to convey, but it’s essential for our future. When talking to others, remind them that we’re not separate from the environment; we’re a part of it. When we protect our environment, we’re ultimately safeguarding ourselves and future generations. So, stay determined, find creative, easy ways to share your message, and keep your words simple and clear. Emphasize that saving the environment means saving ourselves. Keep it simple, keep it inspiring, and remember, our well-being is intertwined with the health of our planet.

What’s your future vision for SEEDS?
Yasmin and Yuser: We aim to boost the local green economy in the MENA region. The most sustainable countries in the world like Denmark and Sweden gain their strength from their local suppliers and consultants—a proven formula driving their sustainability prowess. With that being said, we aspire to be just that for the MENA region. With securing our first project in Saudi July this year and our expansion plans to the GCC by mid next year.

For more information about SEEDS, check out their consulting page @seeds.consult on Instagram and their event’s IG page @seeds.events.