We had the good fortune of connecting with Joseph Rudy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joseph, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe the most important factor behind our success thus far, has been our passion for what we do, and why we do it. A profound love and passion for conservation, and education around the natural world are the driving force for what we do every day, and it is exactly this mission that inspires us to work tirelessly to improve our process and the business constantly. If you do something you love, you are more likely to do it better than anyone else.

We are in an extremely niche business, the supply of butterflies and insects from small family farms around the world. The family groups we work with also share the love of conservation of the natural world. Many of these families also conserve large areas of natural rainforest around their businesses or work in conversation or sustainable community development in some manner. This mission is at the heart of what we do, and why we are proud to do it.

What should our readers know about your business?
Working with the butterfly farms and families that are our suppliers around the world and supporting their work is one of our greatest privileges. In a world where the climate is constantly becoming more volatile, I believe every small effort to combat the issue of climate change is of vital importance. One of our partners in Costa Rica has used all of their excess profits over the past years to purchase old-growth rainforest land around their farm, which they protect as a wildlife sanctuary only allowing in biology students for research and study. To date, they currently own and protect over 1,000 acres of rainforest.

Another farm we are starting working with in Ecuador follows the same business model and buys up rainforest land around their farm, they currently protect over 450 acres, and provide good-paying jobs to some 30 members of their community. Another group in Indonesia operates under a permit from the Indonesian government where they raise a species of butterflies called Orinothoptera or “birdwing” butterflies, and they release a large portion of what they raise back into the wild each year to help repopulate these magnificent butterflies.

Stories like these are frequent among our suppliers, and why we are proud to be able to support them. It’s this mission that sets us apart from competitors and gives us drive and purpose to be the best company we can.

Getting to where we are certainly wasn’t easy, I started in an office space that was a 5’x8′ room, basically a closet where I practiced art involving butterflies and quietly grew my practice and passion. Since then over the past 7 years we have grown through 3 different office spaces as the business has grown. But it has always been our core mission and passion of what we do that has fueled this growth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would probably start at another one of my favorite businesses in the city, The Insect Asylum! They are a non-profit museum that offers an incredible collection of insects, taxidermy, and live animals to educate the public; really a wonderful institution.

Then i’d go over to Dove’s Luncheonette for a classic dinner lunch experience, and then probably head down to the lake to walk around the museum campus! I always find it inspiring and uplifting to be in that area of the city. I’d say one definitely has to grab a Chicago-style hotdog while you’re in town, and then end the day at Navy Pier for the fireworks if it’s a Saturday evening. It’s a view you can’t beat!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am lucky enough to own a successful and unique small business, but none of my success would be possible without the countless people who have helped along the way, our incredible team at our office, and my wonderful husband.

No one does anything alone, and I am no exception. If you are sharing and working towards something you are passionate about, if you are lucky there are usually people along the way that are also excited by your passion and willing help! This has come in all shapes and sizes for me, from people offering general advice about how we can improve our business, or folks offering to make connections to good suppliers or consultants who might help us grow. I am forever grateful to all of the beautiful souls who have helped me with their business knowledge, contacts or referrals, or sage wisdom.

Our amazing team at the office is the next component of our success. I believe they also share this passion for our mission, and show up every day to take great care of our customers, take initiative to solve problems, and generally enjoy working in the butterfly and insect world and sharing that passion with customers and each other.

And finally, I am only able to show up every day and give 150% to my work because I have such an incredible, loving, and supportive partner at home. I am forever his adoring fan, and my life is truly better because he is a part of it.

Website: www.thebutterflycompany.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebutterflycompany/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebutterflycompanyunltd/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.