Building an Equitable Future
Sally Morse on Revolutionizing Women’s PPE
In this episode, Natasha Ozybko talks with Sally Morse, an entrepreneur and leader in the PPE industry who founded Spectra Supply and Unify Safety Supplies..
The Psychology of Business
Morse began her career with a background in psychology and business, rather than manufacturing.. She saw an opportunity when she noticed that work gloves were the most common consumable product in her friend's company and launched Spectra Supply in 2019.. Despite starting right before the COVID-19 pandemic, she used her entrepreneurial "ambition" to pivot and grow..
Identifying the Void
As a woman in the manufacturing space, Morse quickly realized that there was almost no choice for women regarding proper fit.. She shifted her focus to ensure female workers are safe and comfortable on-site.. Her company, Unify Safety Supplies, distributes specialized gear that mainstream suppliers often overlook, such as fire-resistant sports bras and underwear for women..
The "Coopetition" Strategy
Morse believes in "coopetition" - cooperating with other female manufacturers even if they sell similar products.. She often brings other women-owned brands into her trade show booths to create awareness for their brands, prioritizing the end user’s safety over a single sale.
Advocacy and Education
Morse uses her personal history, including a story from grade five where she had to voice up to get equal opportunity, to encourage women to demand better gear.. She argues that if an employer refuses to provide proper PPE, it is a safety issue that should be escalated to HR or legal.. She emphasizes that the "opportunity cost" of losing a female worker due to poor gear is far higher than the cost of the gear itself..
Futures in Trades and Technology (FiTT)
To address the labor shortage, Morse launched the FiTT event in Calgary to connect young people to the trades.. The event focuses on showing that the energy and infrastructure industries are high-tech and essential for a sustainable transition, featuring innovations like robotic dogs and women's workwear shows.
Conclusion: Leading with Purpose
Morse concludes by urging both leaders and employees to embrace the power of small, incremental adjustments. Applying the mantra "each one teach one," she suggests that even a 1% or 2% shift in organizational culture, such as ensuring one worker has properly fitting gear, can accumulate into massive systemic change over time. By aligning personal safety values with professional purpose, Morse believes the industry can move beyond being "bored" to finding true happiness through impactful work. Her final charge to the MOXY community is to never quit and to use their voices to correct injustices, ensuring that equal access to safety and opportunity becomes the industry standard.