# Making A Small Notebook Business Sustainable - Seán Ó'Sullivan

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/book-of-leaves-16502/making-a-small-notebook-business-sustainable-se-n-sullivan
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/book-of-leaves-16502/making-a-small-notebook-business-sustainable-se-n-sullivan.md
Podcast: [Book of Leaves](https://stenobird.com/podcast/book-of-leaves-16502)
Published: 2026-08-31T14:41:25+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/bookofleaves/episodes/making-a-small-notebook-business-sustainable-sean-osullivan
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5fea6e9433e50d289b18005a/e/6a95868ad292c337c0cd7900/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/book-of-leaves-16502/episodes/making-a-small-notebook-business-sustainable-se-n-sullivan
Duration seconds: 2713

## Resource

Seán Ó Sullivan is the creator of the well known eco Irish notebook business, Badly Made Books, which has morphed into a new venture called Agus Arís . While a portion of this chat is about the need for sustainable printing practices, we delve a lot into the struggles of keeping a small business sustainable for the staff as well. Seán had so much great advice to share! You can stay up to date with his new venture on Instagram @and.agusaris . As always, don't forget to follow Book of Leaves on Instagram , Blue Sky or Facebook , leave us a review, and share with a friend. Support via Vinted , Patreon / Buy Me A Coffee or my short film crowdfundr is here 💕 Time stamps: [03:15] Seán introduces himself and his journey to activism [06:55] Why a company like Badly Made Books / Agus Arís is needed – what is unsustainable about mainstream book/notebook production. [11:00] The birth of Agus Arís [13:15] How the Agus Arís notebooks are made [16:35] The challenges Seán experienced running Badly Made Books and the questions around making an environmentally friendly business sustainable financially and mentally [27:15] Tips Seán has for anyone thinking of starting their own small business [30:00] Other leaves from Seán’s book [34:15] Imagining the future Also mentioned: ReRuns pop up shop Course in Finding Awe with Rachel Dempsey & Laura Kehoe Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet Course Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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## Transcript

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