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Devin: What is your superpower?
Chef Todd: I care
What if a favorite drink could change the world? That’s the ingenious idea behind Chef Todd Manley’s Mutiny Island Vodka. By using breadfruit—a tropical superfood—as its primary ingredient, Mutiny Island Vodka addresses two pressing global challenges: poverty and climate change.
Todd, a chef turned entrepreneur, explained how breadfruit transforms lives in tropical regions. “One breadfruit tree will feed a family of four for life,” he noted, emphasizing its nutritional and economic potential. In regions plagued by food insecurity and poverty, breadfruit provides not only sustenance but also economic opportunities. Farmers can grow breadfruit to feed their families, sell it locally, or export products like breadfruit flour. Mutiny Island Vodka incentivizes the planting of these trees, creating a sustainable cycle of economic growth and environmental restoration.
Breadfruit’s environmental benefits are equally impressive. Todd highlighted, “Breadfruit trees sequester hundreds of tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and they’re long living.” Unlike annual crops like wheat or corn that require replanting, breadfruit trees thrive for decades, continuously bearing fruit while pulling carbon dioxide from the air.
Mutiny Island Vodka, the world’s first vodka made from breadfruit, is more than just a spirit—it’s a movement. The company’s partnerships with organizations like the Trees That Feed Foundation amplify its impact. For every bottle sold or investment made, a breadfruit tree is planted in a region that needs it most. This initiative not only addresses food security but also serves as a scalable climate solution.
Todd and his team are currently raising funds through a regulation crowdfunding campaign on Start Engine. This capital will help expand production and distribution, bringing Mutiny Island Vodka to more people and creating even greater impact. Todd shared his ambitious vision: “We are set on becoming a household name...better cocktails, better planet.”
Todd’s innovative approach and commitment to making a difference demonstrate how business can be a force for good. Mutiny Island Vodka isn’t just a drink—it’s a tangible example of how ingenuity and purpose can tackle global challenges. Those interested in supporting this mission can explore the opportunity to invest and join the effort to fight poverty and save the planet, one sip at a time.
tl;dr:
Mutiny Island Vodka uses breadfruit to fight poverty and climate change while producing award-winning spirits.
Breadfruit trees provide food security, economic opportunities, and carbon sequestration in tropical regions.
Mutiny Island Vodka is raising funds via regulation crowdfunding to expand production and impact.
Todd’s superpower, caring, drives his work and fosters a network of trust and collaboration.
During the pandemic, Mutiny produced hand sanitizer for frontline workers, showcasing care and ingenuity.
How to Develop Caring As a Superpower
Todd’s superpower is his genuine care for others. He explained, “I think my number one superpower is I care.” This deep empathy fuels his work and draws like-minded people into his orbit, fostering a network of trust and collaboration. Todd elaborated, “When you find someone else that has that same superpower, you tend to really latch on to them...having that is just incredible.”
Illustrative Story:
During the pandemic, Todd noticed that the Virgin Islands had no hand sanitizer for hospitals, police, or frontline workers. Leveraging Mutiny Island Vodka’s resources, his team began producing sanitizer using breadfruit-derived alcohol. This act of care not only met the community’s critical needs but also helped sustain the business during a challenging time.
Tips for Developing the Superpower:
Practice listening actively by using “two ears and one mouth” to understand others better.
Reframe negative thoughts or words into positive, solution-oriented language.
Cultivate empathy by considering what others might be experiencing.
Surround yourself with like-minded, caring individuals to foster collaboration and trust.
By following Todd’s example and advice, you can make caring a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Chef Todd Manley (he/him):
CEO, Mutiny Island Vodka
About Mutiny Island Vodka: Our company was founded to produce the World's first, Island Vodka, hand crafted with breadfruit, Mutiny Island Vodka. The business has grown to encompass a production distillery, restaurant, tourist attraction, event venue, and of course Mutiny Island Vodka as a brand on its own. Mutiny Island Vodka is being featured on the shelves and menus of some notable partners such as: The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Applebee's Franchisees, American Airlines Lounges, Virgin Voyages, and more. The partners align with the sustainability and altruistic components of the brand, ie; breadfruit!
Website: mutinyislandvodka.com
Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/search/top?q=mutiny%20island%20vodka
Other URL: startengine.com/offering/mutinyislandvodka
Biographical Information: Todd has been honored to receive numerous awards from "Chef of the Year" to multiple recognitions of his restaurants as the "best" in several categories, and nominated for an Elby Award in 2012 as a restaurant visionary. He has largely been self-employed his entire life, loving the challenge of taking ideas out of thin air and turning them into tangible, profitable realizations. He is a graduate and former graduate school student of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Since making the USVI his home, he has opened 5 successful businesses in a short four years, continually reinvesting in Christiansted and the USVI effectively helping pull up the town by reinvigorating interest in Christiansted during an economically gloomy period of time. In 2015, the community honored him through the Chamber of Commerce awarding him "Business Man of the Year.” The same year he received the U.S. Congressional Award for contributions to community and betterment of society for his achievements and helping the community of St. Croix.
His commitment to better the global community through his work with breadfruit and the breadfruit community resulted in being honored at the Global Breadfruit Summit in Hawaii in both 2018 and 2022 for contributions to the community and innovation. Mutiny Island Vodka also received an endorsement from a charity, Trees That Feed Foundation for using breadfruit as a substrate incentivizing the planting of breadfruit trees.
When he has free time, he can be found with his wife from Dominica, playing guitar, scuba diving, or on a beach! Todd works approximately 70-80 hours per week in his roles with Mutiny Island Vodka and approximately 1/2 hour per week as a founding Member of Smorrebrod, LLC.
Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/todd.manley.182
Instagram Handle: @cheftoddmutiny
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