We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lina Konciute. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lina below.

Lina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

One of the most powerful trends I’ve noticed is a deeper shift toward slower, more intentional living. It’s not just about sustainability as a checkbox – it’s about people genuinely wanting to step off the hamster wheel of fast everything: fast fashion, fast food, fast content, fast consumption.

I remember chatting with someone in our community who said, “I’m exhausted by constantly feeling like I need to keep up – I just want to live a life that feels more aligned, more thoughtful.” That really hit me, because it’s exactly the emotional undercurrent behind this movement. People are craving meaning, not just minimalism.

But the challenge is – where do you start? The overwhelm is real. That’s one of the reasons we created Thrive Century – to be a calming, curated space for people who want to live better, but don’t want to be bombarded or guilted into change. It’s about providing thoughtful alternatives and real stories that inspire progress, not perfection.

The opportunity here is huge — for brands that slow down, prioritise quality, and lead with purpose. But the concern is that if we’re not careful, even “slow living” can be commodified. So as a platform, we feel a responsibility to keep things real – by highlighting brands and people who are walking the talk, not just using the language.

At its best, this trend isn’t just about what we buy – it’s about how we think, how we consume, how we connect. And that’s where I believe the future is headed.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Thrive Century was born from a very personal place – a quiet but growing realisation that the way we’re living today isn’t sustainable, fulfilling, or even particularly healthy. Like so many people, I found myself craving something different: more intention, more connection, more alignment between how I live and what I believe in.

But every time I tried to “do better” – whether it was shopping more ethically, eating more mindfully, or trying to reduce my environmental impact – I felt overwhelmed. There was no clear starting point, and I realised I wasn’t alone in feeling that way. That’s where the idea for Thrive Century began.

I wanted to build a platform that wasn’t just another cold, static directory of sustainable products, but something much more human – a curated, community-focused space where people could discover ethical brands, conscious travel destinations, wellness tools, and meaningful stories that inspire change without judgment. A place that makes conscious living feel exciting, empowering, and approachable.

Thrive Century now brings together a global community of people who care – about themselves, each other, and the planet. Through The Green List, we spotlight brands and businesses that are committed to people and planet. Through Thrive Journal, we publish original editorial content on sustainability, wellness, and mindful living. And through our growing community, we amplify voices, share stories, and offer tools that help people align their lifestyles with their values.

What sets us apart is our integrity and our curation. We don’t run ads. We don’t list just any brand. We only feature those who are doing the work – whether they’re a small family-run business or a mission-led hotel. Every feature is intentional, every recommendation considered.

I’m proud of what we’re building, but more than that — I’m proud of the people we’re building it with. Our partners, our audience, our contributors – they’re all part of a much bigger shift toward something better.

For anyone discovering Thrive Century for the first time, I hope they find it to be a space that feels thoughtful, honest, and quietly inspiring – a place that helps them take that next step, whatever their conscious living journey looks like.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think what’s helped build Thrive Century’s reputation – especially in such a crowded and often noisy space – is consistency, clarity, and curation. From day one, I was clear that this wouldn’t be just another directory or media site. It had to feel intentional. Trustworthy. Human.

We don’t chase trends or flood the platform with every brand claiming to be sustainable. We take the time to research, speak with founders, and understand the why behind a business – and I think that care comes through. Brands and readers alike can feel that we’re not just filling space – we’re creating something meaningful.

Another thing that’s helped is showing up with a real voice. So much of the sustainability world can feel preachy or overwhelming. But our tone has always been more grounded and inclusive – “Here’s something better, if you’re ready for it,” rather than “You’re doing it wrong.” That kind of approach builds trust.

Lastly, reputation grows through relationships. Whether it’s our readers, partners, or brand founders – we treat everyone with respect, and we genuinely want to see them thrive. That’s what this platform was built for.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was that there’s a “right” way to build a business.

When I started Thrive Century, I kept comparing myself to more traditional startups – watching how fast others were scaling, how polished everything looked, and how clear their paths seemed from the outside. I felt like I was building differently, and part of me wondered if I was doing it “wrong.”

But what I’ve learned is that when you’re creating something that doesn’t quite fit into a typical category — a platform that’s part directory, part editorial, part community – there isn’t a blueprint. You have to be okay with carving your own way forward, even when it’s slower or less linear.

Over time, I stopped trying to mimic what others were doing and started trusting what felt right for this audience, this mission, this platform. That’s when Thrive Century began to feel not just like a project, but a movement – something real and grounded and human.

The lesson? There’s power in doing it differently. Just because your path is unconventional doesn’t mean it’s not leading somewhere meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thrivecentury.com
• Instagram: @thrivecentury