"If Haiti could turn trash into money, that would be good."

That was on Ian Rosenberger’s mind as he penned his first journal entry in Haiti. Following the earthquake, Ian, a Pittsburgh photographer and videographer came to the area to document the tragedy and destruction to create awareness.

Ian forged deep relationships with locals, going as far as to bring a young boy named Tassy back with him to the states for life-saving surgery. After returning the boy to his home, he realized that that wasn’t enough, going on to found Team Tassy, then Thread, a company that creates products from trash—and therefore jobs—for Haitians.

How does a photographer start a business formed around recycling trash to create jobs? Watch his talk.