Stepping outside synthetic wear
Cristina Marcalow moved into the Venture Center this fall to create upcycled cashmere neck warmers business Anu. We spoke to her about what it means to build a business with a sustainable foundation, how she sources knitwear, and the performance and look of the product.
What brought you to this business idea? Were you focused on the sustainable part from the start? Is that the driving force?
I started Anu out of a desire to build a business I truly believed in—one that could have a clear, positive impact on both customers and the broader economy. Both of my parents died young of cancer, which led me to think deeply about the toxins we’re all exposed to through modern American lifestyles, and about small but meaningful ways we can reduce that exposure. At the same time, I was thinking about my two young children and what it means to help build a more honest, ethical world for them to grow into.
I explored a wide range of ideas before landing here, but my heart kept returning to natural fibers and the outdoors industry. I’m an outdoor athlete myself, so it’s a world I feel both at home in and responsible for. Materials like cashmere and wool are naturally high-performance in winter conditions, yet the outdoor industry has become deeply dependent on synthetic fibers—many of which are treated with PFAS “forever chemicals.” Even recycled synthetics, often marketed as sustainable, shed microplastics into waterways and our bodies at alarming rates.
The garment industry is also a source of immense global harm, with opaque supply chains, unsafe working conditions, and enormous waste. When I found a reliable source of recycled cashmere, the path forward felt clear: we can reduce reliance on petrochemicals and create beautiful, functional outdoor gear using natural fibers that already exist. Sustainability isn’t a marketing angle for Anu—it’s the foundation. Upcycled natural fibers reduce waste, limit exposure to harmful chemicals, and offer a real alternative to plastic-based performance wear.
Humans have been reaching mountaintops and surviving extreme conditions in natural fibers for millennia. People were doing incredibly hard, daring things in brutal environments long before plastic garments existed. I have a rebellious streak, and I love questioning the modern assumption that performance requires synthetics. This work feels like the good trouble I’m meant to get up to in this life.
How have the first months been?
The early months have been exciting and intense in all the best ways. I’ve been focused on dialing in production and building systems that can eventually scale while still honoring the material-first nature of upcycling. Upcycling presents real challenges—the material must go through significant processing just to reach the equivalent of a virgin bolt of fabric. It’s felt important from the start to build systems that allow upcycling to function at scale, not just as a boutique or artisanal practice.
Making the first sales this winter and seeing such positive customer reactions has been incredibly affirming. There’s something deeply grounding about watching an idea move from concept to something people are genuinely excited to use.
Where do you get your raw materials? Tell me about sourcing the cashmere.
I work with a textile recycling company a few hours away that processes a massive volume of discarded clothing every day and redistributes it into a plethora of recycling channels. From them, I’m able to purchase 100% cashmere in bulk. This material would otherwise enter a much more carbon-intensive recycling stream, often involving overseas shipping and heavy industrial processing before being turned back into new cashmere garments.
By keeping the cashmere regional and avoiding additional industrial steps, we’re able to reduce environmental impact while creating something of real value. In many ways, this is a more sustainable future for the material than what it was originally destined for.
Can you talk about owning a business as a parent—the joys and challenges?
Starting this business alongside raising my children has been both deeply challenging and deeply meaningful. One of the joys is flexibility—I’m able to spend more time with my kids than I did when working full-time in a large corporate environment. At the same time, entrepreneurship requires discipline. I try to draw clear boundaries: when I’m working, I work hard; when I’m with my kids, I aim to be fully present.
The world feels uncertain right now, and that uncertainty has sharpened my sense of purpose. It feels important to show my children that it’s possible to step away from a more secure path and build something aligned with your values. Working on Anu feels like a quiet act of hope—an intentional choice to focus on what I can control and contribute, rather than collapsing into despair about the scale of the problems we face.
Tell me about the finished product. What can shoppers expect?
The first thing most people notice is how incredibly soft the neck warmers are. They’re warm, breathable, and feel wonderful against the skin. Each piece is uniquely designed, so no two are ever the same—customers often connect immediately with a particular colorway or pattern.
In terms of performance, cashmere excels in winter conditions. It provides excellent warmth, manages moisture well, and remains comfortable even in harsh weather. They work great in harsh mountain elements and will also help you just get out the front door on those blistering cold days when it is hard to even step outside to walk the dog.
Where can people buy Anu neck warmers? Are you looking to expand?
Anu neck warmers are available on our website at www.made-anu.com, as well as in select ski shops in Vermont. My target customers are outdoor athletes who care deeply about performance and sustainability, and I hope to expand thoughtfully into other regions with strong winter outdoor communities.
I’m very intentional about staying focused on the outdoors industry. Hand-sewn natural fiber garments can easily be placed in artisanal or luxury corners of the market, but Anu sits firmly in the performance outdoor space. My goal is to bring more natural fibers to mountain tops and, however modestly, help shift the industry away from petrochemical dependence.
How has it been renting space at the Franklin County CDC’s Venture Center?
The Venture Center has been a phenomenal place to grow Anu. It feels like stepping into a community where people genuinely support one another. The energy in the building is positive and focused, and it’s been an incredible environment to show up consistently and do the work of building something from the ground up.
You’re also an alum of the Entrepreneurship Accelerator. What did you take away from that experience?
The Entrepreneurship Accelerator is a valuable resource for anyone exploring the idea of starting a business. The curriculum covers many of the practical realities entrepreneurs need to consider early on. The CDC is an incredible resource for practical resources, business guidance, and not least important: encouragement! For me, one of the most meaningful aspects was connecting with other participants. Starting a business can be a lonely path, and having a cohort of people navigating similar challenges was both grounding and energizing.
