Environmental Living Industries was born from a deeply personal journey—one that revealed how the materials inside our homes can profoundly affect the health and safety of the families who live in them.

In 2015, co-founder Bryan Wilson and his wife were expecting their first child when she began experiencing severe, undiagnosed autoimmune symptoms. Weeks before their due date, their son Eli passed away. Searching for answers, the Wilsons consulted specialists until a physician urged them to test their home for environmental hazards. The results were devastating: toxic mold had infiltrated their home, driving both the illness and the tragedy they had endured.

Determined that no family should suffer from the hidden dangers within their walls, Bryan began researching healthier, more resilient building materials. His search led him to industrial hemp—an alternative with natural mold resistance, improved airflow characteristics, and meaningful environmental benefits. What began as a search for understanding became a mission to champion cleaner, safer, and smarter materials for modern living.

This mission brought Bryan together with Thomas Hoffman and Kyle Huttenlocker. United by a shared belief in the potential of natural fibers to improve how we build and live, the three founded Environmental Living Industries—named in honor of Eli and serving as a constant reminder of the purpose behind the work.

Today, the Wilson family lives in Buena Vista, GA with two healthy children. And ELI continues forward under the leadership of Bryan, Thomas, and Kyle—driven by a commitment to create cleaner environments, strengthen supply chains, and advance natural materials that support healthier homes and a healthier world.