How Making a Purchase Makes a Difference
In a world where fast fashion (and fast everything, really) rules the day, it’s more important than ever that we stop and consider the impact of where we spend our money. So often, behind a “good deal” is something that is anything but good; often laborers are being mistreated, overworked, and severely underpaid. It’s this very treatment and lack of pay that allows the product to be offered at such a low price to consumers like you and me. It’s entirely innocent to want a bargain - and I am the first to admit that I love a good deal - but with the information that is now available to us about inhumane working conditions, should we seek to spend less, knowing the cost?
On the other hand, when a company commits to ethical employment standards, the prices of their goods often increase, but so does the quality of life for their employees and their families. One of the things we’ve learned on this journey is that there are companies that have made it their mission to not only produce wonderful products, but to care for their employees and their families well. Paying a living wage, providing a safe working environment, and establishing reasonable hours allows mothers and fathers to provide for their families without risking their own safety or separation from their home. This keeps families together. It prevents human trafficking. It reduces the likelihood of malnutrition, child labor, and prostitution.
So if for any reason, you think you can’t make a difference in the world, I hope you realize you absolutely can. You can support companies that have committed to treat their employees with dignity and compassion. In doing so, you can help a father or a mother put food on their table or pay for their children to go to school. And you can make it possible for a child to get to be a child - and not a laborer. If you think the research required to find these companies sounds daunting, we totally understand; it can be difficult to sift through all of the options! So we’ve done it for you, and we have curated a wonderful collection of goods that come from companies like I just described. Many of them have positioned themselves in areas where this kind of employment is extremely rare - and they are bringing hope to these communities every time they hire an employee. The more we support them, the more they will need to add to their staff. See? You are making an impact just by being intentional about where you shop. In other words, every time you make a purchase with us, you are making a difference!
We’d love to tell you more about the companies we’ve chosen for their commitment to ethical employment. Please feel free to ask us anytime!
