Impactful Pillars of Support: A Holistic Approach to Empowerment
At the heart of I Thought of You's mission are support pillars that form the foundation for positive change:
1. Fair Wages: I Thought of You is unwavering in its commitment to fair wages. Collaborating closely with artisans, the brand ensures that every piece crafted is a testament to the time, skill, and effort invested by these talented individuals. By advocating for fair wages, Mandy fosters economic empowerment and gender equity in communities where such principles are often not considered.
2. Access to Services: Recognizing the challenges faced by artisans living in resource-constrained communities, I Thought of You extends its support beyond wages. This brand understands that a steady job is a gateway to essential services such as education, training, and healthcare. Through these initiatives, I Thought of You contributes to the creation of resilient communities, enabling artisans to achieve their aspirations.
3. Preserving Traditional Craftsmanship: I Thought of You cherishes the cultural richness embedded in traditional practices. Purchases from the brand not only support artisans but also contribute to the preservation of age-old crafting techniques passed down through generations. This commitment to tradition promotes cultural diversity and sustains the legacy of these invaluable skills.
4. Building Community: Strong, supportive communities are essential for women's empowerment and economic development. I Thought of You goes beyond being a brand—it’s a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to positive change. By shopping small, customers become part of this community, contributing to a collective effort for global transformation.
The Goal: Building Dreams Through Sustainable Employment
I Thought of You envisions a world where sustainable employment empowers artisans with brighter futures. Through consistent income, these artisans can provide for their families, send their children to school, and contribute to the creation of thriving communities. Together, Mandy and her team at I Thought of You are crafting a world where dreams can flourish for artisans around the globe.
Facing the Challenges: Navigating the Current Landscape
Despite the brand's commendable achievements, I Thought of You, like many small businesses, has not been immune to the challenges of the current landscape. The complexities of slowing retail sales, supply chain disruptions, soaring shipping costs, and resource limitations pose significant obstacles. However, the most pressing challenge lies in the potential repercussions for artisans when businesses are unable to meet their financial commitments.
Mandy shares a harrowing realization—that fellow brands with similar missions have faced insurmountable challenges, leading to the risk of devastating consequences for the artisans they collaborate with. Small businesses, particularly those with strong social missions, find themselves caught in a precarious position where financial strain could reverberate across the globe, affecting the lives of makers in unforeseen ways.
Stepping In: I Thought of You's Compassionate Response
In the face of this crisis, Mandy and the I Thought of You team exemplify their commitment to ethical business practices. Despite not budgeting for unexpected challenges, in late 2022 the brand made a conscious decision to step in and purchase the inventory from struggling brands. Integrating these pieces into upcoming launches, I Thought of You ensures that hardworking individuals, now part of their extended family of makers, are not left without support.
This compassionate response extends beyond business transactions—it reflects a broader commitment to the Fair Trade community and the shared responsibility to uplift those who contribute to the beauty of handcrafted products.
Crafting a Future of Hope and Empowerment
I Thought of You is more than a brand; it is a force for good in the world. Mandy Nagel's unwavering commitment to transforming lives through Fair Trade practices has created a movement that extends far beyond the purchase of handcrafted accessories. It is a movement fueled by compassion, sustainability, and the belief that every purchase holds the power to build dreams.
In a landscape fraught with challenges, I Thought of You stands as a testament to the resilience of brands with a social mission.
We've got a heartwarming tale to share—one that beautifully illustrates how your support for I Thought of You is creating waves of positive change, starting with our incredible mama makers. Grab a cup of something warm, because you're about to embark on a journey that will touch your heart and inspire your soul.
Meet Sofia, a talented artisan from a small village in Peru 🌍🌱 She's a part of our extended family, handcrafting the most exquisite pieces that you love. With your support, Sofia now has a steady income that's allowing her to provide her children with healthy meals and a bright future filled with education. Every piece she creates tells a story, and it's your love for these pieces that makes her dreams come true.
But the magic doesn't stop there… Sofia's newfound financial stability has a ripple effect that reaches far beyond her immediate family. In her village, where opportunities are scarce, her success shines like a guiding light. Her steady job is inspiring others to believe in their potential too ✨🌈
By choosing Fair Trade and sustainable fashion, you're not only adding unique beauty to your life but also igniting hope in communities around the world. It's like dropping a pebble into a pond—the ripples of your kindness expand, touching lives you might never meet, but who feel the warmth of your compassion.
As we continue to grow and create, we're excited to share more stories like Sofia's. Your choice to shop small and embrace sustainable fashion isn't just about the clothes and accessories you wear; it's about the lives you touch, the dreams you empower, and the change you champion.
Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey. We're all in this together, creating a world that's fairer, kinder, and more beautiful—one stitch, one smile, one choice at a time.
With endless gratitude and hope,
Mandy + the whole I Thought of You team
P.S. Stay tuned for more stories of transformation and positivity, and remember that your choices matter more than you could ever imagine 💫🌟
Unveiling Nature's Beauty
Picture this: sunglasses made from real wood sourced from sustainable forests. Each pair carries its own unique story, with grain patterns and textures that make it truly one-of-a-kind. From the warm embrace of walnut to the rich allure of ebony, our sunglasses beautifully capture the essence of nature's beauty.
Protecting Your Vision
We've got your back (or rather, your eyes!) when it comes to protection. Our sunglasses offer the highest level of UV protection, so you can soak up the sun without any worries. Our lenses meet stringent quality standards, ensuring that your eyes stay shielded from harmful rays while you're out there conquering the world.
Comfort for All-Day Wear
We know how important it is for sunglasses to be comfortable for those long summer days. That's why we've poured our heart and soul into crafting frames that not only look fabulous but also feel amazing on your face. Our lightweight and balanced designs provide a secure fit, letting you focus on enjoying every moment with ease.
Artistry in Detail
Prepare to be amazed by the intricate designs carved into the wooden arms of our sunglasses. From delicate motifs to bold patterns, these artistic details elevate your eyewear game to a whole new level. Each carving is a testament to the incredible skill and creativity of the talented artisans who bring our designs to life.
Global Collaboration
Now, let's address the elephant in the room: Fair Trade items made in China. We believe in giving artisans from all around the world an opportunity to uphold our shared Fair Trade values. Throughout our journey, we've had the privilege of collaborating with artisan groups in so many countries, China included. We were blown away by the quality, craftsmanship, creativity, and workshops we encountered on our visits, ensuring ethical practices, fair wages, and safe working conditions.
Although these makers met each and every one of our strict standards, adding a group in China still gave us pause. We had to stop and ask ourselves, "why" though. When we realized our own biases were the reason though, the choice became clear. Every individual, no matter in which country the live, deserves the chance to work in a safe environment, with safe materials, and earn a fair wage. In fact, many of the larger Fair Trade brands already work in China but label the country of origin "East Asia," and as part of our transparency value we wanted to share the story and paint the full picture so our customers always know what they're buying, who they're supporting, and what good they bring into the world with every purchase.
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By choosing our handmade sunglasses, and all of our handcrafted pieces, you're not just embracing your personal style but also contributing to a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry. Join us in celebrating the fusion of artistry, Fair Trade values, and eco-consciousness. Explore our collection and discover sunglasses that not only protect your eyes but also reflect your values – because being stylish and ethical is a winning combination!
]]>This isn’t a cry for pity or help, but would you keep us in your kind thoughts this season and into the holidays? Our hearts are in this for you, for our makers, for our affiliates, and we want to make an impact on everyone who crosses our path. Some days that’s easy, others it’s not. This year has (frankly) kicked our butts.
Nothing about this year has been normal. 12 months ago we thought everything would be back to life as we knew it, oh how wrong we were. Our customers continue to treat our team with grace, and we thank you so deeply for that. Please try to extend that grace to others you work with whether at a small business, a restaurant, a customer service agent on the phone, a nurse—they’re all trying their best, many times with cards stacked against them.
And if there’s something we can keep you in our thoughts about, please leave it in a comment in our Eco + Empowered Facebook Group. There’s never been a more crucial time to band together and lift each other.
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Staying north of the equator
Costa Rica is a beautiful country rich in beautiful coastlines where you can stay with local families, volunteer with children, work on an agriculture conservation, and even volunteer to do light construction work to build community structures. In your downtime you can enjoy the delicious local cuisine (their national dish is a colorful stir-fried meal of rice and beans), play in the surf, and visit the cloud forests of Monteverde.
Heading to South America
Ecuador is nestled high in the Andes mountains, and its capital city of Quito is surrounded by a mix of rural and urban areas. Your time can be volunteered to assist with light construction and structure development within the city or with projects to support street children communities. While you’re here, be sure to explore the Galapagos Islands, historical colonial towns, and vibrant street markets.
Traveling farther
Zambia, located in southern Africa, boasts rugged terrain, diverse wildlife, parks, and safaris. Travelers can dedicate their time to working at a wildlife conservation, private game reserve research, teaching, child- and elderly care, medical needs, and activities in community centers. You’ll quickly integrate with the relaxed, local way of life during the day, and can enjoy weekend activities like sunset cruises and visiting the world wonder of Victoria Falls.
Is your wanderlust calling you somewhere else? You can give back at nearly any destination imaginable. Have you considered:
We’re optimistic about the future and hope to continue to see these issues diminish until they are no longer a concern. Consumers are more educated now than ever before and are voting with their wallets to send a message about how they feel. Big brands are no longer able to ignore these strong customer preferences and have begun taking small steps to create fashionable looks with more sustainable materials and to move away from forced labor.
It’s hard to talk about—almost impossible really. But your heart would break if you saw little girls as young as five hauling materials around construction sites. We could tell you stories for hours, but what we want you to know instead is how much fiery passion we have about letting kids be kids. It’s the very reason we hire talented women and pay them wages they can comfortably support their families with. No child should miss out on those beautiful years.
There’s still a long way to go to stand up for the rights of every fashion worker. Now that consumers have the power to discuss concerns with brands on social media, we encourage you to play a part in creating change. Ask the hard questions to brands you currently shop with. If you don’t receive an answer (or if you don’t like the answer you do get), look elsewhere and find alternative brands whose values are in alignment with yours.
Women have the power to build up each other, even those in far away countries we’ve not had the privilege to meet. By supporting brands that stand for human rights, you’re helping our team ensure that kids can be kids, and hardworking, talented women are safe and paid living wages.
Determination—you have to be willing to put your whole heart and soul into it because if you don’t, someone else will. It will take long hours to accomplish something worthwhile. The hours will pass anyways. Never stop challenging yourself.
Grace—understand that there will be bumps in the road and that these are temporary. Success is not a linear path and some problems are wholly outside of your control.
Flexibility—if something isn’t working, don’t let your ego get in the way to avoid fixing it. Take control of a problem by understanding it, exploring solutions, and acting upon it in a timely manner.
Confidence—stand tall in the marketplace (both literally and figuratively). Put your whole heart behind your products and your mission, people are attracted to those who believe in themselves. And even if you have to put on a brave face and fake your confidence at the beginning, I promise it will eventually catch up and join you.
In 2021 and beyond we think the bigger brands take note of the importance of equality in representation.
]]>Finding our voice to stand out among other brands was important to us. If we had the ability to snap our fingers and begin anew with what we’ve learned, we’d put a much bigger emphasis on telling the story of our artisans. Our customers have told us that knowing the tiny details makes a big difference and helps them feel a connection to our artisan partners. In the past few years, we’ve dedicated our communications to share the stories we hear firsthand on our artisan visits and to bring them to our followers through the use of beautiful photography and video.
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