FAIR Talks Podcast

How Beautyologie Is Building a Different Kind of Beauty Shop | Beautyologie

WOO-hoo! We’ve got an exciting episode today - Elisha is chatting with Robin Tolkan-Doyle, founder of fair trade beauty marketplace, Beautyologie. Robin shares her journey from beauty journalism and public relations to starting an online marketplace as a hub for inspiration and knowledge for fair trade in the beauty industry. She highlights her new product line, World of Oil (WOO), created as a streamlined skincare option shedding light on each product’s origins and makers. Robin also offers insider tips on decoding labels and ingredient lists, and how to choose products best aligned with your values. Finally, she names her beauty faves and go-to products, and proves beauty is not only skin deep, but a holistic way of caring for people and planet through our products.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.

Changing The World One Gift At A Time | Gifts For Good

In this episode, Elisha chats with Laura Hertz, Co-Founder & CEO of Gifts For Good, a company on a mission to reinvent the $100 billion corporate gifting industry. From working with over 80 nonprofits and social enterprises to creating a new software called GIFTforward to minimize waste, they are transforming the industry and the world for the better. They discuss how a line item in a corporate budget can be redirected to change people’s lives. Laura shares her experience on how to help large companies connect the dots to make the shift from giving cheap swag to quality meaningful gifts. She also gives insights and strategies on how small businesses can become more accessible to these companies. Perhaps the key to making a greater impact is not to work alone, but to work together. Listen in to learn more!
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.

Sole Purpose: Fair Trade, Financial Freedom, and the Future of Haiti | Deux Mains

In this episode, Elisha chats with Julie Colombino-Billingham, Founder & CEO of Deux Mains. They dive into the contrasting dynamics of nonprofits versus social enterprises and how each strives to create lasting change. Julie shares insights into the unique challenges of running a fair-trade business, such as competing against large companies with misleading "sustainable" claims and overcoming Haiti's high import dependence. She explains Rebuild Globally's model in Haiti, which provides jobs, scholarships, and financial stability for graduates, empowering them to become future leaders. They also explore the impact of fair-trade partnerships and the potential for larger brands to step up and help create sustainable economic growth in developing nations. Could big-name brands be the missing piece to long-term social change? Listen in to find out!
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.

Lather, Rinse, Regenerate: Dr. Bronner’s Journey to Fair Trade and Farmer Well-being

The doctor is in! Join Elisha for this insightful conversation with Ryan Zinn, Regenerative Projects Manager at Dr. Bronner’s. He discusses the company’s pioneering efforts in the early days of the business to ensure their products cared for people and the planet, and shares what he’s learned helping farmers incorporate fair trade and organic practices into their agricultural rhythms. Ryan also shares why the company chose Fair for Life certification and discusses the importance of regenerative agriculture for their farmer partners in addressing both the climate crisis and fair labor practices. Finally, he and Elisha consider how the fair trade approach stabilizes farmer incomes, particularly in light of changing market demands.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.

How to Build a Resilient Purpose-Driven Company: Making Real Freedom | MadeFree

Join Elisha for a conversation with Brad Jeffrey, the co-founder of MadeFree, an ethical fashion accessories brand working to end human trafficking. Brad discusses his pivotal experience meeting young women in difficult circumstances in Africa and Southeast Asia, which ignited his passion for addressing global issues like poverty and slavery through sustainable solutions. He notes that consumer behavior is increasingly driven by a desire to buy products that make a difference, but he criticizes handout models for not addressing root causes. Finally, Brad stresses the importance of collaboration and flexibility in manufacturing to meet both mission-driven and design goals, and focusing on energy-producing activities to make fair trade business sustainable.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.

A Way Out of No Way: Honoring World Refugee Day with Winston Bui

Join Elisha for a special episode of the podcast in honor of World Refugee Day, featuring Winston Bui, a refugee of the Vietnam War. Winston recounts his family's harrowing escape from Vietnam during the fall of Saigon in 1975, highlighting their dangerous journey amidst bombings and chaos. They eventually made it to America, where a generous couple in Oklahoma helped them resettle, securing housing and jobs for his parents. Despite the initial hardships, Winston and his brothers adapted by taking on odd jobs and learning English through television, leading to their eventual success. Returning to Vietnam years later, Winston experiences profound emotions witnessing the country's transformation and contributing to its development. His story underscores the resilience and tenacity of refugees, urging others to embrace courage and hope amidst challenges.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.

Socks That Last: How to Build a Business That Stands the Test of Time | Maggie's Organics

Ever wonder what are the keys to building a business (or socks) that lasts? In this episode, Amie Farkas, Head of Supply Chain & Products from Maggie’s Organics shares with Elisha about their 30-year journey of setting the highest standards as a fair trade and organic apparel company. From moving cotton production across continents due to climate change to welcoming 3rd party certifier audits, this conversation gives important principles to creating longevity and sustainability in business. Finally, the industry has much to learn about its latest transition to employee ownership to ensure a good company can stand the test of time.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.

Building Hope: How a Direct, Fair Trade Model Fosters Mutual Flourishing | Trades of Hope

Trade in your cynicism for some hope in this heartwarming conversation with Gretchen Huijskens, founder and CEO of Trades of Hope. She shares with Elisha her journey transitioning Trades of Hope from a charity to a direct sales model and how that benefits both the artisans and the sellers. Gretchen highlights her hopes for her new book and how she hopes Trades of Hope will expand in the future. Finally, they both share about how their work in Haiti and the importance of long-term economic solutions to grow a brighter future.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.

Choosing Fair Trade is a Shoe-in! | The Root Collective

Put on your dancing shoes–we’ve got a special treat for you today! Bethany Tran of the Root Collective walks us through the process of making fair trade shoes, from how the soles are developed to sourcing their materials. She also shares why the company made the switch to pre-orders for their shoes and how they incorporated pre-loved shoes into their overall business model. Finally, Bethany and Elisha highlight challenges facing small fair trade brands in a tough economy and share practical ways customers can support their favorite companies.  
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.

Making Tea Time Fair Trade: Working with Small-Holder Farmers for Better Tea and a Better World | JusTea

Calling all tea-lovers! We’ve got a flavor-packed episode for you today. Elisha is joined by Paul Bain, founder and CEO of JusTea, to talk about their fair trade partnerships with small-holder Kenyan tea farmers. Paul describes how they were able to set up tea cottages after working to enact legislative change in Kenya and why they’ve worked with women’s cooperatives right from the start of the business. He also shares a surprising fact about where tea comes from and why purple tea is so rare. Finally, Paul talks about why getting JusTea fair-trade certified was so important to the foundation of their business.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.