You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.
-Indira Ghandi
I came across this quote by Indira Ghandi and stopped to think how really true this statement is. I've heard it before and each time I just think what power each of us has to turn a clenched fist, jaw, body, whatever, and reach out to someone with an open hand instead. I know it's easier said that done but even if we stopped for a moment and took a few deep breaths, can it really help diffuse a situation?
Our partners, both locally and internationally, are an amazing bunch who have overcome many odds. Rather than turning their backs to the injustices they've been dealt, they've tried to make things better. Often, they really didn't have a choice to even turn their backs - they had a family to feed, clothe and shelter. But despite all of their hardships, they've learned a way to use their skills to make beautiful pieces and, through the process, found dignity and a voice.
I'm delighted to help facilitate making their work and sharing their dreams with you through www.World-Shoppe.com. Being an artist, anywhere in the world, is truly a passion. Being an artist in a developing country has a whole different set of challenges since, often, the only raw material you have from which to work comes from nature or something has to be re-used. While this makes a nice little entree into the fashionable "eco-friendly" movement we're experiencing, it's a matter of survival at a different level for our artisans.
New shipments are arriving daily now as we get into heavy holiday mode. We're unpacking, shooting images, writing our product descriptions and finalizing some holiday events we'll be at this season. We can't wait to share the products and the stories with you. Please bookmark www.World-Shoppe.com and visit often! We're delighted you're on this journey with us and look forward to bringing you items that are not only good for our artisans, but the planet, too.
-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Monday, September 15, 2008
Monday, September 08, 2008
Selling More, or Selling Out?
Starting a company like http://www.world-shoppe.com/ has been something I've wanted to do since I was little - I just didn't know it was going to look like this e-boutique. The goal was to start a business helping others, especially women, who may not have the opportunities to excel whether that's because of their society, polical climate, religious beliefs, or whatever. Because, I felt, if women could "work" outside the home and make money, their "worth" is looked upon differently because of the way they contribute to their family and community. They also gain a kind of voice that isn't always available to women.
http://www.world-shoppe.com/ was launched to help given women a voice by purchasing products from them - and paying them a fair wage for their work. Sometimes sales aren't stellar and other times they are great. But each day we plug away because we know that each sale does make a difference to that family - women, men, children and entire communities.
When some companies I've long admired started, I imagined they had their own specific goals in mind. In fact, my MBA admission cover letter said that I wanted to start a company helping others, just like Anita Rodham (The Body Shop) or Jerry Greenfield and Ben Cohen (Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream). I admired companies like Tom's of Maine, Burt's Bees, and Honest Tea. Sadly, most of these companies are no longer owned or operated by those forward-thinking entrepreneurs. They've sold their companies to larger companies - and I now wonder if their original goals are still even considered.
I was having lunch with some friends when this topic came out and I was surprised at how few of them knew that these companies sold - what a brilliant marketing tactic. Why not let people, their loyal buyers, think that nothing happened? Makes sense, don't you think, especially if you have an issue supporting the "larger" company for one reason or another? So, in case you didn't know, here are some companies that have sold in recent years:
http://www.world-shoppe.com/ was launched to help given women a voice by purchasing products from them - and paying them a fair wage for their work. Sometimes sales aren't stellar and other times they are great. But each day we plug away because we know that each sale does make a difference to that family - women, men, children and entire communities.
When some companies I've long admired started, I imagined they had their own specific goals in mind. In fact, my MBA admission cover letter said that I wanted to start a company helping others, just like Anita Rodham (The Body Shop) or Jerry Greenfield and Ben Cohen (Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream). I admired companies like Tom's of Maine, Burt's Bees, and Honest Tea. Sadly, most of these companies are no longer owned or operated by those forward-thinking entrepreneurs. They've sold their companies to larger companies - and I now wonder if their original goals are still even considered.
I was having lunch with some friends when this topic came out and I was surprised at how few of them knew that these companies sold - what a brilliant marketing tactic. Why not let people, their loyal buyers, think that nothing happened? Makes sense, don't you think, especially if you have an issue supporting the "larger" company for one reason or another? So, in case you didn't know, here are some companies that have sold in recent years:
- Odwalla - Coca Cola
- Honest Tea - Coca Cola
- Rhino Records - TimeWarner
- Cascadian Farms - General Mills
- Stoneyfield Farms - Group Danone
- Tom's of Maine - Colgate
- The Body Shop - L'Oreal
- Burt's Bees - Clorox
- Ben & Jerry - Unilever
There are countless press releases that tout why the founders sold to the larger companies: it was a way to broaden the brand and the mission, create more jobs, etc. I get it. But it just makes it that much harder to "support" their original brand/company/mission when I'm not, directly, supporting another larger company's brand/company/mission through my purchasing power. And that makes me pause and, often, reach out for a new company brand whose mission still aligns with mine.
You can do the same - shop fair trade whenever possible, shop locally, shop farmers market and organic food and clothing whenever you can.
I'm not naive to think I'm going to change the world - but by golly, if I can change the world even for one person, I'll keep doing what I'm doing until I can't do it anymore.
Thanks for sticking around and reading...and supporting http://www.world-shoppe.com/ in any way you can!
Warmly,
-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Thursday, September 04, 2008
www.World-Shoppe.com Web site Refresh on-target
Last month I posted that http://www.world-shoppe.com/ was going to get "refreshed". My goal is that after four years in business (I can't believe it's been four wonderful years!), it was time to let http://www.world-shoppe.com/ grow up from its baby stage.
When we first launched http://www.world-shoppe.com/, it was my first e-boutique venture and while I knew a bit about retail from my volunteering at various non-profit retail shops, this was a whole new ball game. To make our experience launching the site as easy as possible, my Web designers and I decided to use a Yahoo platform to make http://www.world-shoppe.com/ a reality. And while I know my Web designers were less than thrilled with the opportunity to really customize the site as I wanted it, we made it work because there were other things we needed to focus on which included getting the best selection of fair trade gifts, home accessories, kitchen accents and stationery to you (and I think we've done a pretty good job of that based on our increasing sales figures every year since we launched!).
We now have a good, solid groups of fair trade partners all over the world and we continue to source more on a regular basis while keeping our commitment true to our existing partners.
But, as we look to the horizon, we knew that we needed to make our site more effective and functional. Constructive criticism was noted (yes, we listened!) and things that we personally wanted to improve was added to our "wish list". We searched for a web designer that understood our need to be thoughtful to the mission of fair trade while still giving us some wonderful concepts from which to choose.
Well, today we received our first phase mocks up since our site map was approved - and I'm thrilled. While we still need to make some minor tweaks, I'm seriously amazed at how our Web designer took our "wish list" and translated them into a true reflection of easy-to-navigate and visually appealing pages.
I wish I could post some of the pages but that would spoil the "reveal" we're planning to share in just a couple of months. So you'll have to wait and see!
In the meantime, thank you again for your support - and let us know what you think we could do better with our site. Our Blog allows comments - send them to us!
Thanks again!
-Megy Karydes, Founder
http://www.world-shoppe.com/
When we first launched http://www.world-shoppe.com/, it was my first e-boutique venture and while I knew a bit about retail from my volunteering at various non-profit retail shops, this was a whole new ball game. To make our experience launching the site as easy as possible, my Web designers and I decided to use a Yahoo platform to make http://www.world-shoppe.com/ a reality. And while I know my Web designers were less than thrilled with the opportunity to really customize the site as I wanted it, we made it work because there were other things we needed to focus on which included getting the best selection of fair trade gifts, home accessories, kitchen accents and stationery to you (and I think we've done a pretty good job of that based on our increasing sales figures every year since we launched!).
We now have a good, solid groups of fair trade partners all over the world and we continue to source more on a regular basis while keeping our commitment true to our existing partners.
But, as we look to the horizon, we knew that we needed to make our site more effective and functional. Constructive criticism was noted (yes, we listened!) and things that we personally wanted to improve was added to our "wish list". We searched for a web designer that understood our need to be thoughtful to the mission of fair trade while still giving us some wonderful concepts from which to choose.
Well, today we received our first phase mocks up since our site map was approved - and I'm thrilled. While we still need to make some minor tweaks, I'm seriously amazed at how our Web designer took our "wish list" and translated them into a true reflection of easy-to-navigate and visually appealing pages.
I wish I could post some of the pages but that would spoil the "reveal" we're planning to share in just a couple of months. So you'll have to wait and see!
In the meantime, thank you again for your support - and let us know what you think we could do better with our site. Our Blog allows comments - send them to us!
Thanks again!
-Megy Karydes, Founder
http://www.world-shoppe.com/
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
www.World-Shoppe.com IN THE NEWS
www.World-Shoppe.com has been featured in not one but TWO national magazines this month - Every Day with Rachael Ray and Family Circle! We are so excited and we've been busy shipping out baby tagine sets and recycled glass beaded necklaces and earrings (since, yes, those were the items featured in the magazines respectively!).
Our Baby Tagine Salt and Pepper Wells handmade by artisans in Morocco were chosen as the very first item in Rach's FAVES feature - and, of course, in Rachael's favorite color - orange! http://www.world-shoppe.com/kitchen/k07.htm
Family Circle chose our Tiara Recycled Glass Beaded Necklace handmade by a women's cooperative in Ghana: http://www.world-shoppe.com/womenaccessories/wa12.htm.
We're always appreciative whenever we receive any editorial coverage because not only does that allow us to share the story of fair trade and our artisans, but it allows us to sell more of their items which translates into more work and opportunities for our artisan partners. What a win-win-win for everyone!
Thanks so much, Every Day with Rachael Ray and Family Circle and all of your fabulous readers!
Warmly,
Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Our Baby Tagine Salt and Pepper Wells handmade by artisans in Morocco were chosen as the very first item in Rach's FAVES feature - and, of course, in Rachael's favorite color - orange! http://www.world-shoppe.com/kitchen/k07.htm
Family Circle chose our Tiara Recycled Glass Beaded Necklace handmade by a women's cooperative in Ghana: http://www.world-shoppe.com/womenaccessories/wa12.htm.
We're always appreciative whenever we receive any editorial coverage because not only does that allow us to share the story of fair trade and our artisans, but it allows us to sell more of their items which translates into more work and opportunities for our artisan partners. What a win-win-win for everyone!
Thanks so much, Every Day with Rachael Ray and Family Circle and all of your fabulous readers!
Warmly,
Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
www.World-Shoppe.com On Its Way to a New Look
If you've been receiving our monthly e-newsletters you will have learned that we're in the process of "refreshing" our Web site! And we're so excited.
While you may have realized that we've been using a Yahoo platform to host www.World-Shoppe.com, we've realized that its functionality isn't doing it for us anymore. You've asked to be able to see images larger - we're doing that; you've asked for a better way to get gift certificates - we're doing that; you've asked for gift wrapping options - we're doing that, too! Honestly, I'm giddy with excitement as we're working on the new site. I feel like our "Phase I" was a great starting point and we've learned so much over the past 4 years...and now we're ready to give it the functionality you're really asking for based on the feedback we've been receiving.
We're hoping to go live over the next two month period and much of that will be dependent on how quickly we can re-shoot our product images and draft the product descriptions.
If you have any ideas on what you'd like to see with the new site, please let us know!! I know I say this over and over but it's true - we couldn't do this without you and your feedback is important!
I just approved the first rendition of the architecture site today and I'll be seeing the next phase Friday morning. After that I'll be reviewing the home page and a sample product page (yippee). www.World-Shoppe.com is growing up before my very eyes. I can't wait to share the results with you.
Keep me posted if you think of anything...I'm all ears!
With warmest regards,
-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
While you may have realized that we've been using a Yahoo platform to host www.World-Shoppe.com, we've realized that its functionality isn't doing it for us anymore. You've asked to be able to see images larger - we're doing that; you've asked for a better way to get gift certificates - we're doing that; you've asked for gift wrapping options - we're doing that, too! Honestly, I'm giddy with excitement as we're working on the new site. I feel like our "Phase I" was a great starting point and we've learned so much over the past 4 years...and now we're ready to give it the functionality you're really asking for based on the feedback we've been receiving.
We're hoping to go live over the next two month period and much of that will be dependent on how quickly we can re-shoot our product images and draft the product descriptions.
If you have any ideas on what you'd like to see with the new site, please let us know!! I know I say this over and over but it's true - we couldn't do this without you and your feedback is important!
I just approved the first rendition of the architecture site today and I'll be seeing the next phase Friday morning. After that I'll be reviewing the home page and a sample product page (yippee). www.World-Shoppe.com is growing up before my very eyes. I can't wait to share the results with you.
Keep me posted if you think of anything...I'm all ears!
With warmest regards,
-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Monday, August 04, 2008
SmartHome - finally - at the Museum of Science and Industry
My family and I visited the Museum and Science and Industry this weekend and checked out the SmartHome (http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/smart-home/). Dubbed the "greenest home in Chicago," it's impressive because not only is it a beautiful home, but the materials used and the products in the home at eco-friendly in some fashion. The outdoor living spaces are wonderful and the landscape which includes a vegetable garden, is lovely for children to see and enjoy. If you've not had a chance to check out the home, I'd recommend it. It's great to see the eco-friendly options that exist for homeowners.
On another note, in our ongoing effort to teach our children where our food comes from, we're finally seeing the "fruits" of our labor these last couple of weeks. We've picked rasberries, cucumbers and some tomatoes from our backyard. Sometimes the kids plop them into their mouths before we have a chance to wash them but I love the fact that they are seeing firsthand where food comes from. They are too young to understand the significance (since they are both under the age of 4 right now) but we're hoping to build upon this experience so they'll understand what's going on as they get older.
I hope you've had a chance to enjoy some of the new items we've been introducing at www.World-Shoppe.com. The site is going to be getting an overhaul over the next couple of weeks which I'll keep everyone updated through the blog. I'm in the final stages of signing on with a web designer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and I can't wait to begin in the process. I'll write more about what you'll be able to expect in the coming days, but suffice to say the site will be improved with many more functionalities and better information!
Thank you again for your support! Until next time...
-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
On another note, in our ongoing effort to teach our children where our food comes from, we're finally seeing the "fruits" of our labor these last couple of weeks. We've picked rasberries, cucumbers and some tomatoes from our backyard. Sometimes the kids plop them into their mouths before we have a chance to wash them but I love the fact that they are seeing firsthand where food comes from. They are too young to understand the significance (since they are both under the age of 4 right now) but we're hoping to build upon this experience so they'll understand what's going on as they get older.
I hope you've had a chance to enjoy some of the new items we've been introducing at www.World-Shoppe.com. The site is going to be getting an overhaul over the next couple of weeks which I'll keep everyone updated through the blog. I'm in the final stages of signing on with a web designer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and I can't wait to begin in the process. I'll write more about what you'll be able to expect in the coming days, but suffice to say the site will be improved with many more functionalities and better information!
Thank you again for your support! Until next time...
-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Tree of Life Hanging Makes a Spectacular Statement
What a lovely way to share her piece. Do you have a beautiful story to share about your recent fair trade purchases? Share them with me! We'll post them on our blog so others can see that fair trade can benefit everyone!
If you're interested in learning more about the Tree of Life Wall Hanging, visit http://www.world-shoppe.com/shared/sh01.htm.
Until next time...
-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Trashy Totes - eco-friendly handbags from Ghana
A women's co-op in Ghana came up with an ingenious way to re-purpose the plastic bags they use to hold their drinking water - to make another sturdy and lightweight bag!
Our Trashy Totes (available at www.World-Shoppe.com) includes this fun large tote, a medium sized tote (not online yet), a messenger bag (which is online) and a wallet! Each of the bags retails for just $24.50 so you can choose the shape and style that you like best.
What a wonderful way to be enterprising, eco-friendly, fair trade and fashionable?!
-Megy Karydes, Founder
Monday, July 07, 2008
Fair Trade in the News - Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times covered fair trade in today's issue: http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1042737,CST-EDT-edit07.article. It's a wonderful article about how Chicago Fair Trade is moving to pass a resolution to make Chicago a Fair Trade City.
If you haven't read the article, I'd encourage you to check it out and comment!
Thank you to the Chicago Sun-Times for a timely and well-written piece about fair trade!
If you haven't read the article, I'd encourage you to check it out and comment!
Thank you to the Chicago Sun-Times for a timely and well-written piece about fair trade!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Rising Costs Affecting Food Banks in U.S.
Much of the work with do within the fair trade movement affects our neighbors in third world countries. There is so much extreme poverty in many countries, you want to do all you can to help support families who just need a little help to get out of the cycle of poverty.
Unfortunately, the rising costs of living in the U.S. has taken its toll on many families state-side as well. We're seeing more and more families who are showing up at their local food banks to help feed their families. And, food banks are seeing the effects of serving more residents. Fewer donors mean less dollars to non-profits; less food being donated to the food banks; more users of food banks. You do the math. It just doesn't add up.
While many of us think of food banks around the holiday times, food shortage for families is often a reality everyday. If you have a chance to donate food or money or your time to your local food bank, please do. You may never realize how much your help will mean to a family.
Thank you.
-Megy
Unfortunately, the rising costs of living in the U.S. has taken its toll on many families state-side as well. We're seeing more and more families who are showing up at their local food banks to help feed their families. And, food banks are seeing the effects of serving more residents. Fewer donors mean less dollars to non-profits; less food being donated to the food banks; more users of food banks. You do the math. It just doesn't add up.
While many of us think of food banks around the holiday times, food shortage for families is often a reality everyday. If you have a chance to donate food or money or your time to your local food bank, please do. You may never realize how much your help will mean to a family.
Thank you.
-Megy
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
GlobalFest - a celebration in Chicago
As most of you know, I'm an active board member of Chicago Fair Trade. So it's only natural that I'd be promoting our annual fundraiser this coming Saturday - yes, our Summer Soltice, too!
Come support our annual benefit event! Celebrate our Global Partnerships!
Where: Little Black Pearl 1060 E. 47th St.
When: 7pm Shop at the fair trade marketplace
8pm Musical Program
Shop for fair trade gifts during our Marketplace (beginning at 7:00 p.m.) before the musical act goes at at 8:00 p.m. Yes - http://www.world-shoppe.com/ will be there!
Music by The Hurricane Reggae Band led by Cleve "Hurricane" Jean Jacques. AND...Inti Raymi,“Festival of the Sun” , a musical group that promotes the music and culture of the Andes.
Tickets are just $25.00 in advance ($35.00 at the door) which includes tasty appetizers and a drink ticket.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.chicagofairtrade.org/. See you there!
-Megy
Friday, January 25, 2008
Free Trees and Plants - what a great way to "recycle"
This posting isn't exactly about fair trade in the strict sense, but it is about treating people fairly and being good to our earth.
Cheryl Richter began a little Web site called www.FreeTreesandPlants.com because she realized that when large catalog companies or nurseries don't sell out there trees and plants, they are destroyed. Yes, that means that healthy, live plants that could have been planted never make it in the garden or space where they can be enjoyed.
Cheryl is a gardener and horticultural photographer and felt there had to be a better way to distribute these trees and plants. She's also a strong supporter of sheltered workshops. So, she meshed her interest and passion and launched www.FreeTreesandPlants.com.
Yes, the trees and plants are free, but you do have to pay for shipping and handling which runs about $7.95 per unit. This cost covers not only the shipping but part of the "handling" which includes digging, washing, inspecting the items, size sorting, packing, labor, addressing, labeling...you get the picture.
Regardless of the nominal fee, the fact is that you'll not only receive beautiful trees and plants for your garden, but you'll be saving these trees and plants from destruction and creating work for hundreds of thousands of disabled persons.
Fall bulbs are already sold out but you can order perennials, trees and shrubs.
Visit http://www.freetreesandplants.com/index.html for more information.
Happy shopping!
Until next time, stay warm!
-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Cheryl Richter began a little Web site called www.FreeTreesandPlants.com because she realized that when large catalog companies or nurseries don't sell out there trees and plants, they are destroyed. Yes, that means that healthy, live plants that could have been planted never make it in the garden or space where they can be enjoyed.
Cheryl is a gardener and horticultural photographer and felt there had to be a better way to distribute these trees and plants. She's also a strong supporter of sheltered workshops. So, she meshed her interest and passion and launched www.FreeTreesandPlants.com.
Yes, the trees and plants are free, but you do have to pay for shipping and handling which runs about $7.95 per unit. This cost covers not only the shipping but part of the "handling" which includes digging, washing, inspecting the items, size sorting, packing, labor, addressing, labeling...you get the picture.
Regardless of the nominal fee, the fact is that you'll not only receive beautiful trees and plants for your garden, but you'll be saving these trees and plants from destruction and creating work for hundreds of thousands of disabled persons.
Fall bulbs are already sold out but you can order perennials, trees and shrubs.
Visit http://www.freetreesandplants.com/index.html for more information.
Happy shopping!
Until next time, stay warm!
-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Women of Islam - Photographs by Rania Matar
The Chicago Cultural Center hosts an exhibit of photographs by Rania Matar this month and through the end of March. I checked out the exhibit this week and found the images interesting, exciting and haunting.
Matar is a Boston-area photographer but she was born and raised in Lebanon where she repeatedly returned in pursuit of images of her war torn homeland and its people. The photos at this exhibit are all in black and white and they tell the stories largely of women in Lebanon today, with a specific focus on Muslim women and the very volatile issue of the head scarf in Islamic society.
Matar’s striking images combine an unusual skill at composition, very strong contrast in tone, and a sensitive approach to her subjects that brings their humanity into sharp focus by getting up-close, “intimate” shots.
There’s a photo called “Playing with the Doll” that really made me stop. You can see the photo on Matar’s Web site: http://www.raniamatar.com/portfolio/warAftermath/index.html. It’s the picture of a little girl playing with a little doll. The girl can’t be much older than 3 or 4 years old. A woman, perhaps her mother or someone taking care of her, sits idle along the wall – she just sits there. She sits next to this large gaping hole in their home. The hole was most likely the result of a rocket bomb. What struck me was the fact that this family just went on living - despite the fact that they had this big gaping hole in their home and a war is going on. The girl just wanted to play with her doll.
If you have a chance to check out the exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center, I highly recommend you take the time and look at the images. It definitely makes you stop and wonder what life is all about.
You can also check out the images on Matar’s Web site: http://www.raniamatar.com/.
Until next time,
Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Matar is a Boston-area photographer but she was born and raised in Lebanon where she repeatedly returned in pursuit of images of her war torn homeland and its people. The photos at this exhibit are all in black and white and they tell the stories largely of women in Lebanon today, with a specific focus on Muslim women and the very volatile issue of the head scarf in Islamic society.
Matar’s striking images combine an unusual skill at composition, very strong contrast in tone, and a sensitive approach to her subjects that brings their humanity into sharp focus by getting up-close, “intimate” shots.
There’s a photo called “Playing with the Doll” that really made me stop. You can see the photo on Matar’s Web site: http://www.raniamatar.com/portfolio/warAftermath/index.html. It’s the picture of a little girl playing with a little doll. The girl can’t be much older than 3 or 4 years old. A woman, perhaps her mother or someone taking care of her, sits idle along the wall – she just sits there. She sits next to this large gaping hole in their home. The hole was most likely the result of a rocket bomb. What struck me was the fact that this family just went on living - despite the fact that they had this big gaping hole in their home and a war is going on. The girl just wanted to play with her doll.
If you have a chance to check out the exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center, I highly recommend you take the time and look at the images. It definitely makes you stop and wonder what life is all about.
You can also check out the images on Matar’s Web site: http://www.raniamatar.com/.
Until next time,
Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Creating a World Without Poverty Is Possible
Yesterday evening I had the opportunity to attend an event hosted by the Chicago Counsel on Global Affairs. The organization invited Muhammad Yunus, winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, founder and managing director of Grameen Bank, to speak to us about what prompted him to start Grameen Bank, what his challenges were, and what he has seen happen so far.
What if you could harness the power of the free market to solve the problems of poverty, hunger, and inequality? To some, it sounds impossible. But Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus is doing exactly that. As founder of Grameen Bank, Yunus pioneered microcredit, the innovative banking program that provides poor people—mainly women—with small loans they use to launch businesses and lift their families out of poverty. In the past thirty years, microcredit has spread to every continent and benefited over 100 million families.
Now, Yunus—in partnership with some of the world’s most visionary business leaders—has launched the world’s first purposely designed social businesses. From collaborating with Danone to produce affordable, nutritious yogurt for malnourished children in Bangladesh to building eyecare hospitals that will save thousands of poor people from blindness, he offers a glimpse of the amazing future with a planet transformed by thousands of social businesses. Yunus puts forward a pioneering model for nothing less than a new, more humane form of capitalism.
What I found most interesting (and inspiring) is that most of the people who have loans from Grameen Bank are women – women who are illiterate and often have never held money in their hands before. These are the same women whose husbands have felt don’t know about money or business. These women are now starting their own businesses and paying back the loans. They are contributing to the economical development of their communities. They are an integral part of their community and seen as such – and that’s powerful.
I’m so happy Dr. Yunus was able to visit us in Chicago and share his experience. It’s exciting to see so many great things happening all over the world to help reduce global poverty – and all because he and his bank are giving tiny loans to people who need it most.
Until next time…
Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
What if you could harness the power of the free market to solve the problems of poverty, hunger, and inequality? To some, it sounds impossible. But Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus is doing exactly that. As founder of Grameen Bank, Yunus pioneered microcredit, the innovative banking program that provides poor people—mainly women—with small loans they use to launch businesses and lift their families out of poverty. In the past thirty years, microcredit has spread to every continent and benefited over 100 million families.
Now, Yunus—in partnership with some of the world’s most visionary business leaders—has launched the world’s first purposely designed social businesses. From collaborating with Danone to produce affordable, nutritious yogurt for malnourished children in Bangladesh to building eyecare hospitals that will save thousands of poor people from blindness, he offers a glimpse of the amazing future with a planet transformed by thousands of social businesses. Yunus puts forward a pioneering model for nothing less than a new, more humane form of capitalism.
What I found most interesting (and inspiring) is that most of the people who have loans from Grameen Bank are women – women who are illiterate and often have never held money in their hands before. These are the same women whose husbands have felt don’t know about money or business. These women are now starting their own businesses and paying back the loans. They are contributing to the economical development of their communities. They are an integral part of their community and seen as such – and that’s powerful.
I’m so happy Dr. Yunus was able to visit us in Chicago and share his experience. It’s exciting to see so many great things happening all over the world to help reduce global poverty – and all because he and his bank are giving tiny loans to people who need it most.
Until next time…
Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Thursday, January 17, 2008
What Counts?
I recently read a blurb in this month's Conscious Choice magazine that I wanted to share with you. The information was compiled by Jenny Rough and she sources the Potentia Foundation, International Women's Health Coalition. I thought the stats were particularly interesting and thought you might like to read them:
67% of the world's work is done by women
10% of the world's income is earned by women (Megy's note: so where does the other 57% go?)
1% of the world's property that is owned by women
15 - age by which 1 million of the world's girls will be forced to marry
15-19 - the typical age of brides in Sub-Saharan African (the average groom is 10 years older)
76 million girls in the world who have never received a single day of schooling
$35 is the cost of sending an Afghani girl to school for one year
$10 billion is the amount it would cost each year to send all the world's children to school by 2015 (less than the annual amount the world spends on ice cream)
Makes you stop and think, doesn't it?
Until next time...make it a fair trade day!
-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
67% of the world's work is done by women
10% of the world's income is earned by women (Megy's note: so where does the other 57% go?)
1% of the world's property that is owned by women
15 - age by which 1 million of the world's girls will be forced to marry
15-19 - the typical age of brides in Sub-Saharan African (the average groom is 10 years older)
76 million girls in the world who have never received a single day of schooling
$35 is the cost of sending an Afghani girl to school for one year
$10 billion is the amount it would cost each year to send all the world's children to school by 2015 (less than the annual amount the world spends on ice cream)
Makes you stop and think, doesn't it?
Until next time...make it a fair trade day!
-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
www.World-Shoppe.com's New Year's Resolutions
As we ended 2007, we were thankful for all of the support and kind words of our customers, friends and family. Since 2004, when we launched our e-boutique, we’ve been seeing sales increasing annually which is a wonderful testament to how far fair trade has been growing.
I wanted to share some www.World-Shoppe.com New Year’s resolutions with you so you can become more involved in our company’s growth, too!
1) Reach out to more customers to communicate the importance of fair trade
2) Educate more American consumers about our artisan partners and their handmade products.
3) Better merchandise and tell the story of our artisan partners at our new retail shop at the Andersonville Galleria (5247 N. Clark Street in Chicago’s popular Andersonville neighborhood).
4) Post blog entries more regularly so our customers and friends can hear and learn about things happening in our www.World-Shoppe.com community.
5) Continue to be involved in our local non-profit organization, Chicago Fair Trade. As an active board member, I feel we’re stronger as a team and we can do so much when we involve others! You can learn more about the group by visiting www.ChicagoFairTrade.org.
6) Continue to find great, high quality, handmade items from more artisan groups all over the world for our customers.
Think we’re missing something? Please let us know. Fair trade is more than just great handmade items from artisans – it’s about living. It’s about sharing our neighbor’s cultures and heritages with others. It’s about sharing. It’s about giving and receiving more than just physical and tangible products.
I’m excited to be a part of this movement and hope you’ll be right there with me this year.
Until next time…
Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
I wanted to share some www.World-Shoppe.com New Year’s resolutions with you so you can become more involved in our company’s growth, too!
1) Reach out to more customers to communicate the importance of fair trade
2) Educate more American consumers about our artisan partners and their handmade products.
3) Better merchandise and tell the story of our artisan partners at our new retail shop at the Andersonville Galleria (5247 N. Clark Street in Chicago’s popular Andersonville neighborhood).
4) Post blog entries more regularly so our customers and friends can hear and learn about things happening in our www.World-Shoppe.com community.
5) Continue to be involved in our local non-profit organization, Chicago Fair Trade. As an active board member, I feel we’re stronger as a team and we can do so much when we involve others! You can learn more about the group by visiting www.ChicagoFairTrade.org.
6) Continue to find great, high quality, handmade items from more artisan groups all over the world for our customers.
Think we’re missing something? Please let us know. Fair trade is more than just great handmade items from artisans – it’s about living. It’s about sharing our neighbor’s cultures and heritages with others. It’s about sharing. It’s about giving and receiving more than just physical and tangible products.
I’m excited to be a part of this movement and hope you’ll be right there with me this year.
Until next time…
Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Fair Trade Fairs - 2007
Greetings fair trade supporters!
Many of you have been asking where you can buy products from www.World-Shoppe.com in person. Well, we're happy to report two exciting developments:
1) www.World-Shoppe.com will be opening up its first retail space in the Andersonville neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois! We'll be opening in a few weeks and will make sure to let every single person we know about it - in the meantime, share the info with your friends and family! We'll be at the Andersonville Galleria at 5247 N. Clark Street (for those of you familiar with the area, it's Foster and Clark streets). Yippee!
2) Holiday fairs are an important part of our business as it not only allows us to communicate the message of fair trade, but also allows us to interact with customers one on one and to share the stories of each of our products. I'm very excited to share that we've increased the number of events by DOUBLE this year. So, no excuses, Chicagoans, you can definitely find us somewhere to purchase your fair trade holiday gifts this year!
Here's where we'll be in the coming weeks:
November 3-4; 10:00 – 4:00
Notre Dame for Boys
7655 W. Dempster Street
Niles, IL 60714
November 4, 8:00 - 3:00
St. Paul the Apostolate
320 South Washington Street
Park Ridge, IL 60068
November 10-11 (Saturday; 12-5 and Sunday, 9:30-1:00)
St. Giles in Oak Park, IL
1045 Columbian Ave.
November 11 (Sunday), 8:00 - 7:00
St. Alphonsus at Southport & Lincoln Ave in Chicago
November 11 (Sunday), 10:00 – 2:00
Hanukkah Bazaar
Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
5800 N. Kimball
November 12 (Monday), 11:00 – 1:45
DePaul Atrium, Lincoln Park campus (1st floor atrium of Student Center, corner of Sheffield and Beldin)
December 1, (Saturday) 10:00 – 4:00
Berry United Methodist
4754 N. Leavitt, Chicago
December 1-2 (Saturday and Sunday)
Saturday, December 1, 2007 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sunday, December 2, 2007 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
LYCÉE FRANÇAIS DE CHICAGO Holiday Bazaar
613 West Bittersweet Place
Chicago, Illinois 60613
December 5 (Wednesday); 11:00 – 4:00
Loyola University Student Center – Centennial Forum Student Union (CFSU)
1125 W. Loyola Ave in Chicago
Thank you, everyone! I can't wait to see many of you at our events!
Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
312-560-2715
Many of you have been asking where you can buy products from www.World-Shoppe.com in person. Well, we're happy to report two exciting developments:
1) www.World-Shoppe.com will be opening up its first retail space in the Andersonville neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois! We'll be opening in a few weeks and will make sure to let every single person we know about it - in the meantime, share the info with your friends and family! We'll be at the Andersonville Galleria at 5247 N. Clark Street (for those of you familiar with the area, it's Foster and Clark streets). Yippee!
2) Holiday fairs are an important part of our business as it not only allows us to communicate the message of fair trade, but also allows us to interact with customers one on one and to share the stories of each of our products. I'm very excited to share that we've increased the number of events by DOUBLE this year. So, no excuses, Chicagoans, you can definitely find us somewhere to purchase your fair trade holiday gifts this year!
Here's where we'll be in the coming weeks:
November 3-4; 10:00 – 4:00
Notre Dame for Boys
7655 W. Dempster Street
Niles, IL 60714
November 4, 8:00 - 3:00
St. Paul the Apostolate
320 South Washington Street
Park Ridge, IL 60068
November 10-11 (Saturday; 12-5 and Sunday, 9:30-1:00)
St. Giles in Oak Park, IL
1045 Columbian Ave.
November 11 (Sunday), 8:00 - 7:00
St. Alphonsus at Southport & Lincoln Ave in Chicago
November 11 (Sunday), 10:00 – 2:00
Hanukkah Bazaar
Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
5800 N. Kimball
November 12 (Monday), 11:00 – 1:45
DePaul Atrium, Lincoln Park campus (1st floor atrium of Student Center, corner of Sheffield and Beldin)
December 1, (Saturday) 10:00 – 4:00
Berry United Methodist
4754 N. Leavitt, Chicago
December 1-2 (Saturday and Sunday)
Saturday, December 1, 2007 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sunday, December 2, 2007 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
LYCÉE FRANÇAIS DE CHICAGO Holiday Bazaar
613 West Bittersweet Place
Chicago, Illinois 60613
December 5 (Wednesday); 11:00 – 4:00
Loyola University Student Center – Centennial Forum Student Union (CFSU)
1125 W. Loyola Ave in Chicago
Thank you, everyone! I can't wait to see many of you at our events!
Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
312-560-2715
Friday, July 27, 2007
Why Our Artisans Are My Role Models
We have so much to be thankful for and we sometimes forget. But when I think of what we're doing with http://www.world-shoppe.com/, I remember to be thankful for all that we have.
Many of our artisans are women. It's no surprise - women make up the majority of those who live in poverty. Through our purchasing power, and other fair trade groups around the world, these women now have hope. Hope that their skills and passion for their work will not only get noticed, but someone will actually buy their work! Now that's pretty powerful.
Women everywhere (and men, too) just want to experience new things, explore what life has to offer them. It shouldn't be an option to eat every day or be able to have a roof over your head when you sleep at night, or to sleep in silence and not hear bombs or guns going off outside. But for many of our artisan groups, this isn't odd - it's more commonplace than not.
I've said this before but I think it begs to get mentioned again - I'm not naive enough to think I can save the world alone, but together we can make a real difference in our artisans' lives. And even if we can change the world for one person - isn't that a start?
Thank you again for your ongoing and relentless support. We're excited to be bringing you our new pieces just in time for back to school and the holiday season. While it's really early for us to be debuting the pieces right now, they've started coming in and many of you have been asking to see "what's new" so we'll show you some pieces!
Enjoy the rest of summer!
-Megy
Many of our artisans are women. It's no surprise - women make up the majority of those who live in poverty. Through our purchasing power, and other fair trade groups around the world, these women now have hope. Hope that their skills and passion for their work will not only get noticed, but someone will actually buy their work! Now that's pretty powerful.
Women everywhere (and men, too) just want to experience new things, explore what life has to offer them. It shouldn't be an option to eat every day or be able to have a roof over your head when you sleep at night, or to sleep in silence and not hear bombs or guns going off outside. But for many of our artisan groups, this isn't odd - it's more commonplace than not.
I've said this before but I think it begs to get mentioned again - I'm not naive enough to think I can save the world alone, but together we can make a real difference in our artisans' lives. And even if we can change the world for one person - isn't that a start?
Thank you again for your ongoing and relentless support. We're excited to be bringing you our new pieces just in time for back to school and the holiday season. While it's really early for us to be debuting the pieces right now, they've started coming in and many of you have been asking to see "what's new" so we'll show you some pieces!
Enjoy the rest of summer!
-Megy
Monday, July 23, 2007
Blog on our Web site!
Finally - after months, we finally figured out how to post our blog on our Web site! So, anytime you check out www.World-Shoppe.com, please visit our Blog, too, to hear of upcoming events and news about fair trade, our new producer groups, or just new information about the world of conscious consumerism.
One of the things that was reinforced to me recently is the way fair trade is intertwined with the eco-friendly movement that seems to be taking over the marketplace like a crazy storm. Mind you, fair trade has been involved in recycling since fair trade became a concept since many artisans have very little to use in way of "raw" material, so they often use what is readily available whether that is old old drums in Haiti (which make beautiful wall decor when "carved" into designs), or old soda pop cans (which are transformed into fun pins in the shape of cats or people), or water hyancith that clogs the waterways in Bangladesh (which become gorgeous and practical stationery).
The point is that while we're excited that people are beginning to take a closer look at global warming and taking action, we're even more excited that people are finding us as another resource for eco-friendly products that have been designed to minimize our footprint but have also been designed as a way of life for many of our artisan groups.
Until next time, thank you for your ongoing and relentless support...
-Megy
One of the things that was reinforced to me recently is the way fair trade is intertwined with the eco-friendly movement that seems to be taking over the marketplace like a crazy storm. Mind you, fair trade has been involved in recycling since fair trade became a concept since many artisans have very little to use in way of "raw" material, so they often use what is readily available whether that is old old drums in Haiti (which make beautiful wall decor when "carved" into designs), or old soda pop cans (which are transformed into fun pins in the shape of cats or people), or water hyancith that clogs the waterways in Bangladesh (which become gorgeous and practical stationery).
The point is that while we're excited that people are beginning to take a closer look at global warming and taking action, we're even more excited that people are finding us as another resource for eco-friendly products that have been designed to minimize our footprint but have also been designed as a way of life for many of our artisan groups.
Until next time, thank you for your ongoing and relentless support...
-Megy
Friday, July 13, 2007
Like this blog? Mark this as one of your favorites!
I’m not sure if this will work – but here’s the code to help readers of my blog mark this blog as one of their favorites!
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