How to elevate your everyday style
One of my favorite phrases is, "It'll change your life." As in,"Try the garlic bread, it'll change your life." Or, "Use this lipstick, it'll change your life."
It turns out that one of the coolest parts about supporting small businesses is that what you spend your money on actually changes someone's life.
In fact, it will have a snowball effect that can transform entire communities. That's why this Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, your dollars can have a big ol' impact.
Elevate, the makers of this drop-dead gorgeous convertible slingback—oh yeah, it's a bucket bag, crossbody and backpack—have the most beautiful business process. (Pssst you can save 25% off their whole site with code daniella25 from November 23 12:00 a.m. to November 26 11:59 p.m.) I don't usually do this, but I'm going to post their entire six-step process here because it's so important to me that you understand precisely whom and how you impact.
You cast a vote with your dollars for the type of world you want, and I firmly believe that small businesses like Elevate can transform the world.
The ethical process:
People. People are our heartbeat. That’s why we seek to understand the unique and defining cultural characteristics of each community we look to impact. By understanding their worldview and perspective, we can better help serve them so they can be the most successful in their business initiatives.
Local leadership. We believe that nationals training nationals is the most effective form of teaching for long-term impact. By eliminating cultural barriers and creating a collaborative strategy that reinforces national ownership, we establish mentorships with local community members that are fit for leadership.
Business training. Once community leaders receive their training, they then teach our business training in their own language to a local group of men and women who will complete the training over the course of six months to a year.
Capital resources. After each participant has successfully met the business training requirements, upon evaluation they will have the option to accept a low-interest loan. Once the small loan has been paid back, the loan will remain in the community for continued business initiatives and job creation.
Long-term sustainability. Whether products are exported to the world market, or sold in local communities, we ensure that our partners have a profitable marketplace to sell their goods or services while providing the mentorship they need to grow.
Measuring impact. We believe that impact matters. That’s why our international development team follows up on business initiatives and has established monthly on-going business and life skills development meetings after business training has taken place. We may not always get it right, but we strive to change lives, not just provide opportunities.
Can it get better? Oh, yes it can. Check out what Elevate has already achieved and will continue into 2019:
With the sales of Elevate products, six women have been able to start their own beautician shops in Nepal and provide for their families
Elevate's leather shop was able to hire four additional men for the holiday season thanks to the influx in sales
Elevate is preparing to help 15 new businesses next quarter with at least 15 more on the way—so every purchase counts
So, how will you vote this holiday season?
*P.S. This is a sponsored partner, which means I may have received something in exchange for this post. Gracias.