Within most sellers’ profiles, you’ll find the founder’s story, mission, and philosophy. You can access this information through any individual product page too – just click through on the hyperlinked name under “seller information.”

 

Here are just a couple of our favorite stories and links to a few more.

 

Mata Traders

 

"Mata" (Mother in Hindi)-

 

 India is the kind of place where a Mercedes Benz will pull up to an ox cart at a stop light, and a man in an impeccable suit will lean out to ask directions from the ox cart driver, who's not wearing shoes.

The suit will cost more than the ox cart driver makes in a year, but the two men, for one tiny moment, will chat with ease about directions before slipping back into their separate worlds.

 

Our journey with 'Mother India' began in 2003, when Michelle and I, best friends since college, spent 4 months traveling the subcontinent on a round the world trip. After that, while Michelle went to grad school, I went back to India yearly for buying trips, importing everything from antique wall hangings to leather shoes.  As my business blossomed, so did my awareness of the conditions of poverty that exist for much of the population. I began to see my buying power there as a chance to make a difference, and on my second trip I actively sought out producer groups that paid their workers good wages and practiced the principles of fair trade.

 

Soon after, Michelle joined Mata Traders as a partner. Our mission is to work with organizations that educate, employ, and empower women.

Spending time with these groups has helped us realized that even the most traditional women, when given the opportunity, thrive in a sphere of meaningful work that is outside their homes and families. We have also learned that equality in the workplace IS possible in a country as socially stratified as India.  Whether a beginner sewer or the marketing director, all the women that make our clothing and accessories have a voice.  We are so proud to be a part of that voice by bringing you their quality handiwork in a high fashion, fairly traded product line.

 

Maureen Dunn

Co-owner, Mata Traders

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Morning Indigo

 

Skin Care for Athletes by Morning Indigo developed as a business without plans for a business. The original line was developed purely out of necessity after a tumultuous year. I loved natural body products but due to the "tough" year couldn't afford to buy my favorites, so I opted to make them! With several years of training and experience from skin care companies such as Estee Lauder and Artistry Skin Care, I went onto the internet and started searching for the raw ingredients, in small quantities, to make my necessities - soap, body butter, hair oils. Through much searching, mixing and trials I had come up with a very nice product-for the house. This was initially just for the family. While my kids were in summer camp, I would send small jars of the body butter with them. One day a counselor asked if I could make her some. Of course, I wasn't in business, but I was not one to turn down business. She became my first customer. It was my son that suggested that we start selling our products.

 

So I decided to name the product line Morning Indigo, after our children, since the profits were going to help the family. My son's name, Tarik, means "Morning Star" in Arabic and my daughters name is Indigo. So I combined the two names. The original logo came from a neighbor. I had given her a bar of soap to try and she just loved it. She said, "I have envisioned your logo." Logo, what logo? I'm not really in business! I didn't know that she used to be a graphic artist and she came home with this beautiful logo...sunrise, mountains! My first commercial customer came from a good friend Shelley who owned a boutique in Seattle, WA. Our original line has been carried in Marina Del Rey Pharmacy in California, and within gift baskets of The Gift Studio and Hallmark Crown Stores! So, here we are, in business!!

 

Beginning in the fall of  2003 I began training with Team In Training (The Leukemia/Lymphoma Society) and completed my first Half-Marathon (Inside-Out Sports), Full Marathon at the 2004-Disney World,  my first Sprint Triathlon at the2004 Latta Plantation.  In 2005 I again participated with Team In Training and completed the 2005 Nike Women's Marathon.  I still think that I may be going through some sort of Mid-life crisis because I had never run or participated in any endurance event! But I finished them all...and I wasn't last! Now I have permanent bragging rights over my friends!

 

I trained through all four seasons for either my marathon(s) or triathlon. One thing that I noticed about all of the training was that my skin was drying out from all of the showers, chlorine and the sun/wind exposure. So as the owner of a body products company, a couple of my teammates asked that I develop a body moisturizer that was light and easily absorbed into the skin and a wash that could remove the dirt and chlorine without stripping the skin of its own moisture.  After much research and trials our tri-body spray and tri-body wash was developed.

 

While researching the numerous products that existed in the market and understanding the necessities of an athlete and fitness enthusiast, I realized that there is very little available to them by the way of natural products. What started as something for the family grew into what you now see before you, products made with the athlete and fitness enthusiast in mind and that feel as good as they are for you. We use only the finest essential oils, organic oils, pure castille and floral waters for all of our creations.

 

With Confidence,

Taylor Sparks, Principal Goddess

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The team over at Conscious Clothing began as a branch of their glass business after viewing, in their words, “the most amazing” documentary on free trade practices in Jamaica.

 Goods for the Garden came about from the years of travel and time in the wholesale garden industry

Helen Freeman founded the International Snow Leopard Trust after falling in love with the cats, brought to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle in the early 1970s.

After visiting Guatemala and seeing the poverty, the founder of Fair Trade and Education was moved to help the women sell their handcrafts

 

Which sellers’ founding stories are some of your favorites?

 

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