Impact Report

I M PA C T REPORT 2017

CONTENTS HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR IMPACT Trades of Hope is a fair trade, direct selling company with a simple mission: empowering women out of poverty through sustainable business.

We are a Fair Trade Federation member and a Direct Selling Association member.

We carry both memberships proudly as we focus on what’s truly important: the millions of women around the world, in poverty, sexual exploitation, and slums, who need a sustainable income to find hope for their families and futures.

American women join us as Compassionate Entrepreneurs in our efforts to advocate for our sisters by the thousands everyday. Founded by 4 passionate women in Florida, this has turned into a movement greater than anyone could have ever imagined.

This is the change we have accomplished in 2017 together.

CHANGING THOUSANDS OF LIVES IN 17 COUNTRIES O U R B U S I N E S S M O D E L : S U S TA I N A B L I T Y T H E I M PA C T O F O N E C O M PA S S I O N AT E E N T R E P R E N E U R “HOW MUCH GOES BACK TO THE ARTISANS?” “ H O W I S FA I R T R A D E C H A N G I N G L I V E S ?

N I N E FA I R T R A D E P R I N C I P L E S A C LO S E R LO O K AT O U R I M PA C T B Y C O U N T R Y I M P A C T I N A M E R I C A : F E M A L E E Q U A L I T Y A N D F A M I LY V A L U E S O U R VA LU E S F O R O U R H O M E T E A M

HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR IMPACT 9,440

3,906

42,890

14,541

16,525

PEOPLE IN FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT

PEOPLE IN PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT

PEOPLE HELPED IN ARTISANS’ COMMUNITIES

PEOPLE RECEIVING HEALTH AID

CHILDREN BEING EDUCATED

YA

MS. FLORENCE

ISMAELLA

A C I D AT TA C K S U R V I V O R - C A M B O D I A

WA R R E F U G E E - U G A N DA

P R O V I D I N G F O R F A M I LY - H A I T I

“I am gradually trying to rebuild my life and to make a future for myself... I am starting this small business to make goods by hand so that other women in my condition... can have the chance to earn their own living in safety and some measure of self-respect.”

“I’m doing a business, and I really feel so happy about it because it is income generating. So, it’s really something which makes me become so free... It’s my own money. I am happy doing my work. My children are studying out of this. I really feel I am a great woman in this nation.”

“Working in an artisan group has helped me see my capacity and the capacity of others. It makes me proud because people can see good things about my country. I am more independent economically, and I can help others do the same.”

CHANGING THOUSANDS OF L I V E S IN 17 COUNTRIES

U.S.A. Jobs for women leaving commercial sexual exploitation

JORDAN Women are finding financial independence and community amidst harsh home lives

PAKISTAN Empowering women to have freedom from bond slavery and religious oppression

NORTH ASIA Rescuing and rehabilitating women from brothels

BANGLADESH Offering safe, dignified work where prostitution is generally women’s only income option

HAITI Creating safe jobs where there are none so mothers can keep their children and not have to give them to orphanages COSTA RICA Jobs for mothers and safety for families where the sex trade and drug gangs threaten them

GUATEMALA Empowering women aging out of a safe home and families in Antigua to have job training and financial independence to reach their dreams

NEPAL Freedom for women who have been trafficked.

VIETNAM Creating dignified job opportunities for women in rural areas

PERU Families are becoming financially stable and successful INDIA Creating jobs so women experience freedom from slums, sweatshops, and discrimination against the caste system and leprosy UGANDA Partnering with best-selling author, Katie Davis Majors’ group of women and other women struggling to provide for their families

KENYA Creating jobs for women who were ostracized for being handicapped

THE PHILIPPINES Empowering women to earn an income where jobs are scarce CAMBODIA Women who were acid attacked and shunned are finding purpose and dignity THAILAND Where most opportunity is in the city, offering women jobs in their villages so they can stay with their children

OUR BUSINESS MODEL

THE IMPACT OF ONE

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

C O M PA S S I O N AT E E N T R E P R E N E U R

T R A D E S O F H O P E I S N O T A C H A R I T Y.

Founders Gretchen and Elisabeth worked in international charity for more than 10 years without seeing the change they desired. Founders Holly and Chelsie worked in ministry with a heart for relationship and development. We believe sustainable business is a solution to poverty, to see change in communities for generations to come.

S O M A N Y W O M E N L I V E I N P O V E R T Y. . .

... not because they lack abilities, but because they lack opportunity. The Founders started Trades of Hope to give women and their families that dignified opportunity for a better life. They don’t want charity. They want an opportunity.

W E H E L P T H E M B Y. . .

...creating a marketplace in the U.S. for their products through our Compassionate Entrepreneurs. This means, rather than just being an online store, we have over 6,000 women in American sharing our artisans’ stories and talent everyday. Because people here are learning about their work, women who once had nothing are putting food on their tables, roofs over their heads, getting medical care and education for their children. They are doing this consistently and proudly, without waiting for the next charitable hand-out. There is no limit to their futures now.

ONE CE EMPOWERS 7 ARTISAN WOMEN Our model has endless opportunity to end poverty for women because it works on exponential change.

In 2017, based off of the number of artisan women and the number of Compassionate Entrepreneurs (CEs) actively selling and sponsoring, the individual impact of 1 CE was empowering 7 women out of poverty. But it doesn’t stop there! Every time she had someone join Trades of Hope (sponsoring), she helped empower 7 more women.

Because of this, the number of people she could help is limitless!

“Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.”

“HOW MUCH GOES BACK TO THE ARTISANS?”

T H E Y A R E PA I D 1 0 0 % UP FRONT

We pay our artisans as a partnering business, not a charity. Therefore, they actually get more than they would with a “give back” donation.

We are proud to share that our artisan partners have already been paid 100% of their asking price before a customer ever buys from us.

W E A L WA Y S P U T THE ARTISANS FIRST

If we have accessories that don’t sell or need to discount, that’s a hit we take on ourselves, as the artisans were already paid the full asking price upfront.

EARNING 3-6x MORE THAN BEFORE

All of our artisans receive, at least, a living wage for their region, not just minimum wage.

They earn 3 - 6 times more than the average income for their country! This wage varies from region to region and is distributed fairly and equally without discrimination. Our artisan partners are doing more than just getting by (it’s still expensive to live in most developing countries). They are saving and planning and dreaming with their income for the first time!

HOW IS FAIR TRADE CHANGING LIVES?

ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM

Many workers around the world are treated and paid very poorly. Approximately, 40% of the world’s population exists on $2 dollars a day. You might often wonder how some products you buy can be so cheap. Underpaid workers toiling in sweatshops contributes to our “bargains,” as do the environmentally destructive processes used to create some of the products we consume. That bargain may come at a very high price to our fellow sisters and brothers and the environment.

THE MISSION OF FA I R T R A D E

The principle of fair trade enables people around the world to receive a livable income that covers their basic needs, which include food, shelter, education, and health care for their families. This in itself is amazing, but fair trade even does so much more! Most fair trade organizations strive to make a positive impact in their whole community! Fair trade is about improving living conditions on a long-term, broader scale. Together, we are creating multi-generational change to end to poverty.

WE’RE COMMITTED TO BEING DIFFERENT

Trades of Hope partners with fair trade groups and ministries who are on the ground to guarantee accountability and has an entire Artisan Development department committed to ensuring the Fair Trade Principles are maintained, checking in with our artisans weekly, and making sure each decision the company makes is a win for the artisan.

F I N D A L L N I N E FA I R TRADE PRINCIPLES ON T H E N E X T PA G E

In the Fair Trade Principles, the Members refer to Trades of Hope and the Producers refer to our artisan partners.

DEVELOP TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE RELATIONSHIPS Fair Trade involves relationships that are open, fair, consistent, and respectful. Members show consideration for both customers and producers by sharing information about the entire trading chain through honest and proactive communication.

ENSURE THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN Fair Trade means that all children have the right to security, education, and play. Members disclose the involvement of children in production. Members do not support child trafficking and exploitative child labor.

SUPPORT SAFE AND EMPOWERING WORKING CONDITIONS

There’s always a safe, healthy working environment, free of forced labor and any harassment or abuse. Members cultivate workplaces that empower people to participate in the decisions that affect them. There is no discrimination based on race, caste, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, politics, age, marital, or health status.

NINE FAIR TRADE PRINCIPLES

CULTIVATE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Fair Trade seeks to offer current generations the ability to meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We actively consider the implications of their decisions on the environment and promote the responsible stewardship of resources.

CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY MARGINALIZED PRODUCERS Fair Trade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Members create social and economic opportunities through trading partnerships with marginalized producers.

PAY PROMPTLY AND FAIRLY Producers set their prices. Members comply with or exceed international, national, and local standards for the producers. Members seek to ensure that income is distributed promptly, and equal pay is given for equal work by women and men. Producers are offered interest-free advance payment when needed.

RESPECT CULTURAL IDENTITY

Fair Trade celebrates the cultural diversity, while creating positive and equitable change. Members respect the development of products, practices, and organizational models based on indigenous traditions and techniques to sustain cultures and revitalize traditions. Members balance market needs with producers’ cultural heritage.

BUILD CAPACITY

To develop producers’ independence, members maintain long-term relationships based on solidarity, trust, and mutual respect. This is so producers can improve their skills and their access to markets. Members help producers through proactive communication, financial and technical assistance, market information.

PROMOTE FAIR TRADE

Members actively raise awareness about fair trade and the possibility of greater justice in the global economic system. Members demonstrate that trade can be a positive force for improving living standards, health, education, the distribution of power, and the environment in the communities with which they work.

O U R I M PA C T IN HAITI

360

1,183

76

700

ARTISANS EMPLOYED

PEOPLE IMPACTED IN HAITI

ARTISANS CONTINUING EDUCATION

CHILDREN IN SCHOOL FROM THIS WORK WAGES + BENEFITS

The average worker in Haiti earns less than a dollar a day. The women who make our accessories earn more than a living wage for their region, are raising their children, and sending their children to school!

- HEALTH CARE - SAVING ACCOUNTS - ROOFTOP WELLNESS GARDEN - CHILD CARE AT WORK

RECYCLED MATERIALS

All of our pieces from Haiti feature recycled materials such as cereal boxes, glass, clay, aluminum and steel barrel drums.

EMPOWERING MOTHERS TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN In Haiti, most children in orphanages have living relatives, but their families cannot afford to provide for them. This leads to many mothers knocking on doors of orphanages in hopes that another family can give the child a better life. To address what is called the “poverty orphan” crisis, we give hundreds of mothers and fathers jobs so that they can keep their children and plan a bright future together!

O U R I M PA C T I N G U AT E M A L A

59

240

19

110

ARTISANS EMPLOYED

PEOPLE IMPACTED IN GUATEMALA

ARTISANS IN OUR ENGLISH PROGRAM

GIRLS SUPPORTED IN THE SAFE HOME WAGES + BENEFITS

All of our artisans are paid according to fair trade guidelines, above the living wage for Guatemala. The young women aging out of a safe home are planning careers and mothers in Antigua are providing for their families!

- LEARNING ENGLISH - BUSINESS TRAINING - SMALL BUSINESS LOANS - EQUAL PAY WHERE WOMEN USUALLY ARE DISCRIMINATED

FINGERPRINT ON EVERY PIECE Each piece from Guatemala features a genuine silver charm with the imprint of a fingerprint from the woman who made it.

EMPOWERING YOUNG WOMEN TO HAVE CAREERS! In Guatemala, we help support a safe home for girls who were on the street or in abusive situations. At 18, girls age out of the safe home, which used to be heartbreaking. But now they have the opportunity to create jewelry and receive job training, something they look forward to doing!

The work and training teaches young women to manage the logistics, inventory, marketing and sale of products. These are skills that will serve them anywhere their careers take them. We also fund an English program. Learning the global language better prepares them for the business world.

O U R I M PA C T IN NORTH ASIA

33

100

16

5

ARTISANS EMPLOYED

PEOPLE IMPACTED IN ASIA

ARTISANS CONTINUING EDUCATION

CHILDREN OF ARTISANS IN SCHOOL WAGES + BENEFITS

These women are finally able to provide for their families without being sexually exploited! Because they are being paid according to fair trade guidelines, above the living wage for their region, they are earning a safe income with dignity!

- REHABILITATION - VOCATIONAL TRAINING - HEALTH CARE - HOUSING

MATERIALS

The women who are creating our pieces are learning high quality jewelry techniques to become skilled in their craft.

WOMEN ARE LEAVING BROTHELS In rural Asia, where many women earn little more than a dollar a day, women often fall prey to sex trafficking while trying to support their families. These women have been rescued out of the brothels and are provided with healthy work and rehabilitation in a supportive environment. They are given holistic care which gives each woman the opportunity for vocational training, healthcare, shelter, counseling, as well as education grants for the women and their children.

O U R I M PA C T IN JORDAN

13

51

2

28

ARTISANS EMPLOYED

PEOPLE IMPACTED IN JORDAN

ARTISANS CONTINUING EDUCATION

CHILDREN IN SCHOOL FROM THIS WORK WAGES + BENEFITS

Many women in Jordan do not have money of their own or the ability to decide how it’s spent. It’s so special that these women are earning their own income, apart from a man’s, to provide for their families and decide how to save for the future.

- ENGLISH PROGRAMS AVAILABLE - EXERCISE + HEALTH CLASSES - FINANCIAL BONUSES AT END OF YEAR

RECYCLED MATERIALS

Our necklace from Jordan features a glass pendant recycled from glass bottles. There is no recycling in Jordan, so our artisans’ work is so important to the environment!

WOMEN BECOMING FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT In Jordan, it is traditionally expected that women care for the family, with little need to ever leave the home or find community. Many of the women we work with in Jordan have been divorced, orphaned, or widowed and have struggled to provide for their family’s needs. But through our partnership, this sisterhood of 13 women are finding a haven in each other and financial independence. Being able to decide when and how money is spent is rare for women and a huge accomplishment!

FEMALE EQUALITY AND FAMILY VALUES FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND OUR HOME TEAM F O U N D E D, O W N E D, A N D R A N B Y W O M E N

Trades of Hope was founded by 4 strong, passionate women, 2 mother and daughter teams, Elisabeth Gretchen, Holly, and Chelsie. In 2010, they decided to act on their shared passion to see women empowered, poverty end, and the world a better place. They continue to lead Trades of Hope with their founding mission in mind, everyday leading the home team (staff) in decisions that put our artisan partners first.

FA M I LY, D I V E R S I T Y, I M P R O V I N G T H E E C O N O M Y

As we’ve grown, we’ve hired an incredibly diverse group of people that make our mission even more real and achievable. But we never want to lose that close family feel that can be seemingly lost in corporate America today. That’s why we call our staff the “home team.”

The home team is located in Bunnell, Florida. The Founders started hiring women to work on the Home Team during the national recession, which hit Bunnell very hard. Despite the surrounding economic struggles, Trades of Hope flourished and provided a growing number of jobs to families who needed them in the area.

E M P L O Y M E N T A N D B E N E F I T S T H AT E M P O W E R

Trades of Hope employs 44 women and men in Bunnell, Florida. In 2017, we had “summer hours” when our team spent Fridays with their children home from school. We are also proud to offer medical benefits to our Florida home team for the first time, to help ease that burden and take care of their families.

The U.S. is one of only two countries in the first world that offers no federal paid maternity leave. We are a company that supports and honors women, their equality, and their choices. Because of this, we offer paid maternity and paternity leave with an additional 6 weeks of leave time for births and adoptions for our home team members.

EMPOWERING OVER

6,0 0 0

We believe in the power of women and all they choose to be. Because of this, we love that women can lead project meetings at Trades of Hope, be a part of a successful career, while also raising a healthy family.

AMERICAN WOMEN

Our Compassionate Entrepreneurs are what makes Trades of Hope a movement. Rather than just selling our artisans’ products online, Compassionate Entrepreneurs represent women around the world every day.

Earning 25% from their sales (after the artisans are paid in full) allows the women here in America to make an income for their families and help their sisters long term.

INCREASING ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AMERICA The American women who are selling Trades of Hope are their own bosses during the rise of entrepreneurship. Our direct selling business model is adding women to the American workforce as then also end poverty around the world. The direct selling industry brought 35.5 billion dollars in sales to the U.S. in 2016. We love that our Compassionate Entrepreneurs are finding financial flexibility and freedom.

O F F E R I N G M I L L E N N I A L S, M O T H E R S, C A R E E R WO M E N, A N D R E T I R E E S P U R P O S E Around the world, women are lacking opportunity but also hold so much skill! Compassionate Entrepreneurs are American women who join Trades of Hope to sell our artisans’ products and grow the marketplace for their beautiful work. Women of all ages, backgrounds, and family sizes are joining. College students, home schooling moms, career women looking for purpose, and retirees found a way to bring hope to their sisters.

OUR VALUES FOR OUR HOME TEAM These are the specific values by which our home team operates. These values are a part of everything we do from our Artisan Communications department to our Marketing department to our Admin department. Every home team member has these by their desks as we work everyday to empower women out of poverty.

WE HONOR GOD AND OTHERS We will honor God by loving and honoring others.

W E VA L U E S C R A P P Y D E T E R M I N A T I O N

We value a ‘can-do’ attitude that is positive and determined. Knowing the answer is not always as important as knowing how to find the answer, and we value an attitude that will passionately problem solve, not giving up until a job is well done.

W E VA L U E E A C H O T H E R ’ S D I F F E R E N C E S

We treat everyone with love and respect by building relationships that are caring, empathetic, and inclusive. We treat others the way that we want to be treated, offering grace when needed, valuing their diverse perspective, and remaining teachable.

W E S T R I V E T O A L WA Y S G E T B E T T E R

We value excellence and efficiency by striving to be the best versions of ourselves. We always ask the question, “how could this improve?” Because we constantly pursue being better, we also enthusiastically embrace change.

W E VA L U E C O L L A B O R A T I O N

We believe that we are better together. We foster teamwork and problem solving with diverse perspectives to make our company and world better.

WE BELIEVE THE BEST

We believe the best about people, understanding that their perspective may be different but their intention is good. We don’t allow our minds to dwell on the negative, but we communicate and move forward with forgiveness. We believe the best about the future, bringing positivity into our work and the grace to be flexible.

W E C E L E B R AT E P E O P L E

We go out of our way to celebrate people by highlighting what makes them unique and the milestones they accomplish. We bring a celebratory attitude of fun and joy into our work and into our teams.