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Alex and Ani

Jewelry With A Positive Impact

Aff6 6246

Author

School

Monash University

Monash University

Professor

Gitanjali Bedi

Gitanjali Bedi

Global Goals

1. No Poverty 3. Good Health and Well-Being 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities 12. Responsible Consumption and Production 15. Life on Land

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Summary

  • Alex and Ani is a jewelry company that has a unique business model.
  • They strive to have a meaningful purpose and not operate purely for profit.
  • They aim to maintain the well-being of the planet, health of the economy and empowerment of individuals.

Innovation

One of their main innovations is ensuring the jewelry is eco-conscious. Alex and Ani ensures the materials utilized are sustainable and derived from eco-conscious processes, striving towards the Sustainable Development Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities. They use a substance called “Copper” in many of their pieces, a mixture of recycled metals including copper. Frances Hobkja, the Victorian manager, explains the metal is sourced from items such as “old copper door knobs and coat hangers [and has] had a life” previous to becoming the jewelry, adding character to the pieces as well as reducing the environmental impact. Through this innovation, Alex and Ani is able to work towards the Sustainable Development Goals 12 and 15, Responsible Consumption and Production, and maintaining Life on Land.

Another major aspect of their business is the Charity By Design collection, where bangles are sold specifically to benefit organizations. In Australia, the charities supported are UNICEF, Special Olympics, RSPCA, Lifeline and the McGrath Foundation. Through this, they are able to support many of the Sustainable Development Goals, including No Poverty and Good Health and Well-Being. Alex and Ani aims to strengthen the charitable organizations through the innovative partnerships, influencing their employees, customers and the community to get involved in organizations they support. They also contribute towards the Sustainable Development Goal 17, Partnerships for the Goals. While this innovation has just begun in Australia, in the US over $30 million has been donated to countless charities in the last five years. They hope to have the Charity by Design collection become as successful in Australia as it is in the US, since it is an integral part of their brand.

Jewelry With A Positive Impact

Inspiration

The company stays true to its core moral beliefs while running a business, and spreading positivity through the jewelry to connect people.

Overall impact

The company's jewelry-making methods positively impact the environment, its sales benefit many organizations and the brand connects people together through meaningful gifts.

Business benefit

People are more likely to purchase the products since they how the jewelry positively impacts society and overall profits.

Social and environmental benefit

Using recycled metals reduces the negative impact on the environment.

Interview

Frances Hobkja, Victorian Retail Manager

Business information

Alex and Ani

Alex and Ani

AU
Business Website: https://www.alexandani.com.au/
Year Founded: 2004
Number of Employees: 51 to 200
Alex and Ani is an American jewelry company that was founded in Rhode Island in 2004, and has now spread across the world to more than 10 countries including Canada, Japan, Ireland and most recently Australia. Alex and Ani has a unique business model, which aims to incorporate corporate consciousness in all directives. Their purpose is to make decisions that maintain the well-being of the planet, the health of the economy, and the empowerment of individuals. The jewelry they create is “meaningful and eco-conscious that positively empowers and connects humanity,” explains Hobkja, their Victorian retail manager. This allows them to be a successful and profitable company while maintaining social responsibility. Through their operations, Alex and Ani is able to meet many of the UN’s sustainable development goals.