Lillian Justus
Gavin Wahala
Isabel Rodriguez
St. John's University
Charles Wankel
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It is evident that WorldFinds has used innovation in order to better the lives of their artisan partners. Through the purchases made, WorldFinds has been able to change the lives of many in collaboration with the Girls Education Fund, Equal Justice Initiative, Cause Connection Collection, Global Giving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, etc. WorldFinds’ innovation goals revolve around donation and aiding less fortunate groups but also developing personal independence for their artisans. The ultimate goal is for all efforts to collectively result in stronger, healthier communities where change is powered from within. This harmonizes with WorldFinds’ mission of empowering women through fair trade. WorldFinds aims to assist at the root of poverty: lack of work. Therefore, they have the long-term goal of working toward sustainable work, fair trade, and wages.
As we discussed with Kelly during our interview, she stated, “We’re constantly innovating to stay relevant and viable. We always put our artisans first, and make sure what we’re doing creates as much work as possible for the different groups.” It is clear that Kelly and WorldFinds are consistently working to stay relevant and modern while keeping their mission at the core of all their decisions. Moving forward, Kelly shared that they hope to bring back seasonal product categories next year, as this works in unison with their goal of incorporating repurposed and upcycled materials in as many products as possible.
Lastly, Kelly shared WorldFinds' innovative ways to differentiate themselves from similar mission focused businesses. She explained the ability to attain a sellable product while making sure to keep up with launching new designs every few months enables WorldFinds to stay ahead, interesting, and impactful. In addition, crafting their goods with repurposed materials whenever possible, having strong customer service, and responsiveness gives WorldFinds a differentiating edge. Ultimately, Kelly strives to let her customers know that their support is greatly appreciated because their purchases are changing the lives of the artisans.
WorldFinds emerged from Kelly’s 14-month around-the-world backpacking journey in 1999. During her time in Nepal, she experienced fair trade firsthand. She believed it to be a viable solution to many issues, causing her to further explore the topic. After researching and becoming involved in fair trade, she took her first steps in developing WorldFinds by registering the domain. To Kelly, “fair trade provides economic empowerment to communities in need through partnerships and finding a market for their talents. It sees business as a force for good.” She mentions that her primary motivator is the “artisan makers at the heart of the initiative.” Her goal was to be able to work with these artisans to promote their skill and to provide them with support through the business.
WorldFinds makes a lasting impact on both the environment and the lives of the artisans they employ. WorldFinds is environmentally conscious from inception of the product to customer delivery.
WorldFinds addresses poverty in third world countries by creating sustainable work and fair wages for their artisan-partners and works with 700 women artisans to provide economic empowerment and independence. In addition, WorldFinds provides for women and girls through their Girls Education Fund. The Girls Education Fund provides financial assistance to WorldFinds’ artisan-partners' children by providing tuition money, books, and uniforms for education. To date, funds have impacted 300 children. Overall, WorldFinds is committed to their mission to empower women through fair trade.
The artisan’s use repurposed and discarded materials to create their products, such as jewelry and accessories. Each product is made by hand at small workshops or in the homes of the artisans, which produces less pollution than a large-scale factory. Most products are made by artisans in India and transported to WorldFinds via sea freight or cargo flight. In order to decrease their environmental impact, WorldFinds only transports products on already scheduled full trips. Finally, products are shipped to consumers using compostable packaging made from recycled materials.
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Kelly Weinberger, Founder and Owner
WorldFinds has been a woman-owned and woman-powered business since the beginnings of the company in 2001. The primary goal and mission of WorldFinds has always been to create dignified work and economic opportunities for artisan communities. Kelly Weinberger, WorldFinds’s Founder and Owner, leads the company and her team in breaking the cycle of poverty for women, children, and families in marginalized communities. In connection with the focus on fair trade practices and sustainable production, WorldFinds is in close collaboration with their artisan-partners in India and Nepal, where they began their reputation for thoughtfully designed and ethically handmade goods. WorldFinds has been growing in an upward trajectory ever since Kelly’s initial spark of inspiration back in 1999. Through WorldFind’s commitment to ethical practices and expressive styles, these very products transform the lives of their artisan partners. WorldFinds’ products have created work for more than 700 artisan-partners in communities across the globe.