Innovation

Tim works directly with floriculturists in Ecuador when acquiring his flowers. He is very focused on making sure that the women who work on the farms he gets his flowers from are not being abused, and does his best to ensure that their children have day care so their parents can work with no worries. Tim makes sure that all the workers are treated equally and with respect, and that they have proper working environments and benefits, including health insurance. Tim prides himself and his business on the fact that his source materials are ecologically and economically sustainable, and he is proud to say he knows the names of the women in Ecuador who pick, package, and ship the flowers he has on display in his Teaneck shop.

Tim stated, “My roses last 2 weeks in the vase. That is not a coincidence. But there is a higher gate price. On the demand end of it, I absorb part of that, but my consumers have to absorb part of that as well. Things have a real world price, but it’s like in clothing in China, if you are going to super-exploit people, and then you get consumers in the developed world addicted to the idea that a blouse should cost $6, where does it come from? It comes from women being paid pennies on the hour, living in dormitories, and working 7 days a week 17 hours a day. It’s not magic, it’s not mystical, it comes from somewhere.”

Inspiration

Tim has been surrounded by environmental and social justice activism his entire life, as his parents were involved with the civil rights movement during politically turbulent times. Through these influences, he has identified with the plight of minorities and the oppressed his entire life. Tim lived and worked in Central America during the Reagan administration and upon returning to the United States was imprisoned for almost a decade and a half as a result of his political activism. Tim has no qualms delving into his activist past. During his time in political prison he was able to earn a Master's degree in political economy and once he was released he pursued and added a Master’s Degree in fine arts. All these aspects combined seem to shape Tim’s view of the world and his outlook on his own life and how he can spread positive impact. Tim went on to explain that when he was on parole the opportunities to him were very limited, and starting a small business was one of the few options he had. These events and circumstances have led Tim to develop his moral values and have culminated into what can be seen on display at Tiger Lily.

He stated, “I was a revolutionary. When I was your age I was in El Salvador, with FMLN (Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front), in the 1980’s during the Reagan Administration. I was a paramedic in Nicaragua and El Salvador. I was trying to prevent the United States from taking over Central America. I was a political prisoner when I came back. I had to spend 14 years in prison as a political prisoner of the United States. My trajectory has always been about social justice. My parents were involved in the civil rights movement. My father was a pastor at a mostly African American church. I was raised in the civil rights movement.”

Overall impact

Society has acknowledged the Fair Trade movement of businesses such as Tiger Lily, who have been pushing for and promoting sustainable, moral business practices. It is understood that some people just want to purchase their goods as cheaply as possible, and are not concerned with how they are made and the consequences faced by the improperly treated workers. However, people like Tim won’t go down without a fight, and they are doing their best to educate society on a daily basis about the benefit of practicing Fair Trade. Tiger Lily has contributed to the Teaneck community and directly influenced the town in erecting a sign on Route 4 which proudly states, “Welcome To Teaneck, A Fair Trade Community”. Tim wants more people in society to be aware of the unfair treatment that occurs in the production of goods all around the world. More and more businesses and organisations are joining the movement here at Tiger Lily, including Fairleigh Dickinson University and Holy Name Hospital. Tiger Lily aims to make Fair Trade a commonly recognised necessity, rather than a premium luxury, that only niche businesses offer. With their continuous growth, and a participating community, Tiger Lily is positively moving and steering people in the right direction, and society is slowly recognizing the importance of their mission and goals.

“We convinced about 30-something institutions, including Fairleigh Dickinson, Holy Name Hospital, and some of the larger ones in town, where ever possible, to use Fair Trade goods. So, in your cafeteria, your coffee is Fair Trade Certified™. That’s because of us, we made that happen. And people organized around that concept.”

Business benefit

The impact of the innovation on the business was first a loss of customers. Tim took over a flower shop that had previously been one of cheap, discount shops he now competes with. By operating under Fair Trade guidelines, Tiger Lily was forced to charge a 15% markup on the cost of the flowers, and many consumers balked at this and fled for cheaper pastures. Tim and his business persevered though, and has found its profitable niche in providing a boutique, high quality option to consumers seeking a sustainable conscious, premium product.

He stated, “On Fair Trade farms, it is not socialism, it is working within a capitalist framework, however the workers on the farms and the management at Ponte Tresa they get together to decide what to do with that 15% markup that Fair Trade gate that goes above and beyond the cost of production. So what do we need? They ask. And the women vote. They say, ‘We need child care. We need a nurse to come in once a week, etc.’ So that’s what they do with it, it’s collectively decided.”

Social and environmental benefit

Activists such as Tim are helping spread and push for Fair Trade practices. Consumers can lobby large organizations and businesses with their wallets. By choosing to support businesses that adhere to Fair Trade practices, consumers are influencing major companies, like Apple and Starbucks, to move towards more sustainable, responsible practices. The business environment is too quiet about the use of Fair Trade products and practices. Tiger Lily aims to change that. At Tiger Lily we learned that we have a voice, and that all it may take for us to be heard is to boycott these large companies in order to show them that we don't agree with their ways, and that there are better ways to be doing things.

Interview

Tim Blunk, Owner/Lead Designer