Innovation

Be Blessed focuses on pioneering the sustainability market and fostering ideal business practices and social enterprise. To set itself apart from the competition in the market, Be Blessed utilizes used materials such as donated jeans to manufacture durable and environmentally friendly bags. Through this, Be Blessed aims to foster a recycling and conscious consumption culture. With their workers being mothers in the community, it serves as an avenue for female empowerment and inclusivity within Tondo, Manila. Be Blessed, operated by an NGO, encourages the practice of fostering community welfare over profit-driven motives. The organization is a prime example of a transformative business model integrating sustainability, social responsibility, and community empowerment. In addition to influencing the market through its innovative initiatives and persistent commitment, Be Blessed significantly improves the environment and people's lives.

Inspiration

Driven to uplift women in Tondo, Manila, and provide them with a livelihood to bring them dignity and hope, Be Blessed Marketplace has stayed true to its mission of giving the community a dignified way of life. The business's vision and mission is to create a safe space to empower women, families, children, and the community through values, education, and care. Be Blessed Marketplace inspired women to take reign of their abilities and produce beautiful bags that create profit and have a social impact on them and their community.

Overall impact

Be Blessed Marketplace in the Philippines is a beacon of hope and empowerment, driven by a vision of fostering God-centered, empowered, safe, and healthy communities. Central to their mission are their products, particularly the bags for a cause initiative. Crafted by women from the Tondo community, these bags provide livelihood and instill a sense of purpose, dignity, and hope among the makers.

Operating under an NGO's umbrella ensures that Be Blessed Marketplace's impact extends far beyond commerce. A significant portion of the proceeds from these bags is directed towards educational sponsorship programs for the organization's sponsored children, exemplifying a commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty through education. This not only transforms individual lives but also uplifts entire communities.

Moreover, Be Blessed Marketplace's sustainable model ensures that the organization remains self-sustaining. While a portion of the proceeds fuels educational initiatives, the remainder is reinvested into the organization to support ongoing operations and sustain the livelihoods of the bagmaker mothers. This cycle of empowerment and reinvestment amplifies the ripple effect of their work, creating a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals. About 100 percent of the proceeds from the initiatives are in addition to the organization’s livelihood program.

In essence, Be Blessed Marketplace transcends conventional business boundaries, embodying a holistic approach to community development. By providing tangible opportunities for marginalized women and investing in education, they are not just selling products but fostering transformation, one bag at a time. Their impact reverberates beyond economic metrics, touching the very fabric of society and offering a glimmer of hope for a brighter future in the Philippines.

Business benefit

Combining business innovation and community development, Be Blessed makes an impact through its bags and other merchandise. Some big companies and even private individuals donate textile scraps, and Be Blessed Marketplace gives them a second life. Their affordable prices make it accessible to students and workers alike. Aside from their physical store at the NGO office, they’ve also made themselves available online on various social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. From upcycled tote bags to sturdy backpacks and pouches, they have just the right bag for any customer. They continue innovating new designs for their bags to make the most of the textile scraps they receive. No two bags are the same, making the buying experience even better! Their innovation not only satisfies customers but also provides livelihood opportunities to mothers and scholarship funding for the students in the community.

Social and environmental benefit

Be Blessed Marketplace is distinguished by its unwavering dedication to responsible stewardship. The marketplace provides sustainable materials through its core principles and approach while uplifting the Tondo community. The marketplace restores dignity, morale, and hope while supporting livelihoods by offering employment opportunities to women in the community. Proceeds from the marketplace are channeled into a college fund for children from beneficiary families, ensuring access to education and breaking the cycle of poverty. Moreover, the marketplace invests in skills development, empowering beneficiaries to enhance their abilities and potentially pursue entrepreneurial endeavors.

“We also do our best to support the mothers with their livelihood. We have also given them some sewing machines for their personal use so they can also start on their own” (Jane Mata).

The marketplace embraces upcycling and recycling practices by repurposing donated materials such as jeans into bags, thereby reducing waste and promoting a circular economy. The marketplace minimizes its environmental footprint while maintaining a strong commitment to ethical and sustainable practices by sourcing materials through donations and operating under the auspices of an NGO. Through its holistic approach, Be Blessed Marketplace demonstrates how businesses can prioritize social impact and environmental sustainability, contributing positively to the community and setting a standard for responsible entrepreneurship.

Interviews

Jane Mata, Livelihood Program Coordinator

Quirlyno Sanchez, Program Coordinator

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