Empowering Artisans: The Story of GlobeIn's Social Impact
It's refreshing to see small businesses making significant social impacts in a world where large corporations often dominate the market. One such business is GlobeIn, a handmade decor and subscription box company dedicated to empowering artisans and communities worldwide. GlobeIn's mission is:
GlobeIn is a purpose-driven company growing in parallel with entrepreneurial artisan partners from around the world with the aim of enriching individuals and their communities. We are devoted to transparent business practices, equitable and sustainable partnerships, and respect for cultural continuity. We strive to connect conscious consumers with delightful products and the talented artisans who make them, thereby strengthening the bonds of our global community.
A Unique Subscription Model
GlobeIn offers a variety of beautiful handcrafted products from around the world on its website and a premium Artisan subscription box model. Subscribers receive a monthly themed box filled with handcrafted goods, ranging from home décor and kitchenware to jewelry and accessories made by skilled artisans. Each box tells a story of the artisans who created the products, giving subscribers a deeper connection to the items they receive.
The company works directly with artisans to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and the use of sustainable materials. By cutting out intermediaries, GlobeIn ensures that a larger portion of the profits goes directly to the creators. This model provides artisans with a stable income and helps preserve traditional crafts and skills that might otherwise be lost.
Empowering Women and Communities
Two of GlobeIn's core values are Income Stability for Artisans and Transparency and Sustainability, including women's empowerment. In many countries where GlobeIn sources products, women often have limited opportunities for economic independence. GlobeIn partners with organizations that support female artisans, helping them gain financial stability and independence through sales of their creations. This support extends beyond wages; GlobeIn invests in training and resources that allow these women to hone their skills, improve their business practices, and expand their markets.
For example, in Oaxaca, Mexico, GlobeIn works with a cooperative of weavers who create intricate baskets using traditional techniques. Through their partnership with GlobeIn, these artisans have significantly increased incomes, enabling them to provide better education and healthcare for their families.
Globin’s website states, “Being part of the GlobeIn weaving group allows female weavers to stay home and earn income that would otherwise be impossible given their age or situation. The artisans are also keeping the tradition of weaving alive and hope to pass this tradition on to more weavers.”
This empowerment ripples out to the entire community, fostering a sense of pride and economic growth.
Promoting Sustainable Practices
Sustainability is at the heart of GlobeIn's operations. The company is committed to using eco-friendly materials and processes, ensuring that its products are beautiful and kind to the planet. Many of the artisans’ GlobeIn partners use recycled or sustainably sourced materials in their creations, reducing waste and adding a unique story to each product.
For instance, artisans in Central America make braided glass bead bracelets, with each piece of jewelry having its own artisan story:
"My name is Mirian Zet. I am a native of San Jorge la Laguna, a small village on the outskirts of the majestic Lake Atitlan, which is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes that have watched me grow up. I am dedicated to the creation of beaded jewelry, a traditional art from this area of the country that I inherited from my grandparents. With a lot of patience and love, my mother taught me this art from a young age. I fell in love with every color and every shape. For me, it was a new world where I could fully develop my imagination, forming marvelous creations.”
This personal connection with each artisan is what sets the shopping experience apart. You can explore your favorite products, learn about the creators, and purchase one-of-a-kind handmade items.
Building a Global Community
GlobeIn is more than just a subscription box; it's a movement towards conscious consumerism. By choosing to purchase from GlobeIn, subscribers support ethical business practices and contribute to the betterment of communities around the world. GlobeIn connects consumers with the artisans who create the products they love. This connection helps bridge cultural gaps and fosters a greater appreciation for the diversity and richness of global traditions.
GlobeIn is a small business that makes a social impact and is sustainable in a marketplace often dominated by mass-produced goods. By empowering artisans, particularly women, and promoting eco-friendly practices, GlobeIn is making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities. Their subscription model brings beautiful, handcrafted products to consumers and tells the important stories of the people behind these creations. As GlobeIn continues to grow, so does its positive impact on the world, proving that small businesses can change lives and foster global change.
Download their 2020 Social Impact report.