Each Friday, the another jennifer blog shares stories of those who incorporate philanthropy into their everyday lives – personally and professionally – in a creative and unique way. If you have a story you’d like to share, please contact Jennifer.
At first glance, Jolica may seem like another work from home business where “gift consultants” host in-home parties selling products.
But Jolica is more than selling jewelry, scarves and handbags to friends and family. The company is “committed to changing lives through the power of conscious commerce and giving back.”
Every sale not only earns the hostess free and half price products, it also generates a contribution to the Jolica Foundation. The hostess chooses which of Jolica’s current projects she wants to support with her party. Current choices include providing the gift of sight in India, which provides cataract surgeries for adults to restore sight and Vitamin A supplements for children to prevent blindness, or the gift of hope in Morocco, which provides entrepreneurial training for unemployed youth.
But the parties aren’t just about a small donation. All of Jolica’s products are fair trade and artisan made. The company is known for its beautifully hand made creations from sterling silver jewelry, handwoven silk scarves to leather handbags. The products are made by local artisans from far away places such as India, Chile, Peru and Thailand.
By purchasing fair trade products, Jolica helps to support small scale businesses in communities in the developing world. Beyond that, every sale contributes to the Jolica Foundation.
Darlene Loewen, the found of Jolica, was born and raised in the Congo, Africa surrounded by artisans who created stunning works of art from handcrafted blankets and clothing to art and stunning jewelry. According to Darlene, who is now relocated to Canada with her husband and three kids, “My husband, Ted, and I arrived at a point where we realized that there has to be more to business than just profits. We wanted to create a business that would allow us to feel that maybe we had made the world a better place. We wanted to contribute in a real way. Initially we thought specifically about artisans in this context. It was awesome to realize that we could touch Gift Consultants in this way as well.”
By the way, the jewelry is gorgeous. The tagline of “the art of giving” seems pretty appropriate. If I were to do these type of in-home parties, I would definitely consider Jolica. Where else can you host a party, make some extra cash and give back at the same time?
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