What if you could buy one item and support two charitable causes? And how could a business even pull that off?
beyondBeanie has it all figured out. Their company markets a wide range of accessories, but the truly amazing aspect is that each purchase is a catalyst for two results:
- Empowering an artisan from Bolivia who created the piece.
- Helping a Bolivian orphan who needs meals, school supplies, or school uniforms.
- Bonus: Having a cute new beanie. (Or beyond.)
One thing I love about beyondBeanie’s site is the way that they lay out the value of each purchase in a very simple way, literally saying, “Every product that you buy helps make a difference.” Sometimes nonprofit marketing professionals become so immersed in the details of their cause that they forget the impact that a simple statement can have.
Many nonprofits are also founded upon pure, simple ideas that spark from seeing someone in need and realizing that you actually have the power to help them. For the founder of beyondBeanie, Tito Alvarez, it began during a trip to Bolivia last year to visit his friend, Paty Lucero.
Tito noticed that the streets of La Paz were filled with women artisans selling handmade woolen products, as well as street children selling food, performing, or begging. He decided to buy a few of the colorful beanies from the artisans before returning to his home in Switzerland. After getting several compliments on his new hats, the concept of beyondBeanies was born.
His friend, Paty, met with many artisans in Bolivia to foster the collaboration.
“Several were single mothers with little or no education who struggled to provide their children with basic necessities such as food and appropriate winter clothing. Many did not have confidence in themselves and put little or no value in their work. Wanting to change this situation, the founding team evolved the brand to make it one where every product carries the signature of the artisan who made it which boosts the artisans’ self-esteem and teaches them to take pride in their beautiful work.”
I liked the way they illustrated the emotional impact that your purchase can have: beyond saying that buying their product “helps someone in need,” they allude to the artisans’ self-esteem.
Their concept also reminds me how lucky I am. Imagine what these women have gone through. It shines a light on luxuries that I know I’ve taken for granted, from my education to choosing a career path. If you’re a creative professional who’s struggling to choose your biggest passion, be grateful you have that choice to make, in addition to the resources to bring it to life.
Before I get too emotional, let’s take a look at some of their beautiful pieces! They sell everything from beanies to bags, ponchos, gloves, scarves, headbands, and children’s items, but here are my personal favorites:
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Shop the rest here, and don’t forget to follow beyondBeanie on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Maybe you’ll actually get a head start on buying Christmas gifts for once!
Here’s to being cozy and making a difference,
Callie Rose
