Why a new blog?
An olive tree grove. Photo credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Olive_trees_on_Thassos.JPG
I'm a notorious blog starter and a failed blog maintainer. This could be attributed to many factors, which have had various levels of impact over the years, however I think the biggest reason can be summed up with one word: time. You see, I've been very busy, what with making babies, finishing my degree, and working outside of the home here and there. But that's about to change! The babies are made and the degree is almost in the bag (August 8, 2013!!!!), so unless I find a full time job outside of the home (because being a stay-at-home-parent is a full time job inside of the home), I will have more time to fill these empty (web) pages with my many thoughts, though in general they will be tied to one thing: sustainable development, fashion, and how to affect change with our livelihoods.
For the past three years, I have studied sustainable development as a part of my Global Studies major, and I have so much that I want to share. To effectively do that in a way that is appealing to (most of) the masses, I'm pairing it with a new professional venture. I have decided to become an Ambassador (independent sales representative) for Noonday Collection. While I have much I want to share about this venture this post serves to discuss why I'm doing it rather than about the specific company.
I have had a heart and priority for Fair Trade goods for quite awhile, however I couldn't articulate why one should buy them, other than, "Because they are paid fair wages." This, thankfully, has changed in the last few years as I realized Fair Trade goods are a means for true sustainable development. For too long, aid based development has been the norm, but it's entirely unsustainable as it requires the giving of money from one to another, and often this money is given with conditions which may not serve the region/people it's meant to serve. However, as we have seen with the microfinance boom of late, rebuilding industries that have been lost during colonialism or conflict and are based upon fair wages is sustainable model for development, as people are exchanging money for goods. (However, there are times when donated dollars are very necessary.)
When you combine this with the conditions many laborers around the world work in, you begin to see the necessity for Fair Trade goods and conscientious consumerism which demand fair wages and working conditions. Asking myself "who made this necklace?", "for what purpose will I use this bowl?", or "what is the environmental cost of buying three more poorly constructed shirts" has opened my eyes to how and why I spend my money, and it has made me more aware of how powerful my dollar is (that and my voice, but more on that in another post). However, even with my college education centered around sustainable development, in addition to my conscientious spirit, I still make mistakes and purchase things that I don't need. Or use my car more than my bike. Or purchase foods that utilize agricultural practices that I don't support. I am, after all, human.
With all this said, I plan to use my blog to narrate my personal journey and my growing business. I hope to reach at least one person through this blog. Some posts may read more academic, some like business, and yet others will showcase my quirky sense of humor. It will have stories and news, beauty and sadness, rants and solutions. But most of all, I hope to be held accountable with my actions and my words through this blog, and I hope to grow immensely through my experience as a Noonday Collection ambassador.
