When talking about redemptive entrepreneurship and the correlation between commercial business and social business to create a business that is for the social good, I think of one of my favorite coffee shops in Wheaton, IL.
My Half of The Sky is the perfect marriage of a coffee shop and boutique in the heart of Wheaton, IL. Started by social justice advocate and entrepreneur, Renee Pollino, Renee wanted to create a business under the realm of Social Enterprise to end poverty and trafficking. The My Half of The Sky website says this about the business,
“Social Enterprises utilize the marketplace to build revenue in order to support low-income artisans, locally and in developing nations, move toward economic self-sufficiency, while allowing value driven individuals to promote sustainability and opportunities to alleviate poverty and prevent human trafficking. Artisans receive fair wages, education, financial and technical assistance, and have safe working conditions, which promotes respectful relationships between business partnerships” (Our Mission).
When you enjoy a steaming cup of delicious coffee or a handcrafted leather bag from My Half of The Sky, a proceed of the money paid for that good is donated to help end poverty and trafficking right here in the United States, but also in countries around the world. The reason Renee choose a coffee shop and boutique was for 2 reasons, one being because through purchasing a cup of coffee the company is able to pay the coffee farmers the fair wages they deserve for their hard work. And second, the goods sold in the boutique are hand-crafted by survivors of human trafficking and by people in impoverished countries, so when you purchase one of those products the proceeds go to helping those people get back on their feet.
Renee Pollino and My Half of The Sky is a great example of integrating the duty we as Christians have to love our neighbor with passion and business. Through providing excellent products and service to their customers while simultaneously providing the opportunity of a better life to people in the community, customers can help make the world a better place by giving their business to My Half of the Sky.
“Our Mission.” Home, www.myhalfofthesky.org/about-us.
This sounds like an incredible idea by Renee. I love that while she is doing business, that business is ultimately for a larger purpose: ending poverty and upholding social justice.
First things first, I want coffee now! Secondly, coffee and goods for redemptive purposes sounds like a match made in heaven. I like how they emphasize supporting their community in their mission statement. I’ll have to stop by when I am in the area sometime!