Read about the achievements of WEALF entrepreneurs in the first quarter of 2022 and the initiatives WEALF created to help our women grow and sustain their businesses.
MONDAYS HAND BUILT CERAMIC DESIGNERS DONATE A PORTION OF EACH SALE TO CHARITY
WEALF entrepreneurs Jennifer Fiore and Nina Lalli have always made helping their community a priority. Since the founding of their business in 2012, the ceramic designers have supported charities, contributing both money and pieces for auctions. When the COVID-19 began in March, they quickly took further action donating 10% of web sales and 100% of proceeds from the sale of beads to a different charitable organization each month.
In March and April, MONDAYS donated their proceeds to No Kid Hungry. Subsequently, Jennifer and Nina selected a new charity on the first of every month; beneficiaries include Services Workers Coalition, Birth Revolution, Full Hearts Full Bellies, and Mother Runners/Me Too Doula.
Asked how they choose the charities they donate to, Jennifer and Nina said: “There is so much need. We focus on what feels most pressing and impactful. At the beginning of COVID, we were thinking most of families who needed food aid and workers who had lost their incomes and had little chance of qualifying for unemployment benefits or stimulus checks.” For the rest of 2020 MONDAYS will be supporting charities that promote voting rights and fair elections. Each of us is helping in the way we can; Jennifer and Nina are using their art as a vehicle to help others.
For September, MONDAYS is donating its proceeds to Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. Visit MONDAYS website to help them support the coalition. Purchase a piece of hand-built pottery from their permanent collection of customizable tableware or a piece from their always-changing selection of unique work. Shop small, support small businesses and help them support their community.
SPADET’S SUCCESSFUL PIVOT, THE ADDITION OF HAND SANITIZER TO THEIR SKINCARE LINE
Sensitive to the current needs of customers, Annabelle Santos, founder of Spadet and WEALF entrepreneur, has added a 75% alcohol Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer to her successful organic olive oil-based skincare line. Concerned about the spread of the Coronavirus, customers were looking for alternatives to current skin drying hand sanitizers on the market. To ramp up the production of her new product, Annabelle applied for and was awarded two emergency grants. Drawing on her experience, Annabelle has been called on as a voice for small businesses appearing on television to discuss what it takes for small businesses to survive during this crisis.
When Coronavirus hit earlier this year, Annabelle, like many small business owners, asked herself, what product her company could create to meet the need of the moment. In response, Annabelle developed the alcohol-based hand sanitizer made with Spadet’s signature olive oil to moisturize the skin.
The hand sanitizer is a logical extension of Spadet’s brand and was an immediate hit with Whole Foods Market picking it up for 5 of their locations. Along with success, accelerating demand came several potential production roadblocks, including obtaining sufficient bottles and sprayers, price increases in olive oil, and efficient production of the product. To help meet the increased financial requirements to scale up Annabelle received two $10K grants, Verizon Pay it Forward, and Hello Alice’s COVID-19 Business for All Emergency Grant. Annabelle used the money to purchase the needed supplies and new equipment that will increase the brands production in the long run, making her temporary pivot a permanent change.
In May, Annabelle appeared on Verizon’s Pay it Forward broadcast with Janelle Monae and WPIX 11 news at 5 “The Rebound” and described what it takes to build a brand and how to pivot the brand to meet the moment. Watch the segments below, and visit the Spadet website to view their entire line, and enjoy free shipping and a free bottle of hand sanitizer on orders over $50.
SUSTAINABLE SNACKS LAUNCHES TWO PROGRAMS TO KEEP FRONTLINE WORKERS ENERGIZED
Rebecca Scott, founder of Sustainable Snacks, launches two programs during the pandemic to help keep essential workers energized with her plant-based snacks. Both programs are examples of how, through their companies, women founders are meeting the needs of their customers, their communities, and those on the frontlines. For her most recent program, Rebecca is teaming up with "Taste of the Bronx" to provide gift boxes to essential workers in the BronXchange and Montefiore hospital. Local non-profits support the effort.
Taste of the Bronx, originally started as a way to support local Bronx businesses, is pivoting during the pandemic to give a special treat to essential workers. In February 2019, Rebecca partnered with Paul and Anthony Ramirez to start Taste of the Bronx. The program showcases Bronx brands through quarterly boxes of curated themed products. Each box sent directly to subscribers features products and bios from 5 different Bronx companies. In addition to the boxes, Taste of the Bronx promotes local businesses with monthly PopUp markets in various locations throughout the Bronx. The pop-up markets are currently suspended, but the boxes continue to be a source of delight for subscribers and essential workers. Last month
Last month Rebecca launched her first program, #healthcareheros, to deliver snacks directly to NYC public hospitals' workers. For this program, Rebecca asked her customers to order a case of snacks, 12 bags, to be delivered directly to the workers with the help of NYC Health + Hospitals. The program is a success, so far workers have enjoyed over 378 bags of Sustainable Snacks.
MASKS FOR SHOES FROM SANT M
Min Santandrea, founder of Sant M, is asking customers to help her donate 5,000 masks to Nemours Children's Hospital. Join the effort, visit the Sant M website to donate ten masks for $50 and receive a $25 Sant M gift card as a thank you for your support. The masks are made in by Sant M's Italian contractor. During the COVID 19 pandemic the factory that usually produces Sant M's custom made, pro-comfort, anti-compromise footwear, is dedicated to the production of PPE. Min is taking this opportunity help healthcare workers in the United States at Nemours Children's hospitals get the masks they need. Each mask is washable, water-resistant, and features the colors of the Italian flag.
The masks for shoes program is featured in Forbes magazine article, Big Brands Vs. Startups: Here’s Why Authenticity Is Important, May, 27, 2020,. In the article, author Karam Singh Sethi cites a recent study stating that 43% of millennial’s believe brands need to help during the pandemic. Sethi highlights Sant M’s program as an example of a startup successfully pivoting their operations to meet real needs during this difficult time.
Visit the Sant M website to make your donation of 10 masks. Proceeds from donations will cover the cost of labor, material, and shipping.
ADD COOKING TO YOUR HOMESCHOOL PLANS WITH EAT2EXPLORE ADVENTURE BOXES
Including cooking in your homeschooling program is the perfect way to incorporate science, history, health, reading, and math into one activity. Adventure boxes from eat2explore make adding cooking to your curriculum easy and fun for the whole family. The creation of Rowena Scherer eat2explore founder and WEALF entrepreneur, each adventure box focuses on a different culture or part of the world and contains the tools you and your children need to create delicious, healthy meals right in your kitchen. Each box includes 3 recipe cards, essential spices, sauces, and grain mixes needed to prepare the meals, along with country information that will springboard your lesson plans into new territory each month. Shopping for the fresh ingredients you need to make the meals is easy; follow the shopping list included in each box.
The country you explore each month through food can be the same country you plan your history, geography, and social studies lessons around. Visit the eat2explore website for blogs on each region to enhance your lesson plan. When your adventure box arrives read through each card and the recipes with your child. Practice descriptive writing and ask your children to write about what the dishes will taste like before you prepare them. Cooking the meals together will create lasting memories as a family while your child learns how to cook.
In March, CNN Underscored named eat2explore adventure boxes on of the top 20 activities to keep your kids occupied while at home. Where will this month’s eat2explore adventure take you? Visit the company’s website to plan your adventure and order your adventure box today.
