How This Small Town Boutique is Making a Global Impact with Jen Olson
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Did you know that Starbucks generated $25 billion dollars in annual revenue in 2019 while human trafficking generated more than $150 billion in the same calendar year?
My guest today, Jennifer Olson, opens up about the atrocities happening around the globe and right under our noses.
Who is Jen Olson?
Jen is founder of Jars of Hope and Mosaic Collective - 2 businesses that help fight human trafficking and advocate for the world’s most vulnerable.
In college was when Jen realized that she could turn her passion into a business. With a professor saying that her brand could be the next Toms shoes, she is pursuing a dream that God has put in her heart to help those at risk both locally and globally, and cannot wait to see all that He has in store.
One day it’s Jen’s hope to be able to invest and employ people that are most vulnerable in our community.
What is Fair Trade?
Before I worked with Jen, I really didn’t know exactly what fair trade was, but she breaks it down for us on today’s episode. Fair trade is acknowledging humanity behind the products that we buy.
It is making sure that people are taken care of, making sure they receive a fair wage to take care of their families. Fair trade is seeing the quality in a person and giving them a dignified job.
Whether those individuals are in human trafficking, homelessness, or refugees - the list goes on and fair trade acknowledges and helps those individuals.
Ways That We Can Make a Difference
There are so many people around the world who desperately need our help. I think we can all agree that after hearing Jen’s story and her explaining the things she has seen and learned - we all have our eyes opened a little more.
The big question is, how do we help?
To start, educating ourselves and being informed on this topic will grow our understanding of what people are experiencing and give a direction on where/how to help. Jen speaks out about when she was first learning, she listened to many podcasts and watched documentaries.
Another way we can help is something as simple as having intentionality behind our shopping - impacting for the good of people and their families. Finding out what businesses are fair trade or sell fair trade products is a huge step. There are even some business, like Target that we may not expect to sell fair trade products.
Yes, these products can be more expensive however, the purpose behind shopping is “why am I doing this?” not “how can I save money?”. As Jen says, “cheap products always come at a cost to someone else”.
More from Jen
Jen was amazing to have on the podcast and has inspired me to be more intentional with my shopping. To learn more about Jen and Mosaic Collective, you can connect with her on Instagram @mosaiccollective_ or online mosaicco.org.
Be sure to listen to today’s full episode on The BrandWell Podcast to hear more about Jen and her mission to help those in need.
KEEP BRANDING WELL,
Victoria
