Trades of Hope // Sponsor Spotlight
Today’s post is written by Holy Hen House sponsor Kari Seibel – a compassionate entrepreneur of Trades of Hope. Have you heard of Trades of Hope? Trades of Hope was founded in 2010 by four incredible women, a pair of mother/daughter duos, who believe that all women should be empowered and have a chance to create a better life for themselves and their families regardless of their circumstances. By creating jobs and sustainable, income-generating businesses, by selling their handmade, fair trade accessories and home decor items here in the US, our artisans are able break the cycle of poverty, feed and take care of their families, and send their children to school. This is not a charity—this is an opportunity to help someone earn a living and also earn dignity and respect in their community!
So many women live in poverty, not because they lack abilities, but because they lack opportunity. Trades of Hope began to give women that opportunity for a better life. Each woman has a story, and with Trades of Hope's help, their story has changed from pain and struggle to a story of HOPE!
We work with the artisans themselves and organizations that are helping women in difficult circumstances. Some women have been rescued from sex slavery. Others are raising handicapped children alone. Some are in war torn countries and others have AIDS. These women have never had the chances we've had, yet they are just like us in so many ways. They love their families and hope and dream of a better life for them.
I was first introduced to Trades of Hope back in 2012 and I immediately fell in love with the company's heart, soul and mission of empowering women out of poverty. But a direct sales company? Home parties? No, thank you. I had spent YEARS avoiding anything to do with direct sales and home parties.
So I attempted to put Trades of Hope out of my mind because I am just not a home party kind of gal thank you very much. However, it was very hard to stop thinking of Trades of Hope. It lingered in the back of my mind for a long time. Fast forward to the summer of 2013 I took the plunge. With a little extra birthday money I bought my kit and signed on as a Compassionate Entrepreneur but I told myself I still was not going to do home parties. No way. No how. I figured I could buy pretty accessories for myself and to give as gifts and if anyone else wanted to order something - great.
Did you know there are a half million kiddos in the orphanages of Haiti? Not because they no longer have living relatives but because their parents an longer afford to feed them. I didn't know, realize or understand the tough choices other mama's make on a daily basis. Tough and unimaginable choices. Joining Trades of Hope was an eye opening experience for me and now that I knew I could not turn a blind eye to these women and the choices they were facing. But home parties? My heart seemed to faint with the thought.
At the same time, my youngest had just turned one and was going through a crazy growth spurt. One of those growth spurts where he was shoveling food in his mouth with both hands - all day long. One day I just looked at him eating for the 10th time that day and thought I am so blessed to be able to let him eat until he is full. It would break my heart to not be able to feed my kiddos. I sat at the table and cried. That was when I decided I was all in with Trades of Hope. I have young kiddos so I couldn't just sell everything to move to 3rd world country. Plus I think my husband would have had something to say about it too, but with Trades of Hope I can do my little bit from my own little corner to help change the world for mamas and other women facing tough choices because of poverty.
In addition to helping mamas keep, feed and educate their babies, I have grown so much personally on this crazy, beautiful journey with Trades of Hope. It has grown me in ways I never imagined. God's ways are certainly not my ways. I even do home parties now. Regularly. I finally GET IT! Direct sales companies are about having a job you love being a part of and helping your own family out financially. Trades of Hope is an amazing company that is helping women get out of poverty by providing them with sustainable jobs so they can create a better future for their own families. Together we are making an impact on the world around us.
So hopefully you are thinking, “Wow. This is a great organization! What can I do now?!”
Well, there are 3 ways you can be a part of Trades of Hope:
1. Host a party! Hosting a party is wonderful way to take it to the next level and really impact a greater number of lives. Hosting can be traditional home parties, a catalog party at work, an online event on Facebook, a happy hour/coffee shop gathering or even a playdate. The hostess rewards are great—lots of free and half price products for hostesses. I would love to partner with you to bring Trades of Hope to your friends.
2. JOIN. I continue to be blown away by the blessings that I continue to see in representing Trades of Hope. I am able to set my own schedule and stay home with my kiddos. Email me for more details at klseibel@gmail.com about how you can join this life changing journey.
3. The easiest and most immediate thing you can do is SHOP. Just use this link www.mytradesofhope.com/kariseibel. Hopefully you have seen that Trades of Hope products are not only lovely, unique and affordable, but the soul and spirit behind them is what makes them truly beautiful. I’m sure you can find a gift to buy, for a friend, loved one or yourself.
