The countdown to Christmas is well and truly on. You might have already started dreaming or even buying (um… #organised!) gifts for family, friends and colleagues. Ticking off your gifts at this time of year can feel never-ending and a little overwhelming. The good news? We’re here with a list of 10 of our favourite social enterprises to buy from (in New Zealand and further abroad).
Not all our All Good Ventures social enterprises sell consumer products but a few of them do; so we've listed them at the top, numbers 1-3. The subsequent social enterprises, numbers 7-10, are additional personal-favourites of the All Good Ventures team.
By supporting these businesses you’re not only investing in unique and high quality products for those you love, you’re also helping to transform the lives of others! Here we go…
- Morningside Urban Market Garden
This one’s for the Aucklanders with a green thumb! MUMG is a social enterprises All Good Ventures has supported in the past and we love their work. They sell a variety of seedlings and microgreens; both as one-offs and by subscription. Profits go towards supporting migrant and refugee-background women in Auckland who are employed (part time) to grow microgreens and edible flowers at their two Auckland sites.
New Zealand based, ships Auckland wide. - The Good Karma Company
French Pear, Sweet Pea and Jasmine, Black Raspberry and Vanilla… it’s easy to imagine just how amazing these scented candles smell. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, Bhavisha sells an impressive variety of beautiful scented candles with 100% of profits going towards educating children in Fiji. As a supporter of The Good Karma Company, the All Good Ventures team has experienced first-hand just how nice these products are – you won’t be disappointed.
New Zealand based, ships New Zealand wide. - *Adili Africa
Another one of our 2021 All Good Ventures, it’s no wonder we’re flying this business’ flag. Adili Africa sells intricately crafted baskets, bags and more. Each product is made by Nairobi artisans living in extreme poverty. Profits enable artisans to make a living for their families, and participate in Adili Africa’s holistic health programmes. *You’ll note their website is not yet live, BUT they’re aiming for before Christmas – so try this link in the coming weeks if it’s something you’d like to support: www.adiliafrica.com.
Kenya based, ships worldwide. - Common Good Coffee
We all know a coffee lover or two. This one’s for them! Get your fair trade coffee from Common Good, and know that profits will be reinvested into making positive change in four impoverished communities in Kolkata, India, via their partner Joyya.
New Zealand based, ships nationwide. - Frank Stationery
Lovers of beautiful stationery, rejoice! This business creates notebooks, diaries, journals and planners using a buy-one give-one model. For every item sold, they donate a school book to a child living in poverty, and to this day they have given over 75,000 exercise books to kids in need.
New Zealand based, ships worldwide. - Joyya
Tees, aprons, hoodies, masks and more; Joyya caters to all your bag and apparel needs. All their products are made under fair trade working conditions and they only use sustainable or organic materials. Profits are re-invested back to the communities in Kolkata, India, that create their wide array of products.
India based, ships worldwide. - The Loyal Workshop
This is the place to go for high-quality eco-leather goods. The Loyal Workshop sells beautiful bags, satchels, belts, wallets and more. Their artisans are women from backgrounds of poverty, each with their own story of trauma and oppression from Kolkata’s sex trade. Profits are used to pay their artisans a fair wage and free more women from the red light district.
India based, ships worldwide. - The Paper Rain Project
One for the hipsters among us, this social enterprise specialises in ethical streetwear and skateboard art made out of recycled wine barrels. They pair each artwork with a New Zealand charity to which profits are donated, including Kid's Can, Silverline Otago and Trees That Count.
New Zealand based, ships worldwide. - Zay Bags
Zay Bags sells colourful hand-woven bags from the streets of Myanmar; each made from upcycled pallet tape or rattan. Profits are used support their weavers to work from their homes with sustainable incomes. Their weavers receive between 20 to 50 percent more profit working with Zay, than if they sold on the streets.
New Zealand based, ships nationwide. - 27 Seconds
A bottle of wine never goes amiss as a festive gift. Purchase yours from 27 Seconds and you’ll help free people from modern day slavery. All profit goes to the company’s partner, Hagar, which provides intensive recovery care to survivors of slavery, trafficking and severe abuse in Cambodia and Vietnam and humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.
New Zealand based, ships nationwide.
Lastly, it would be remiss not include All Good Ventures on this list 😉. After all, we’ve developed a pretty delicious gift for you to purchase for your friends and whānau. We’re selling vintage 1.25l jars packed to the brim with Kiwi lollies and chocolate, accompanied by a gift card for your personal message. All profits go back into All Good Ventures; we support social entrepreneurs worldwide to start their own freedom businesses.
New Zealand based, ships single items nationwide (or pickup in Hamilton).
Merry Christmas and happy shopping, from All Good Ventures!
