BACKGROUND
It has always been our passion to work with companies and products that are worthy, yet under-the-radar. In 2018, we started working with a collective of “makers” who’s sole initiative is Fair Trade Distribution of handmade products from around the world.
This initiative is near and dear to our hearts because it empowers the actual makers of these handcrafted goods whom are often part of underserved communities.
While this collective had had some success distributing wholesale to small (and a couple rather large) retail shops around the world, they knew they couldn’t truly have the impact they wanted without scale.
When starting this project, no one had any clue just how positive their impact would become.
OUR WORK
- Designed and Developed Dropshipping Platform
- Website Redesign
- SEO/SEM
- Strategic Partnerships
- Vision, Value, Culture Statements
- Affiliate Programming
- Partner Success Packets
- Maker Success Packets
We started with their go-to-market strategy. After significant research, we decided to focus on the growing opportunities presented with drop-shipping. If we could strategically leverage their US warehouse for international shipping, we could buy more product from the makers and shift our model to enable drop-shipping to thousands of online retail customers through entrepreneurial programs and assistance.
As you might expect, this program had a lot of moving parts. We had to:
- Create an entirely new drop-shipping department.
- Change the purchasing/pricing program and marketing narrative from wholesale only to wholesale AND drop-shipping.
- Develop assistance and “success” programs for our drop-shipping customers including tutorials and digital assets.
- Strategize and develop tools for ease of ordering and fulfillment.
- Attract drop-shippers that wanted to focus on Fair Trade and Maker-To-Market Goods.
RESULTS
Over the course of three months, we were able to develop a drop-shipping model, and role out a pilot program. Within six months, we had over two dozen drop-shipping partners. Within a year, we had over 65 new drop-shipping partners.
Needless to say, we grew this aspect of the business fast – and have been learning how to better serve this community ever since.
It is estimated that the collective increased revenue by over 57% within the first year, and an additional 18% the following year. Most of which went directly to makers.
What’s Not Seen in the Data:
A project like this has obvious results, as seen by the numbers above. However, what’s not seen in numbers like these is the positive impact it has for the actual makers. Which was the bottom line for us form the start.
Through the growth of this collective, we are continuing to empower makers to not only sell their wares in otherwise inaccessible markets, but to educate a new generation of makers in their craft.
When we really look at how maker-to-market has the ability to change lives and communities, we know it has the power to resonate with the emerging consumer base and have a compounding affect on the global market.
In other words, we believe this is just the beginning.
Fair Trade Future
We believe in a global market. We believe in empowering underserved communities. We believe Fair Trade and maker-to-market initiatives – in combination with a more conscientious consumer – have the ability to change the world. And we’re grateful to be a part of that goal.
Products purchased from drop-shipping partners in first six months.
Lives positively impacted in underserved communities around the world.
Drop-Shipping Partners for the collective worldwide since program began.
Rainforest Alliance Ceritfication. One of the most respected environmental protection program in agriculture.
of Dollars raised each month for causes around the world. Much of which ends up back in maker’s communities.
Increase to Website traffic after program launch vs previous year.
