It’s Monday the 6th of January and the world is on fire. Quite literally, there are fires raging all over Australia. Many folks have been displaced and more animals have died or lost their homes than we can accurately count. The US is warmongering, and the next steps are uncertain.
It’s a hard day to feel optimistic about the world we’re living in. There is so much large scale stuff happening that I cannot control. I do some things, as a person, which helps. I buy clothes second hand or from makers who practice slow fashion and create quality that will last. I eat local food whenever I can. I vote.
As we know companies, not people, use the most resources, so perhaps the biggest impact I can make is to make Volante Design as green as possible. We ship in cardboard boxes and not in bubble wrap sleeves whenever possible. We have been looking into compostable plastic sleeves for our smaller products, you may have seen them if you’ve ordered recently. We use recycled paper, we use recycled printer cartridges, lots of little things that we can do. We recycle. Most of our office furniture came from free piles, our moms, yard sales.
The biggest thing we do is make things that will serve you for a long time. Do you know Burberry threw out 38 MILLION DOLLARS of inventory in ONE YEAR according to Forbes Magazine July 2018 edition?
Can you believe that? The typical “luxury retailer” is outrageously wasteful. This is just one example. Small businesses are different. At Volante Design we are very aware of our resources, both environmentally as well as financially. We think lean, we make small batches, we’re very careful. We’ve fought hard to price things in a way that we cannot mark them down. We want to give you the best value we can while staying in business. We would never ever throw out a jacket. Heck, we don’t like to throw away our fabric scraps, we donate them whenever possible.
It’s not always obvious what the difference is between one coat or another. Learn about the process, learn about the company and think critically. Who do you want to support? You can vote in small ways with your dollar. I’m not saying it should be Volante Design all the time. (Yes, I know this is not what you’re supposed to say as a business person. But I’m not trying to sell you Volante Design, I’m trying to tell you what I believe in and how we’ve evolved Volante Design in response to that.)
Some companies that I respect their process-
Timbuk2 - They recycle old bags for parts and they also have a repair program. They make their products in the USA. One reason we haven’t made a ton of bags is because they do them so well. Maybe one day we will be able to help you re-sell your coats that don’t fit you anymore. Right now we don’t have the (hu)manpower.
American Giant - They make primarily solid basics. They’re American made and great quality.
Everlane - They are not US manufacturing, but they are amazingly transparent about their sourcing, pricing, and process. I hope one day we’ll have this sort of organization. I think it’s really radical.
I know there are so many more. These are just a few I immediately thought of. Send me yours. There’s a lot we don’t have control over, but together we can change how things work. Our actions matter.
At Nerd Cred, I take nerdy Items like dice and keyboard keys and create jewelry pieces. My shop on Etsy has enjoyed moderate success, but to take our creations to the next level, we need help from the community. Ultimately, our goal is to bring items to you via conventions and shows. We have a lot of work to do, and we’re not afraid to roll up our sleeves but we need you to give us that chance. We can’t make it alone. So I’m asking for your support. - http://kck.st/1dZHym0
New item up, this is the Gatherer Cowl, which is a very terrible play on words because this is made up mostly of a hunter green but since both I and my shop are vegan the word hunter just wouldn’t go. So it became a gatherer or forager green….what did I tell you, a horrible play on words hahaha. Anywho next few items to go up will be sewn items as most of my Yule gifts (that I said I left to basically last minute) are mostly knit and to try to divi up my time between both knittings is killing my hands.
Black Celebrity Fashion Designer & Stylist: Mugzy McFly
New York City fashion designer and entrepreneur Jevaughn Williams, better known as Mugzy McFly, has made his childhood dream come true with Signed By McFly. Bronx-based fashion guru has worked with celebrities like Maino, Doja Cat and Post Malone and was chosen to enter the GRAMMY Awards this year. He owns pop-up shops to highlight BIPOC’s…
Christmas is on its way! You know what that means? Supporting small businesses! Do you like flowers? Know anyone that loves flowers? Looking for some wall art? Need some knickknacks, pretty pillows or a new travel coffee mug? Behold, my shop! Here to provide a little bit of nature’s beauty. Support a Black small business this holiday season and fill your life with flowers that don’t need watering!
Need some photography for blogs or just to have nice backgrounds on your devices? Want even more print options, including exclusive photos? Check out my other shop by checking out my shop on picfair! Support a disabled, Black creator this holiday season!
If even 10%!!! of all my followers clicked the link to my website the traffic would soar please help a small business out by clicking the link to my store and reblogging this post ✨ I would really really appreciate it ❤️
All-natural, hair & skin care created for the modern African woman. Our unique blends of fresh flowers, essential oils, herbs and plant butters restore, nurture and celebrate the very essence of our melanin! Visit us today for you hair & skin care needs!
Happy Hitchcocktober! I’m having an ALL MONTH sale of my art at my Etsy store ➡️ www.etsy.com/shop/RuneWorksProductions. 15% off EVERY item (Hitchcock and non-Hitchcock) and a free tote bag if you spend over $85. Let’s celebrate the master of suspense, his fair-haired leading ladies, and the month of horror culminating in Halloween!
“I just enjoy seeing people thrive and succeed…I have the ability to help them, so I’m happy to do that. I have the technical know-how, and I have experience, and I have a network that’s equally experienced and technical. “
Penn State alumna, Quinta Nwanosike Warren, made a strategic career shift after realizing she wanted to do her part in making a positive impact in the world. Through months of traveling, Warren identified her passion and used that to found her own company – Energy Research Consulting. Now serving as CEO, she helps provide energy and water solutions to sell businesses around the world.
Read more about Warren and her positive impact at Penn State News.
