If you just know that you are doing the wrong job, or maybe there's a nagging feeling at the back of your mind telling you that it just doesn't 'feel right' - don't ignore it! Sarah Barnard acted on her feelings and turned a good idea into a great business...that's helping make a difference at the same time.
Why I do what I do
In 2000 I had my first child, a boy. I went back to work full time, put him in a nursery and struggled to balance our lives financially and emotionally. In 2003 I had a daughter. I went on maternity leave fully intending to return. I put my daughter in nursery and planned to return full time.
Then my self discovery truly began. While on maternity leave I started to think about how we rely on mass produced resources, how many children don’t know that milk comes from cows. I started to think how each individual person could make a difference in the world, how we can each change a little and make a difference in our impact on the environment.
I set up Ethics Trading (http://ethicstrading.com) and never went back to work.
Note: If you’re thinking about this then please check your company policy on pay and rights.
Ethical fashion too
Ethics Trading has a twofold approach. As the name suggests I am trading in an ethical fashion as well as trading in ethical goods. I believe strongly that the Fair Trade business model is the way forward for all business and I really can’t see the point in secrecy and corporate nastiness.
So, Ethics Trading is open, honest and transparent and I love it. It’s honest and it generates so much positive energy in being honest and transparent that it attracts positivity too. I get such a buzz out of running my own business, being able to be here for my children and I’m doing as much as I can for the environment too. Being able to dig my garden more and write as well is an added bonus.
Only the best
I only stock products that are natural in their ingredients, slightly unusual, ethically produced and minimise their impact on the earth and its peoples in manufacture, transport and use. I do the best I can although sometimes there is no real proof. It’s part of the honesty though, sometimes you have to trust. I also only stock products that I use and love and would happily give to friends and family as gifts. So, what are the products then?
Soap nuts
Mainly it’s soap nuts. What? Soap nuts? These are smallish leathery brown berries, each about the size of the end of your thumb. They’re brilliant! You take about 25g of just the shells, pop them in a small cotton washing bag, tie it up tight and throw it in the washing machine with your laundry, then turn on the machine. Yes, it’s that easy!
You can add essential oils if you want but you don’t have to. The beauty of these little things is that they can be used to clean anything and they grow on trees. Yes, soap that grows on trees. How neat is that?
Soap nuts aren’t expensive, are gentle on your clothes and skin and are completely eco friendly. They start life growing on a tree, don’t need loads of manufacturing and then when they’re used up they can go on your compost heap. Want to know more? Then check out http://www.ethicstrading.com/soapnuts.html
So, your clothes get clean, along with anything else that needs soapy water and the planet isn’t damaged. Neither is your health. Your eczema and dry skin clears up. What a great feeling!
New ideas
I’m always looking for new ideas, new products and new ways of doing things. I love and thrive on the challenges of self employment and I find the positive feelings generated by this business so incredibly exciting. It’s great that I can share them with you through the products I sell. I love and use all the products in stock and wouldn’t sell anything if I didn’t feel that way.
For me it’s all about enjoying what I do, making the most of every moment and finding the positive in every day.
