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Our Voices Rising: One CEO's Journey to Alleviate Poverty Using Fashion as a Force for Good
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Gretchen Huijskens is co-founder and CEO of Trades of Hope, a multi-million dollar ethical fashion brand that empowers women out of poverty by partnering with Artisan Partners in over 15 countries worldwide. It is an exclusive line of high-quality, fair-trade accessories that allow people worldwide to use Fashion as a Force for Good.™
Our Voices Rising is Gretchen's inspirational origin story about the start of Trades of Hope, after her first-hand experience of starting a charity in Haiti in the early 2000s. The charity included an orphanage, school, and medical clinic, but led Gretchen to the a realization that most orphans in her care were only orphans because their mothers couldn’t afford to care for them. Gretchen’s perception of helping shifted when she realized the uncomfortable that her charity was often just a band-aid on the real problems.
Gretchen completely changed her worldview and model of charity to a sustainable business model that empowered women to provide what their families really access to education, medical care, nutritious food, a safe home, and clean water. Today Gretchen and the team at Trades of Hope continue to help women rise out of poverty, trafficking, and gender inequality by selling their fair-trade goods with small business support of women across the United States. Gretchen is a pioneer in the field of sustainable business, and the partnerships she creates empower every single woman involved around the world.
Gretchen Huijskens is co-founder and CEO of Trades of Hope, a multi-million dollar ethical fashion brand that empowers women out of poverty by partnering with Artisan Partners in over 15 countries worldwide. It is an exclusive line of high-quality, fair-trade accessories that allow people worldwide to use Fashion as a Force for Good.™
Our Voices Rising is Gretchen's inspirational origin story about the start of Trades of Hope, after her first-hand experience of starting a charity in Haiti in the early 2000s. The charity included an orphanage, school, and medical clinic, but led Gretchen to the a realization that most orphans in her care were only orphans because their mothers couldn’t afford to care for them. Gretchen’s perception of helping shifted when she realized the uncomfortable that her charity was often just a band-aid on the real problems.
Gretchen completely changed her worldview and model of charity to a sustainable business model that empowered women to provide what their families really access to education, medical care, nutritious food, a safe home, and clean water. Today Gretchen and the team at Trades of Hope continue to help women rise out of poverty, trafficking, and gender inequality by selling their fair-trade goods with small business support of women across the United States. Gretchen is a pioneer in the field of sustainable business, and the partnerships she creates empower every single woman involved around the world.
232 pages, Paperback
Published June 11, 2023
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March 20, 2025
This would have been read in one sitting, had life not gotten in the way. Her journey from comfortable housewife wanting to adopt a child, to building an orphanage in Haiti, to realizing sometimes charity did more harm than good, is fascinating. If you have been in the direct sales industry, or had a dream that took you beyond your wildest imaginings, you will find this a Good Read.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review