Ladies Who Launch: Shopping for Good

Ladies Who Launch: Michelle Madhok

The Ladies Who Launch series gives members of the Ladies Who Launch Incubator a platform for sharing their stories of giving back and doing good through their business'.

Here's a fun question: Is there anything redeemable about shopping? What if a new pair of shoes could help a starving child? How great would it be if the proceeds of our whimsical purchases could fund filling a belly, saving a life, funding research?

More and more fashion, beauty and lifestyle e and retailers are making it possible for people to feel good about looking good. What an optimistic trend! Here, New York Incubator member Michelle Madhok kills two birds with one stone; target your shopping and find that giving back is much more palatable proposition.

-Amy Swift, Editor in Chief, www.ladieswholaunch.com

Michelle Madhok, SheFinds.com and MomFinds.com:

Running SheFinds.com, I often find myself having to defend what I do. The questions tend to be the same: don't you get bored writing about shopping, fashion and beauty all the time? Do you think people really care that much about shopping? Wouldn't you rather do something that actually made a difference?

After getting over my initial annoyance and not-so-subtle relegations of superficiality, I calmly explain that shopping actually does (or can) make a difference. To start with, I like to think people who shop are inherently doing something nice for the economy and their mental health. We're all so busy and it's easy to get caught up in our daily activities that I think it's important (even necessary) to take time out and just do something for you. It doesn't matter, in this case, whether you buy. It's more about perusing, admiring, enjoying and looking. Some may call that selfish; but I happen to believe it's personal (and mental health) maintenance.

And as if taking care of yourself isn't reason enough, proud shoppers can also take comfort in knowing that their purchases can multi-purpose. Take our OCRF campaign, for example (yes, shameless plug, but it fits.) A portion of the proceeds earned from the sales of this gorgeous jewelry from independent designers goes directly to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, which works to raise awareness and find a cure for thisdeadly disease. Through this promotion we're also able to help build awareness of small jewelry designers and most are women building a business based on their passion. That's an endeavor I both relate to and want to support.

There are many sites where you can give as well as get when you shop. BuildaNest.com connects artisans in impoverished countries to consumers like you and me who can buy their products and help build their business. Shopbop.com is selling a really cute exclusive Marc Jacobs bracelet and 50% of the profits will go to the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. ShopFemme.com has a great selection of clothing and accessories, and every month they donate 5% of their profits to charities that benefit women. There's also GreaterGood.com where you can buy basically anything and choose where your money will be donated.

See, shopping gets a bad rap. If you shop in the right places, you can put your retail therapy to doubly good use. If a new pair of earrings help save a life, who's going to hold it against you?

 

Follow Amy Swift on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SMARTYAmy

Comments

[BeverlyD]

02:20 AM on 10/07/2007

Ladies, ladies, ladies, even if purchasing something wasn't attached to donating to a charitable endeavor, your shopping is supporting millions of people who create the products. Feeding the kids of the shoemakers, dressmakers, all the employees that work and all the middlemen that have gotten that merchandise to your door. It builds commerce and business. Women have such an impact on the world economy simply with that pleasure of shopping. I would say it is a spiritual experience, creating living spirit and energy for cities and individuals associated with the sale. So shop to your heart's content...some child is getting a pair of shoes today!

[spiritedgrl]

03:04 PM on 10/06/2007

Shopping with a purpose! Love it, Michelle. I think shopping is a wonderful thing though shopping with feelings of guilt is a sign of something to look deeper within yourself. But ah shopping with a purpose and shopping responsibly... it's so refreshing to see more shops like this. It creates awareness for the many wonderful causes out there. It also reinforces that more and more people do want to help and if this is a way for them to do that, it makes it even more pleasurable... and why not!

[Lauri]

04:42 PM on 10/04/2007

So true. I remember selling designer shoes when I was younger, and feeling a bit superficial about it. But the economy does need responsible spending. Charitable giving attached to that spending makes it even better and turns guilty pleasures into things like cancer research. Buying and selling shoes, jewelry, and even custom portraits turns into a worthwhile endeavor. I need to go to your site and do some shopping!