kirstie McLellan Day kirstie McLellan Day - The MOMpreneur
kirstie McLellan Day kirstie McLellan Day - The MOMpreneur
kirstie McLellan Day kirstie McLellan Day - The MOMpreneur
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Our TransFair licensed suppliers buy our shea and cocoa<br />
butters, cocoa powder, sugar and coffee fairly from Africa,<br />
Paraguay and the Dominican Republic. This allows the<br />
producers and their families to raise themselves out of<br />
poverty and live a sustainable life.<br />
We do also believe in supporting local farmers and businesses<br />
and we purchase all of our non fair trade ingredients as close<br />
to home as we can find them.<br />
Q: How did you find your fair trade suppliers?<br />
TransFair Canada runs a pretty tight ship and they update<br />
their list of licensees very frequently. <strong>The</strong>y are a great source<br />
of information and have put us into contact with our current<br />
supplier. A real sense of security comes from knowing that<br />
our suppliers and producers are also following the strict<br />
guidelines set out by TransFair. We know that they have been<br />
produced in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way.<br />
We have the peace of mind knowing that we are all working<br />
towards the same goal.<br />
Q: Have you visited the factories where the<br />
ingredients are produced?<br />
Sadly not yet but we plan to. In the meantime we have<br />
pictures and stories about the co-ops and the amazing women<br />
and men who work in them.<br />
Q: What type of international agreements<br />
are required?<br />
Because we aren’t purchasing directly from the producer, we<br />
ourselves don’t require any sort of international agreement.<br />
Q: What is your annual revenue?<br />
In 2009 our sales were under $100,000. Our sales in the first<br />
quarter of 2010 are triple what they were last year. By 2011,<br />
our goal is to reach sales that are significantly higher than<br />
$100,000.<br />
Q: What advice would you give a Mompreneur<br />
who is thinking about developing a business<br />
that requires international ingredients or<br />
components?<br />
• Take the time to research the entire supply chain.<br />
• Always request samples especially if you will be purchasing<br />
in large quantities.<br />
• Ask for documentation whether it be organic certification,<br />
certificate of compliance or any other type of certification<br />
that the supplier is claiming.<br />
• Know your lead times for production and shipping.<br />
Stacey Guymer, left, and her mother, Rose Creamer knew from the start they wanted<br />
to develop products that would also offer a global benefit.<br />
26 <strong>MOMpreneur</strong> ® � July/August 2010<br />
Photo courtesy of Sweet Leaf Bath Co.
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