FAIR Talks Podcast (Fair Trade LA)

Stop and smell the fair trade roses! This week’s conversation goes behind the scenes of Florecal, an established fair trade flower producer. Our guest, Jaime, shares why Florecal’s location in Ecuador is perfectly situated for growing flowers and how the government works with producers to create a healthy, equitable working environment. He describes the different kinds of programs that support their employee’s holistic wellbeing and how shifting mindsets helped their employees embrace fair trade practices. Finally, Jaime gives profound examples showcasing why fair trade is a vehicle for social wellbeing.

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The doctor is in! Join Elisha for this insightful conversation with Ryan Zinn, Regenerative Projects Manager at Dr. Bronner’s. He discusses the company’s pioneering efforts in the early days of the business to ensure their products cared for people and the planet, and shares what he’s learned helping farmers incorporate fair trade and organic practices into their agricultural rhythms. Ryan also shares why the company chose Fair for Life certification and discusses the importance of regenerative agriculture for their farmer partners in addressing both the climate crisis and fair labor practices. Finally, he and Elisha consider how the fair trade approach stabilizes farmer incomes, particularly in light of changing market demands.

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Ever wondered what a typical day is like for someone who benefits from a fair trade enterprise? Join Elisha for a special episode with Daniel Sainnatus, a local leader in Haiti working to foster change. He shares how education has impacted what he believes is possible and the lessons he’s learned from starting a business, while also highlighting the ways that fair trade businesses have given him opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be available to him. He describes what an average day in a local village is like and the challenges of finding water, electricity, and other basic needs. Finally, Daniel and Elisha discuss why it’s so important for him to stay in Haiti and bring change to his village.

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Friendship, fair trade, and freedom for trafficking survivors?! Yes please! Join us for a conversation with the founders of The Tote Project as they share their journey to launching an anti-trafficking business while maintaining a strong friendship. Fay and Michelle share how they’ve grown their business on fair trade principles, streamlined how they educate customers about human trafficking, and how they keep going on tough days. Finally, they share poignant advice for running a business with a friend and staying flexible through life’s challenges and transitions. 

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Are hand embroidery, fashion, refugee resettlement, and women’s empowerment connected? This week’s guest will tell you how! Amrita Thadani shares how her background in fashion design and volunteer experience with refugee resettlement led her to start NEOCOCO, a social impact brand equipping women for financial independence through community, femininity, and hand embroidery. She highlights the ways embroidery acts as a cultural and family connector, as well as a therapeutic act. Elisha and Amrita explore how fair and dignified employment provides a firm foundation for women refugees building a new life, and how fair trade businesses can get involved in the refugee crisis.

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In this heartfelt farewell episode, founding host Elisha Chan officially passes the mic to Fair Trade LA’s new Executive Director, Rebecca Dunn. Together, they reflect on the journey of building a thriving fair trade movement in Los Angeles—from Elisha’s early days transforming Fair Trade LA into a national leader, to launching this very podcast, and ultimately making LA the largest Fair Trade City in North America. Rebecca shares her own powerful story—from Kolkata to Antwerpen to Ten Thousand Villages—and the path that brought her full circle back to Fair Trade LA. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at Elisha’s next chapter in Haiti, where she’s building a school from the ground up through her nonprofit, Impactful Missions. This episode is filled with laughter, legacy, and a shared passion for justice, community, and sustainability—and it captures the heart of what Fair Trade LA is all about.

We’ve got a sweet treat for you today! Hear from Abby Noel Davison at Tony’s Chocolonely about the company’s fair trade chocolate journey. She shares with Elisha how storytelling and raising awareness about human rights issues in the chocolate industry is baked into their branding and production decisions. They also talk about how addressing child labor directly and compassionately with producer groups leads to stronger supply chain relationships. Finally, Noel shares some encouraging and systemic changes that have happened in the West African cocoa industry in the last 20 years.

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Join Elisha for a conversation with Brad Jeffrey, the co-founder of MadeFree, an ethical fashion accessories brand working to end human trafficking. Brad discusses his pivotal experience meeting young women in difficult circumstances in Africa and Southeast Asia, which ignited his passion for addressing global issues like poverty and slavery through sustainable solutions. He notes that consumer behavior is increasingly driven by a desire to buy products that make a difference, but he criticizes handout models for not addressing root causes. Finally, Brad stresses the importance of collaboration and flexibility in manufacturing to meet both mission-driven and design goals, and focusing on energy-producing activities to make fair trade business sustainable.

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Continue learning about fair trade fashion in honor of Fashion Revolution Month! Elisha chats with Jessica Ray, Executive Director at GOEX Apparel, a fair trade apparel manufacturer in Haiti, about her journey from high-end luxury retail to ethical fashion. Jessica shares how the fair trade community fosters an abundance mindset and specific lessons the fair trade world can apply to scale our businesses and impact. She details how GOEX Apparel has transformed from its early days into a factory that employs over 77 people full-time while reducing the carbon footprint of their fabric. Both Jessica and Elisha share their experiences building businesses in Haiti and the importance of investing in and prioritizing holistic wellbeing in the workplace.

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This week Elisha talks with Mary Lampmann about the collaboration between Ten Thousand Villages and Jurassic World: Dominion. They discuss the crossover of themes like preservation of culture, sustainability, and women’s empowerment. Mary also shares how the artisan partners have scaled their operations and market reach with this partnership, and the ways that will impact these communities for years to come. Finally, she shares the one thing that citizens can do that mean the most to any fair trade organization to build a fairer world. 

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This week Elisha chats with Joe Altepeter and Alexandria Pineda from the Downtown Women’s Center, the only organization in Los Angeles exclusively serving and empowering women experiencing homelessness. Learn more about this incredible organization from its audacious inception to their vision to see every woman housed and on a path to personal stability. Alex shares her journey from bartending and serving in the Air Force to her current role as lead trainer in the transitional jobs program and head of production for the MADE By DWC home and gift collection. Joe explains how the social enterprise arm of the DWC invests time and money back into the local economy. Their conversation highlights the ways COVID, race, class, and gender disproportionately affect BIPOC women’s opportunities for safe housing, and how housing is a prescription for health. 

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How can every-day citizens support human trafficking survivors around the world? This week’s episode shares a place to start. Elisha chats with Blythe Hill, the founder of the Dressember movement to raise awareness and funding for anti-trafficking programs across the world. They dive into Dressember’s history, the four foundational pillars of their anti-trafficking work, and why effective solutions must be survivor-led. Finally, Blythe shares tangible actions that anyone can take to support healing and security for trafficking survivors.

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From managing a travel agency to building a global fair trade business, this week’s guest will inspire and empower you to build a better world! Vik Giri from Gallant International shares why he chose to invest the profits from his family business in scaling their fair trade impact and how consumer demand for ethical & organic products directly impacts fair wages for producers. Specializing in certified organic & regenerative organic cotton products made in Fair Trade Certified™ factories in India, he highlights why investing in people and ethical supply chain practices is one of the best ways to strengthen a business. He gives insight into how fair trade businesses were able to treat their workers better and experience less disruption during the pandemic.

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In this episode, Elisha talks with Jenny McGee about her journey from a small town in Indiana to launching a nonprofit to support survivors of human trafficking in Southeast Asia. She talks about the importance of developing survivor leadership in all areas of their business, not just production, to foster a different future for themselves. Jenny also shares how the Starfish Project builds a culture of trust across cultural differences and emphasizes the need for a team-oriented mindset that prioritizes each person’s gifts over their educational backgrounds.

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Join Elisha for a special episode of the podcast in honor of World Refugee Day, featuring Winston Bui, a refugee of the Vietnam War. Winston recounts his family's harrowing escape from Vietnam during the fall of Saigon in 1975, highlighting their dangerous journey amidst bombings and chaos. They eventually made it to America, where a generous couple in Oklahoma helped them resettle, securing housing and jobs for his parents. Despite the initial hardships, Winston and his brothers adapted by taking on odd jobs and learning English through television, leading to their eventual success. Returning to Vietnam years later, Winston experiences profound emotions witnessing the country's transformation and contributing to its development. His story underscores the resilience and tenacity of refugees, urging others to embrace courage and hope amidst challenges.

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Nathalie Marin-Gest, Senior director of producer services at Fair Trade USA, chats with Elisha about her background, journey, and how her work supports equity and justice for farmers and producers. She describes the similarities between her department’s functions and Julia Child’s first cookbook, and the importance of focusing on the human side of production in building better systems. Their conversation explores how to build capacity, collect information, and calibrate programs to benefit those most directly affected.

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Trade in your cynicism for some hope in this heartwarming conversation with Gretchen Huijskens, founder and CEO of Trades of Hope. She shares with Elisha her journey transitioning Trades of Hope from a charity to a direct sales model and how that benefits both the artisans and the sellers. Gretchen highlights her hopes for her new book and how she hopes Trades of Hope will expand in the future. Finally, they both share about how their work in Haiti and the importance of long-term economic solutions to grow a brighter future.

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Welcome back to another season of the Fair Talks podcast! Today’s guest, Manish Gupta, shares his journey from majoring in chemical engineering to co-founding a powerhouse global fair trade brand - Matr Boomie. He tells Elisha about the companies’ commitment to partnering with at-risk communities and how those artisan groups have evolved since working with fair trade. They dissect the importance of quality control, why emphasizing artisan’s artistry matters for high-quality products, and how to bring that same quality into every aspect of a fair trade business. Finally, Manish shares just how transformative self-confidence can be for their artisan partners.

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Join Becca for a fascinating conversation with Paul Rice, founder of Fair Trade USA and author of Every Purchase Matters. In this episode, Paul Rice reflects on his 26 years with Fair Trade USA and his passion for the movement’s mission to improve lives and protect the planet. He discusses how Fair Trade certification supports workers and farmers by providing funds for community projects like infrastructure improvements, and shares the evolution of Fair Trade USA’s “Fair Trade for All” approach. Paul talks about his decision to pass the baton to a new generation of leaders while continuing to advocate for Fair Trade through his new book. He also highlights the importance of innovation, particularly through technology like QR codes, in shaping the future of the movement. Finally, Paul shares his optimism about Fair Trade’s role in building a more ethical and sustainable future.

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Enjoy this insightful conversation with Olowo-n’djo Tchala, founder and CEO of Alaffia! He shares with Elisha the process of how he started fair trade cooperatives to support farmers & makers to employ their vast knowledge to create excellent products while protecting the power of collective bargaining. He shares the process of bringing traditional African values and knowledge to fair trade and why it’s important to consider the production structure of our goods, not just the materials. Learn how implementing an ‘investment forward’ strategy creates a more stable community future. Finally, he shares the challenges and opportunities for adapting policies and certification standards shaped by Western belief systems into local community contexts and the impact of adapting key elements of a community-centered model so that more people can gather under the fair trade umbrella.

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This week, Elisha talks to two leaders from the Garment Worker Center in Los Angeles - Nayantara Banerjee (industry research and strategic partnerships) and Francisco Tzul (garment maker and organizer). Francisco shares personal hardships he’s endured in his career as a garment maker and what motivates him to work for industry-wide change. Nayantara describes the history of the Garment Workers Center, how SB62 (the Garment Worker Protection Act) can change the future of the fashion industry, and why “Made in America” doesn’t always mean sweatshop-free production. Both share inspiring tips for consumers to wear their values.

Pour yourself a warm beverage and settle in for this conversation with Sara Delaney, founder of Sarilla. She and Elisha discuss Sarilla’s evolution from equipping social service workers to provide healing & resiliency training models drawn from Rwandan culture to the development of the social impact business and why they chose tea over coffee as their hero product. Sara shares why loose leaf tea is better quality and better for the environment. Their conversation ends with the ways product certifications like fair trade or women-owned can help consumers make decisions and build trust with a brand. 

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In this episode, Elisha chats with Laura Hertz, Co-Founder & CEO of Gifts For Good, a company on a mission to reinvent the $100 billion corporate gifting industry. From working with over 80 nonprofits and social enterprises to creating a new software called GIFTforward to minimize waste, they are transforming the industry and the world for the better. They discuss how a line item in a corporate budget can be redirected to change people’s lives. Laura shares her experience on how to help large companies connect the dots to make the shift from giving cheap swag to quality meaningful gifts. She also gives insights and strategies on how small businesses can become more accessible to these companies. Perhaps the key to making a greater impact is not to work alone, but to work together. Listen in to learn more!

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This week Elisha dives into a rich conversation with Paul Rice, founder & CEO at Fair Trade USA. They discuss Paul’s entry into the world of fair trade and how that ignited his passion to grow the movement in the United States. Paul explains how fair trade creates a win-win scenario for companies and farmers by creating new shared value and through fostering equitable trade partnerships, not dependence on charity. He highlights the ways fair trade collectives invest resources into their communities for stability and wellbeing. Plus, how the fair trade symbol became synonymous with high quality products and a special call to action to support fair trade pilot programs in your area!

We are pulling back the curtains to give you a behind-the-scenes look at running Fair Trade LA! In this intimate episode, Elisha chats with four Fair Trade LA board members about their paths towards fair trade. They share creative tips for finding like-minded folks passionate about social & environmental justice in your local community and how to build a fair trade community from the ground up. Plus, hear step by step tips for creating and promoting events and how to share sobering information with infectious enthusiasm. Our board members offer resources for starting a fair trade campaign, how our nonprofit is structured, why we fundraise, and where donation dollars go to make the most impact for a better world.

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If you wear clothing, this episode is for you! Elisha talks with Shannon Welch, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Creative Partnerships for Fashion Revolution USA, about the history of labor and environmental abuses in the fashion industry. They dive into the origins of Fashion Revolution and discuss how their work for greater transparency in fashion supply chains could fundamentally change the industry. Shannon highlights how big brands adopting fair trade makes an impact at scale, how the hashtag #30wears relates to buying clothes, and shares suggestions to create a fashion revolution in your own closet.

Doug Lapp, the Artisan Relations and Supply Chain Senior Strategist of The Little Market, shares his journey as a fair trade buyer and building artisan relationships. He breaks down the differences between fair trade, charity, and mainstream models of business, and explains the positive potential impacts in children’s lives that fair trade offers. Finally, Doug and Elisha discuss the importance of changing how the fair trade world can better communicate the multiple layers of value embedded in fair trade.

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Put on your dancing shoes–we’ve got a special treat for you today! Bethany Tran of the Root Collective walks us through the process of making fair trade shoes, from how the soles are developed to sourcing their materials. She also shares why the company made the switch to pre-orders for their shoes and how they incorporated pre-loved shoes into their overall business model. Finally, Bethany and Elisha highlight challenges facing small fair trade brands in a tough economy and share practical ways customers can support their favorite companies.  

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Join us for a special bonus episode before our fall season! Listen as our Executive Director and host of this podcast, Elisha share her personal journey with fair trade - from her first trip to Haiti during college to building a social enterprise aimed at eliminating poverty that’s given away over 345 scholarships to send children to school. She recounts powerful stories of the impact of ethical employment and teases about big changes to come for her business!

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Ever wonder what are the keys to building a business (or socks) that lasts? In this episode, Amie Farkas, Head of Supply Chain & Products from Maggie’s Organics shares with Elisha about their 30-year journey of setting the highest standards as a fair trade and organic apparel company. From moving cotton production across continents due to climate change to welcoming 3rd party certifier audits, this conversation gives important principles to creating longevity and sustainability in business. Finally, the industry has much to learn about its latest transition to employee ownership to ensure a good company can stand the test of time.

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How can fair trade economically empower women and communities? In so many ways! Join Elisha as she chats with Joy McBrien, founder of the social enterprise Fair Anita, about her path towards entrepreneurship and the powerhouse women she met along the way. Joy shares the sobering connection between financial insecurity and domestic abuse, how Fair Anita incorporates women’s empowerment into their business model & reporting structures, and the importance of centering their makers in the design process. Finally, Joy also shares how joining a network like the Fair Trade Federation helped her business thrive and grow.

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Calling all tea-lovers! We’ve got a flavor-packed episode for you today. Elisha is joined by Paul Bain, founder and CEO of JusTea, to talk about their fair trade partnerships with small-holder Kenyan tea farmers. Paul describes how they were able to set up tea cottages after working to enact legislative change in Kenya and why they’ve worked with women’s cooperatives right from the start of the business. He also shares a surprising fact about where tea comes from and why purple tea is so rare. Finally, Paul talks about why getting JusTea fair-trade certified was so important to the foundation of their business.

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In this episode, Elisha chats with Dr. Janette Habashi who shares her journey from growing up in Jerusalem to founding a nonprofit providing refugee and low-income artisans training and job opportunities to create lasting economic growth for Palestinian women. She shares some joys and challenges in creating a worker training program and shipping products around the world, and why it’s important for the artisans to feel a strong sense of ownership in the production process. Finally, Dr. Habashi names one simple act every citizen can do that has far-reaching effects. 

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Have you ever wondered how fair trade programs measure their success and impact? If so, join Elisha and this week’s guest on a deep dive into data analytics, key performance indicators, and robust measurement systems. Andrea Bassetti, Impact Research and Analysis Manager at Fair Trade USA guides us through the definition of greenwashing and how to avoid the companies’ engaging in these practices, what makes the Fair Trade certification stand out, and one qualitative data point from a recent study that surprised their team. Finally, Andrea shares the importance of data transparency to drive meaningful change for both consumers and certification bodies. 

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It’s time for a bonus episode! Join us as we reflect on the last five years of the fair trade movement, both here in Los Angeles and around the world. Elisha shares some incredible highlights from Fair Trade LA’s five-year report and the growth of consumer demand for fairly made products. Plus, stay tuned to the end of the episode for a big announcement about Fair Trade LA’s future projects!

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Get ready for a delicious deep dive into the world of chocolate and coffee with Jeff Abella of Moka Origins! Jeff shares how his time living in cocoa and coffee-growing communities opened his eyes to the harsh economic realities farmers face—despite producing two of the world’s most consumed commodities. He explains why he and his team were compelled to rethink the traditional supply chain, ultimately committing to direct trade and fair pricing to ensure farmers earn a sustainable living. Jeff also highlights the importance of adapting business models to different cultural and economic contexts, sharing lessons from Cameroon, Mexico, and beyond. Plus, he takes us behind the scenes of chocolate making, from fresh cocoa pods to rich, flavorful bars, and why single-origin chocolate is a game-changer for taste and transparency.

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WOO-hoo! We’ve got an exciting episode today - Elisha is chatting with Robin Tolkan-Doyle, founder of fair trade beauty marketplace, Beautyologie. Robin shares her journey from beauty journalism and public relations to starting an online marketplace as a hub for inspiration and knowledge for fair trade in the beauty industry. She highlights her new product line, World of Oil (WOO), created as a streamlined skincare option shedding light on each product’s origins and makers. Robin also offers insider tips on decoding labels and ingredient lists, and how to choose products best aligned with your values. Finally, she names her beauty faves and go-to products, and proves beauty is not only skin deep, but a holistic way of caring for people and planet through our products.

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This week we’re diving into the world of sustainable fashion! Join Elisha as she learns about the power of clothing swaps from Nicole Robertson, founder of Swap Society. Nicole shares the pitfalls of fast fashion, what it actually means to ‘swap clothing’, and why she believes it’s a game changer for your closet. She shares some practical tips for hosting your own clothing swap and envisions what the future of conscious fashion might become. 

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In this episode, Elisha chats with Julie Colombino-Billingham, Founder & CEO of Deux Mains. They dive into the contrasting dynamics of nonprofits versus social enterprises and how each strives to create lasting change. Julie shares insights into the unique challenges of running a fair-trade business, such as competing against large companies with misleading "sustainable" claims and overcoming Haiti's high import dependence. She explains Rebuild Globally's model in Haiti, which provides jobs, scholarships, and financial stability for graduates, empowering them to become future leaders. They also explore the impact of fair-trade partnerships and the potential for larger brands to step up and help create sustainable economic growth in developing nations. Could big-name brands be the missing piece to long-term social change? Listen in to find out!

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Our host, Elisha shares a brief introduction to fair trade, who we are at Fair Trade LA, and our work in the City of Los Angeles. Hear how this podcast will inspire you for extraordinary change!