Money is the most powerful tool you have, so spend it in a way that makes a difference in the world. That’s the idea behind purchasing power, which this week’s returning guest, Bethany Tran, illustrates as the founder and CEO of The Root Collective. By partnering with independent Guatemalan workshops, her brand offers ethical shoes and accessories that provide above-fair trade wages to its workers.
Bethany started her business 7 years ago with the mission to create change in the world through social enterprise. By giving local Guatemalan artisans jobs with fair wages, she has moved away from the common practice of simply providing charity and instead gives them meaningful work to help their communities. She discusses the domino effect of ethical retail and how investing in quality pieces can be far more gratifying than a quick shopper’s high.

Key takeaways from this episode:
- What it means in entrepreneurship to live your convictions
- The challenges in creating a social enterprise
- Shifting your thinking away from the consumerist “buy, buy, buy” mindset – opting instead to buy less and choose well
- The ripple effect that results from spending money in impactful ways
- The mental overload we get from amassing too much stuff
- Top tips for using purchasing power to do good, including where to start, how to ease in, and why we shouldn’t aim for immediate perfection

Topics covered:
- How to use your purchasing power for good
- Fast fashion vs slow fashion
- America's consumerism problem
- The path to creating ethical shopping habits
- Resources for using your purchasing power for good

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:
Episode 02: How to Lead with Integrity with Bethany Tran
https://thegoodofficepodcast.com/episodes/02

To learn more about Bethany and the Root Collective:
www.therootcollective.com
www.instagram.com/therootcollective

To learn more about Jillian and the Good Office Podcast, please visit: www.thegoodofficepodcast.com.

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