March 10, 2021

How to Purchase with Purpose and Make Your Dollar Count with Lindsay Sims

49 minutes

While fast fashion and cheap, disconnected consumerism are the default shopping modes these days, there is a growing alternative to the status quo - an entire movement of conscious businesses bringing sustainability and fair trade principles to a larger market. With a perspective straight from the inside, ethical boutique owner Lindsay Simms joins me for a conversation that explores the impact and empowerment created by businesses focused on sustainable goods and fair trade.

Lindsay and I dive into a conversation that reveals the connections and “ripple effects” of our individual purchasing power within the larger systems of consumerism. We discuss voting with our dollars, how to find conscious businesses that live up to their marketing, and the global connection that exists from a product’s creator to its actual consumer.

We also mention a number of specific companies and resources in this episode:

Girlfriend Collective: for ethically made activewear and leggings

Good on You: the website, app, and Instagram account that provides ethical brand ratings and helps you discover more ethical brand

Maison Soliel: Lindsay’s own ethical boutique

If you’re someone who says “I want to change the future” or “I want things to look better for people,” realize that huge companies won’t change their exploitative business practices if they remain supported with your hard-earned money. From this episode, you’ll start to recognize that there are people and stories behind all the products that you buy, and that you have support and empower this new kind of conscious movement with every purchase.

[2:30] Introduction to Lindsay Sims, owner/founder of the ethical fashion boutique Maison Soleil

[3:14] Lindsay’s journey that led her to create Maison Soleil and focus on fair trade

[11:17] The cycle of empowerment in business and how our buying practices create impact in where we choose to spend it

[19:33] Eco-consciousness and sustainable fashion

[22:48] Greenwashing, and how to find actual conscious businesses to buy from

[27:06] Where to shop from Maison Soleil, in person and online

[28:43] The details about Gabby’s favorite handmade, woven bowl, and remembering the people behind the products that we purchase

[35:55] Creating spaces that help move us forward and look out for each other

[37:27] A glimpse behind the curtain of becoming fair trade certified

[41:17] Lindsay’s biggest lesson that she’s learned as a business owner

[45:19] Making conscious consumerism purposeful and accessible

[47:50] Where to find Lindsay and Maison Soleil

This week’s guest was Lindsay Sims! Lindsay is a IGNITE client, and the owner and founder of the ethical fashion boutique, Masion Soleil. She empowers women to live to their fullest potential through fair-trade principles by selling their handmade products in her store. Find more from Lindsay on her website at https://maisonsoleil.com/ or on IG at @maisonsoleildc. To shop from Lindsay in person, you can find Maison Soleil at the Eastern Market on Sundays in Washington D. C., Saturdays at Bmore Flea, and also at Dream Big Boutique in La Plata, MD.

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