Dear Friends and Family – 2019 rolled right into a busy 2020 so I really haven’t taken a breath to update you on what you helped to accomplish for Branch Out Market and our amazing partners. I wish I could host another Oscars or award’s show but as you are all burnt out on those and the speeches we will go straight the highlights:
Our website is a never ending project and we have added hundreds of new products. A lot of those were added by our fabulous interns (aka family) who have been also fast learners to keep up with the demand to sell on our platform!
Branch Out Market’s booth at Lotus on Cedros – solana beach retail
We went into Retail! (Don’t forget to come shop in Solana Beach) We have a bright blue booth at Lotus Market on Cedros and love that we are starting a wave of give-back shopping!
The holidays were a success again for 2019. I had copious notes from 2018 on which markets to do, avoid, and promote! We went back to the best and had a blast being successful! Not all were amazing, but we continued to try new markets and learn from them on display, set up, what to bring, how to present our amazing partners!
Interns! Again – amazing interns over the summer helped us grow and organize and apply for grants. We didn’t get any grants but we have killer presentations now ready for any investor or pitch – which I have used already a few times.
Sister Anne from Ecuador
I met a legendary hero – Sister Anne- who works with people with Hansen’s disease. She changed my life 14 years ago and helped refuel my passion for what I am doing. It was a God moment that I still cannot believe and am so grateful for.
We applied for and were accepted into the biggest trade shows in the states for homemade goods and retail. In the end our partners were not confident in their ability to produce so we are waiting a year – but we can go when they are ready!
Brita the Monkey
Finally, #BritaTheMonkey made an Instagram impression and continues to travel the country promoting handmade products that give back. Make sure to follow @BranchOutMarket on Instagram to catch a glimpse of this crazy monkey in our stories and feed.
Here are the final numbers for 2019
4 Continents:
South America
Africa
North America
Asia
13 Countries:
Guatemala
Tanzania
Swaziland
Zimbabwe
South Africa
Benin
USA
Zambia
Nepal
Ecuador
Bali
Uganda
Kenya
Who we impact: 2408 people
(This number still gets me every time. Even though we have a relatively small operation, one person can start a wave and together we have made huge difference in the lives of others through trade and hope!)
Per partner breakdown:
200 artisans
300 babies/children/kids
30 artisans
100 staff
15 artisans
300 artisans
22 card maker artisans
10 jewelry makers
225…75 per training program x 16 week training = 3 times a year
thousands of training hours
600 babies/children/staff
56 artisans
3 artisans
9 family members
20 sewing apprentices
60 knitters
10 artisans
100 children
30 women
3 scholarship recipients
60 women (2 sets per year)
35 teen moms
40 artisans
50 artisans & staff
100 patients
TOTAL 2408 people impacted
Child of Knitter in Zimbabwe
Total Spent in Inventory Directly From our Partners:
Total/Inventory incl. Shipping $ 24,207.23
This number represents what we spent on inventory. Meaning – please feel free to browse the shop and make a purchase on the recently restocked items. If you like to shop in person there are even more excited options for you at our booth at Lotus on Cedros: 240 S Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, California 92075
Katie
thank you for being passionate about helping the poor throughout the world.