Perhaps the most important element of our environment that is in need of conserving is its people. We’re sometimes quick to forget that, and engage in business or other actions that are harmful to indigenous communities. Fortunately, a business is in development that could actually help to preserve them rather than hindering them. Celia Moret-Ferguson aims to establish a mobile bead store that will transport customers to cultures afar via its unique bead selection whilst at the same time bringing about social good and promoting solar power. The inventory of her store will be heavily influenced by beads manufactured and sold from around the world purchased from vendors who support indigenous community artisans. Celia is currently attempting to fund this venture via the crowdsourcing platform Indiegogo.
The store will be called Bead Nation to reflect its global focus. Its primary service will be bead retail, but it will also sell necklaces and offer classes and workshops. The shop will be entirely powered by solar energy, goods will be reasonably priced, and some of the proceeds will go towards charities that are in-line with its mission to aid and uplift low-income artisans and indigenous communities. Check it out at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/bead-nation#/