One Candle at a Time

Take a moment, tune out all the noise, and read about an act of kindness.

Rachel has made my day, and I don’t even know her.  Thank “CF” for writing this and posting it on

And thank you, Forest, for sending it!

The post Rachel’s candles – kindness is contagious appeared first on Prosperity Candle.

Listening to the women share their stories, give voice to their visions, and express candid opinions about how Prosperity Candle is affecting their lives will be the first measure of our work. We pair careful analysis with these stories and opinions to better understand the whole picture, because looking at whether the women are able to increase their incomes is only part of our work.

We also want to see whether or not nutrition is improving, if women’s safety is enhanced, if more of their children are in school and receiving medical care, and how the women feel about their futures – are they hopeful? Are they taking leadership roles in their communities? Are their voices heard?

Our approach to measuring social impact must take into account all of these factors. And as a business that cares deeply about its environmental impact, we will be vigilant in assessing this area as well to minimize as much as possible our carbon footprint. We are committed to tracking and evaluating triple-bottom-line progress in ways that allow us to make better decisions and continually improve our model for broad and sustainable impact.

If we train a thousand women in candle-making to earn a supplemental income, we fail in our mission.

Why? Because we seek to empower as many as possible to build thriving businesses that can offer employment to others in their communities. This is the impact we seek to have. The diagram below illustrates the path we hope many women entrepreneurs will choose with ongoing support from us and other organizations.

Questions about our mission & model? Please get in touch!

The post Prosperity Candle’s Social Impact appeared first on Prosperity Candle.

Ted Barber
Prosperity Candle founder and president
My mom Louise has influenced me in so many ways it’s hard to imagine who I’d be without her strength in tough times, her intelligence and clear thinking, her groundedness and practicality, her patience and faith in all her children, her progressive ideas balanced by fiscal prudence, and the strength of her convictions – especially when it comes to helping others and doing right by the world. When I have a challenge before me, my mom has always been there with not only attentive listening, but also thought-provoking questions and smart advice. From my mom I’ve learned how to be a good friend, parent and citizen, as well as how to create a business that contributes to your community.

Kim Hutt
Director of Online Marketing and Sales
My mom Debbie instilled in me a real sense of opportunity. When she was in high school, she wanted to be a journalist, but her guidance counselor told her she should pursue a more ‘feminine’ profession, and that her dream was unrealistic. Perhaps remembering this rejection, she was always open to my childhood fantasies — even the most unrealistic ones! I think about that now, working at Prosperity Candle. I want the children of the women we work with to feel that same boundless optimism, that feeling that opportunity is all around them. It’s something I still carry with me today.

Kaitlin Hasseler
Director of Partnerships & Business Development
Gracious and tenacious – two words that encompass all that my mother Susan has been and is to me. She is a beautiful example of the complexities of the human spirit, and has been a guiding force all throughout my life. She is a powerful leader, who has taught me, and shown me through her example, how to lean in and embrace my voice and my passions. I am deeply thankful for all the ways she has instilled in me a respect for others, a desire to make a difference in all I do, a heart for travel and exploration, how to be an advocate and an ally, how to listen more fully, how to put my faith into action, and how to believe in myself at all times. The woman I am today is directly a result of my mother’s influence, and I am so grateful for her! I look forward to many more adventures together (hopefully including some more on different continents!) in this crazy journey of life.

Emma West
Sales & Marketing Intern
From the homemade bread fresh out of the oven to raising three children, I praise my mother for her immense care. My mother’s thoughtful gestures towards neighbors and nurturing ways as a parent has demonstrated the importance and beauty in showing compassion for others. With my love for traveling mixed with my mother’s influence in doing good for others, I excitedly plan to learn all I can regarding international development. I have seen the incredible social impact a business can have in working with Prosperity Candle and seeing the revived lives of the Burmese refugee women. In the years to come, I hope to channel my mother’s compassion and make a difference in the lives of others.

We’d love to hear about all the ways your moms have inspired you — please share with us on Facebook, Twitter, or here in the comments!

The post Spotlighting our Moms in Honor of Mother’s Day appeared first on Prosperity Candle.

Can’t make one of the events? Don’t worry about it! Another way to show your support is by purchasing and gifting unique Fair Trade products. Below are five of our Fair Trade favorites.

	Teardrop Birdfeeder, $24 SERRV This hand-woven birdfeeder is designed by SERRV and made by the Community Crafts Association of the Philippines, one of the oldest fair-trade organizations in the Philippines. The organization provides training programs and organizational development to help community-based enterprises become successful and self-reliant. In addition, the CCAP artisans use many natural, locally available fibers in their goods. The Teardrop Birdfeeder, in particular, is crafted with tilob vine that frames a coconut shell bowl.
	Teakwood Oblong Cutting Board, $47 Greenheart Shop This one-of-a-kind cutting board from Greenheart Shop is made in the Lake Izabal region of Guatemala by a family of artisans who are paid a living wage. Only recycled or sustainably sourced wood is used and managed by the SmartWood Alliance, a certification that guarantees hardwoods are harvested responsibly.
	Red Blossom Bowl Candle, $25 Prosperity Candle This soy blend candle comes in a fair trade ceramic bowl which is hand-painted in traditional Vietnamese flower patterns. The artists come to the United States through Craft Link, a non-profit dedicated to finding global market opportunities for these otherwise isolated artisans. Additionally, the candles are hand-poured by Burmese women who are rebuilding their lives through candle-making after years of living in refugee camps. Each tea-infused candle is packaged with a story card about the woman who made it.
	Everest Teapot, $39 Ten Thousand Villages This two-toned tea kettle is handcrafted by Sana Hastakala, an artisan group from Nepal. Sana Hastakala was established in 1989 with assistance from UNICEF as a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization. To help improve economic and social conditions and preserve the artisan skills in Nepal, the group provides the artists with training and marketing assistance. Additionally, profit from sales is used to further develop and extend the program through producer development programs, staff welfare and organizational strengthening.
	Recycled Material Wallet, $20 Global Goods Partners Friends International implements an income generation program that allows parents to earn a living so that their children are able to go to school. The organization, located in Cambodia, also provides health care, vocational training, primary education, counseling, and cultural activities to 1,800 children and their families. These individuals then create beautiful bags and jewelry from recycled materials, such as this wristlet made from strips of newspapers and magazines.

For more information about our Fair Trade efforts at Prosperity Candle, check out this blog entry by our team .

Have other Fair Trade gift ideas? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Fair Trade Favorites: 5 Unique Gifts to Celebrate World Fair Trade Day appeared first on Prosperity Candle.

Also known as International Workers’ Day — a celebration of the international labor movement.

Today, we’re thinking about the workers behind the products we consume. Sometimes we make good choices; buying carefully, supporting fair trade, purchasing from organizations dedicated to the livelihood of their employees. Sometimes, we don’t meet that standard.

We’ve been reflecting on the idea that change is a choice. No one person can change the world . . . not easily, at least! But little changes, made mindfully, can and will add up. Making the choice to buy a fair trade pound of coffee means a few extra dollars out of my pocket. But that little choice makes a big difference to the farmers who are paid fairly for their coffee beans.

We’re proud to be an organization that works to economically empower women. The women we work with are strong, smart, dedicated candle-makers, and today we celebrate them.

In the aftermath of the terrible factory collapse in Bangladesh, I’m taking time this May Day to be grateful, and to renew my own personal vow to purchase with purpose . . . and let all those little choices add up to big change.

The post International Workers’ Day: Reflecting on May Day appeared first on Prosperity Candle.

This Thursday, May 2nd, three women who are rocking this world – Jackie VanderBrug, Cheryl Kiser, and Prosperity Catalyst‘s Siiri Morley – will lead a women-only discussion of Impact Investing with a Gender Lens.

Hosted by Babson College, this Catalystic Women event is part of a series of panel discussions in Boston, Denver, Palo Alto and SF focusing on investing. It’s a perfect opportunity for women interested in giving with impact to learn more about why gender lens investing makes sense.

This discussion will explore important questions like:

1. What are opportunities to invest in women and social entrepreneurs?
2. How can I leverage my wealth for both a return on investment (ROI) and a social impact?
3. How are investments in social enterprise different than traditional investments?

Catalytic Women is donating $10 of every registration to One Fund Boston. Check out their event page to learn more and register for the discussion!

The post Impact Investing with a Gender Lens: this Thursday in Boston appeared first on Prosperity Candle.

Isn’t that a powerful message? Here at Prosperity Candle, we couldn’t agree more – what you do, what we do, right now, matters so very much. And it’s incredible to have partners that are true leaders in this movement. The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (responsible for this banner), led by the visionary Carla Oleska, is one of these partners indeed.

The vision of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts is to empower women and girls to reach their full potential in a world that is just and fair for all. They focus on three major strategies to bring this vision to life:

1. mobilize and support women’s philanthropy because philanthropy is a powerful tool for social change
2. make strategic grants to nonprofit organizations that work with women and girls toward progressive social change in Western Massachusetts
3. advocate for system improvements for women and girls through research, education, and collaboration

Since beginning their work in 1997, the Women’s Fund has awarded two million dollars in grants, funding nearly 100 programs and investing in more than 80,000 women and girls in four counties in Western MA. This is an impressive feat and one worth celebrating.

And celebrate they did! A little over a month ago, the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts held a beautiful evening gala in honor of their 15th anniversary, bringing together more than 650 advocates, supporters and champions of women’s rights within the greater Western MA community.

The theme of the evening was “Redefining What’s Possible” and during the program, they presented a set of Standing on Her Shoulder Awards, recognizing 16 local changemakers who have spent their lives asking themselves “what can I do right now to change the world?”

Prosperity Candle was honored to have the Women’s Fund select our pillar candles as a recognition gift for the awardees. The candles the Fund selected were handpoured by our women artisans in Iraq and then had dried flowers pressed upon them from a local artist in the Valley, creating a beautiful gift displaying the interconnected world we live in.

Carla even took time during the program to share the story of our candles and our broader mission, speaking eloquently to how the candles represent the global sisterhood that exists among us.

We love aligning our gifts with partners and events that have such a clear and proven vision for change.

Learn more about the Fund’s tremendous vision for change here:

And may we all take a cue from the Women’s Fund of Western MA this week, asking ourselves “what can I do right now to change the world?”

The post The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts: Working to Change the World Right Now appeared first on Prosperity Candle.

Want to see some more great gift ideas? Check out our Mothers Day gift Guide board on Pinterest or our Gift Guide for Socially Conscious Moms!

	FOR THE MEDITATIVE MOM Meditative Moment Singing Bowl & Candle Set, $58 Enjoy deep relaxation and stress reduction with this Tibetan singing bowl and lemongrass sage tin candle. While embracing the signature tones of the singing bowl, enjoy a sweet smelling candle handpoured by Burmese refugee women. A great way to uplift your self and women around the world!
	FOR THE MOTHER IN NEED OF PAMPERING Peace of Mind at Bath Time, $60 Complete with everything mom could want to shed the burdens of the day and relax, rejuvenate, and renew her spirit — from the meditative light of a candle to a sip of soothing tea to the silky feel of your own skin after a bath rich with mineral salts!
	FOR THE MOTHER WHO GARDENS Random Acts of Wildflowers, $16 Perfect for the garden, home, and mother! Set includes easy-to-grow wildflowers, soften & restore body lotion, and a pretty little candle in a flowerpot-style votive, handpoured and freshly-scented.
	FOR THE FASHIONABLE MOM Gem of a Woman Scarf & Candle Set, $54 The perfect accent to any outfit or room in need of color! Mom will love the handmade cotton scarf from India and the distinctive recycled glass bowl candle handpoured by Burmese refugee women.
	FOR THE MOM WHO PREFERS DARK TO MILK CHOCOLATE Dark Chocolate, Bright Candle, $24 Sure to be a tasty hit! Delicious fair trade, Equal Exchange chocolate paired with a frosted white votive candle handpoured by Burmese refugee women.

The post Prosperity Gifts for Every Mom: A Mother’s Day Gift Guide appeared first on Prosperity Candle.

This year, we’ve really been digging into our “Shift the Gift” campaign, where we engage with organizations and corporations interested in aligning their gift giving with their values (we’re determined to shift a percentage of the $17-19 billion promotional product industry towards sustainable gifts that build transformational business opportunities for the women we’re working with!).

So it seems quite fitting to give a shout out to one of the first companies who joined us in gifting with impact, far before we had created a catchy slogan and solidified a business strategy. This week’s Sunday Spotlight is on PAX World, one of the leading investment management companies dedicated to delivering competitive long-term performance to investors through sustainable investing.

PAX World indeed has a distinguished history of innovation (beyond being one of the first to design custom candles with Prosperity Candle!) having launched the first socially responsible mutual fund in America in 1971. They are also credited with being among the first investment managers to integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) or sustainability factors into investment analysis and decision making.

Not only have they long integrated diversity analysis and other gender criteria into the company research they conduct for their mutual funds, but they also offer a specific fund, the Pax World Global Women’s Equality Fund (PXWEX), which is the only mutual fund in America whose focus is on investing in companies that are global leaders in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.

And if that wasn’t enough, they also were one of the founding signatories of the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, a set of principles for business offering guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community.

CEO Joe Keefe sums it up best: “Eliminating gender inequality and empowering women are finally being recognized, on a global basis, for what they are — urgent moral and economic imperatives. This is as true for businesses and investors as it is for broader economies. Gender equality is fast becoming an investment concept . . . We have a choice in the way we invest. We can take advantage of opportunities or we can ignore them. We can be part of the solution, or part of the problem. When it comes to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, it’s time for investors to become part of the solution.” (Read Keefe’s full comments in a paper on Gender Equality as an Investment Concept and check out PAX’s complete statement on gender equality here)

PAX World’s commitment to gender equality and transparency is really quite unparalleled in the financial services industry, and therefore made them a natural customer for our custom candles, as they are a perfect mission-aligned gift to give to clients and as event takeaways. PAX is able to clearly showcase their branding/messaging alongside their commitment to women’s empowerment, with each candle directly strengthening the livelihoods of the women we work with.

We are proud that PAX World is choosing to be part of the solution in the gift giving space – putting their marketing dollars where their investment dollars are already going.

Learn more about PAX World’s innovative investment strategies here.

If you are interested in joining PAX World in becoming part of the solution by shifting your corporate gifting strategy, contact us today.

The post PAX World: Investing in Women, Eliminating Gender Inequality appeared first on Prosperity Candle.

A few weeks ago I saw a film that both broke my heart and gave me hope.

The film traverses the globe, sharing the diverse stories of Suma of Nepal, who was forced into bonded labor at age 6, and Wadley, a plucky and boisterous young Haitian girl who is denied education after the earthquake, and about Ruksana, a girl in India who dares to dream despite the poverty surrounding her (learn about all 9 girls here).

It’s never easy to be hit with the stark stories and statistics of the gender inequity that still permeates our communities. In fact, it can be utterly paralyzing when you realize just how endemic violence against girls and women is and how few rights so many girls face around the globe.

It’s impossible not to seethe in one’s seat as you watch Yasmin, a young Egyptian girl valiantly paint herself as a superhero as a way to cope with her rape, and as Wadley is banned from school because her family doesn’t have the fees to pay, and as Amina (name was changed for safety purposes) recounts how she was sold as a young teen to her husband so her brother could have a pick-up truck.

This is not the world I want for my sisters.

Luckily the film is not without hope. One aspect in particular that I deeply appreciated was how it uplifted and highlighted the importance of men and boys as allies, not just as perpetrators of violence. Azmera’s brother in Ethiopia stops her pending marriage, Ruksana’s father provides perhaps the most heart-warming scene of the film when he brings her to the art shop to celebrate her passion rather than punish her, and you feel a sense of relief when the police officers affirm and comfort Yasmin, vowing to find her rapist. It can be easy to just lump all men together as the problem, when in fact, the truth is that the violence can only truly end when men and boys join the movement.

The film serves as a call to action for all of us, male and female – asking each of us in the audience to rise up alongside these beautifully courageous girls and to do what we can to change the narrative.

It also serves as a powerful reminder as to why I am doing my work with Prosperity Candle. We must continue to find sustainable and tangible ways to offer women and girls access to opportunity and power. Economic independence is a key piece of this. In both Wadley and Ruksana’s story, we see the distressing effects of economic insecurity and poverty. Without adequate income, their families are unable to send their children to school, despite their deep desire to. If Wadley’s mother and Ruksana’s parents had had a stable and secure job paying above a living wage, the story would have been much different. This new narrative of prosperity is the one that the women we work with – Awatif in Iraq, Landie in Haiti and Moo Kho here in the US – are accessing through candle-making. They, and their children, are able to not just survive, but thrive.

Don’t miss your chance to witness the strength of the human spirit and power of education to change the world during Girl Rising’s limited release (just one week – April 19-25th!!) in Regal Cinema theatres across the country, starting today. Find a theatre in your area and buy tickets now.

And join with us in rising alongside 9 super girls, and their 66 million sisters who deserve rights, education and the opportunity to flourish.

The post Girl Rising: Breaking our hearts, giving us hope appeared first on Prosperity Candle.