Mission
Full Circle Exchange is an innovative non-profit social enterprise dedicated to empowering women and whole communities to rise above poverty through economic opportunities that are sustainable, holistic and dignified. By focusing on poverty reduction through job creation, improved incomes, and access to global markets, job skills and education, we believe that, when equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty.
Business Model
Through our “Scale for Change” Initiative, Full Circle Exchange aims to exponentially increase the reach of women artisans, farmers and social entrepreneurs who are dedicated to the development of more just economies and social systems as it pertains to the empowerment of women. Women are the backbone of the global economy—they are the caretakers and the first educators of every generation. Sadly, women do 66 percent of the world’s work, yet earn only 10 percent of the income (according to United Nations Development Fund for Women.) Rather than creating dependency on aid, Full Circle Exchange takes a market-based approach, which represents a more comprehensive developmental strategy than traditional philanthropy and grants alone. To that end, Full Circle Exchange will train, resource, and bring to the mass marketplace woman artisan produced, socially conscious and affordable consumer goods (coffee, tea, chocolate and textiles, home décor, jewelry and accessories). By focusing on poverty reduction through job creation, improved incomes, access to global markets, education and job training we intend to reduce the number of women living in poverty around the globe–thereby improving the lives of women, children, families, and entire communities..
Community
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." (Margaret Mead, American Cultural Anthropologist). The Full Circle Exchange corporate mantra is that every one of us can influence and help to shape our world through community involvement. By joining forces with a cross-section of local and global organizations such as Girls Scouts, CARE, United Nations (International Trade Centre), Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), Walmart, WEConnect International, and faith based organizations, Full Circle Exchange is working endlessly to restore dignity, bring hope, and provide opportunities to families and communities around the globe.
Entrepreneurship
“Social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry.” (Bill Drayton, Leading Social Entrepreneurs Changing the World). Full Circle Exchange is not content to be merely a participant in the global economy. We make it our priority to reinvest profits back into critical social issues and provide those in need with economic opportunities so that we may help transform lives and communities around the globe. In order to be effective in our philanthropic work (a social worker’s heart), we have to be innovative in our business practices (an MBA brain.) We like to refer to this phenomenon as integral entrepreneurship. Hang out with us for long and you’ll soon realize that we are never standing still – we are always looking forward to new ways to improve the success of our business, new partners to help expand our reach and new products to create sustainable futures.
