WholeStory Collective checks all the boxes for a 21st century company: it offers sustainable products, it provides for people who need aid, and it helps to employ local, traditional artisans. The company sells hammocks and lounge chairs made from sustainably harvested teak wood and polyester, and 10 percent of the proceeds from each purchase go towards helping a family in need to build a home.
WholeStory Collective's chairs and hammocks are made by traditional Nicaraguan craftspeople, giving them a steady source of employment that makes use of their local knowledge. Through the company's donations, it has thus far built four homes for families in the city of El Sauce, Nicaragua, where the furniture itself is crafted.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Sustainable Products
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new materials and manufacturing processes that minimize environmental impact.
- Artisan-crafted
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore collaborations with traditional craftspeople to create unique and culturally significant products.
- Social Impact Retail
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate charitable initiatives into business models to attract socially conscious consumers.
Where This Applies
- Home Furnishings
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate sustainable materials and manufacturing practices to create eco-friendly furniture.
- Textile and Apparel
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Support artisan craftwork by partnering with local communities to produce ethically-made fabrics and garments.
- Outdoor and Recreational Equipment
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop sustainable and socially impactful products for outdoor leisure activities.
