World of Good takes green living to a whole new level

Where green living meets empowering the human spirit, this is where World of Good perhaps establishes itself as so much more than merely a venue for a sustainable marketplace. While of course the products sold at here online are eco-friendly, what's more is that they are further placing the opportunity for more global ethical responsibility to the individual hoping to take that on. Just what does this mean, and how is it achieved?

Well, the journey has been years in the making, a vision of Priya Haji and Siddharth Sanghvi, which was first brought to light in 2004 with the ultimate goal of "solving a big problem: how do we increase wages and market opportunity for the hundreds of millions of women living under the poverty line around the world?" stated co-founder Sanghvi. From there the company has flourished and the fruit it bore could not be any sweeter to those millions of artisans now granted the ability to make enough profits off of their handcrafted wares to support themselves, their families, and ultimately create a better life. World of Good sets the stage for these crafters to bring their unique products to previously unknown expanses and in effect breaks down the restrictive limitations of a purely localized market and in turn opens up their businesses to all of the vast nations.

Blending the message of protecting the environment, green living, and the need to practice sustainability while also bolstering the human spirit, these are the common threads woven into World of Good scheme; for this it has struck an ideal balance between some of the most prominent ailments afflicting us all today. What vendors can achieve is a life outside of poverty and what buyers have to gain is almost just as much. When you purchase from World of Good you are supporting these small entrepreneurs, helping to rebuild their own communities, and you are further reducing your own carbon footprint and global impact.

The goals set which are the basis of World of Good, and what has proven to be its ability to achieve so very much in a short six years caught the eye of not only such established retailers that include Whole Foods, Disney, and Hallmark but then moved onto the online powerhouse eBay. "When we met the team at eBay, we were inspired by the sheer scale we could achieve through a partnership with eBay, and that was the beginning of WorldofGood.com," explains Sanghvi. World of Good then exploded in popularity, and prosperity, establishing itself as the most prominent environmentally and socially ethical multi-selling market. The goods found here are pooled from over 85 distinct countries and over 40,000 individuals, all of which have been verified by one of the multiple organizations that ensure that each vendor falls into the theme of the market; such organizations include the TransFair USA, the World Fair Trade Organization, and Green America. "This gating system [then] keeps the site authentic and provides shoppers the highest level of transparency."

This company, perhaps one of the most all around ethical ones to date, has not only teamed up to bring these artisans internet availability via eBay but has also granted its wholesale division over to GreaterGood to bring the very most to those stricken with destitution but who still have the skills and ability to rise above. "We are confident that GreaterGood will be an excellent steward of the retail partnerships we've built and will continue to grow Fair Trade through mainstream retail channels," an excited Priya Haji offers. A the same time it is obvious the feelings are mutual, "We look forward to this next step in our commitment to building an integrated, sustainable shopping experience within the eBay marketplace," states eBay's Global Citizenship Director Robert Chatwani. Stacey Edger the GreaterGood director echoes those same thoughts. Yet, at least for Chatwani this kind of enterprise was a long time coming.

"[He] had been championing an initiative to build an artisan marketplace on eBayhe too had been inspired during a recent visit to India by the potential and impact," shares Sanghvi, "He was just looking for the right partner when he met World of Good," and no better match could have been made.

For all of those looking into another chance of green living but then also want to support the human spirit and personal triumph, the uplifting story and then creation of World of Good is your opportunity to do just that thanks to the admirable hands that brought this dream to life. That dream is so more than two women who witnessed the plight of those living in India and it represents more than the people living in those very same communities with the goal to simply put food on the table; they are all of those but also the dreams of anyone looking to make a difference and offer a helping hand to those who need it most in any way possible.

With these new acquisitions there is all the more availability to participate and give back and you can do so online at WorldofGood.com or in stores that carry the GreaterGood, and thus World of Good, namesake. A special thanks to not only Jill Primost and Siddharth Sahvi representing World of Good but also to a fellow Justmeans enthusiast Megan MacDonald for suggesting the premise of this post.

Photo credit: World of Good by eBay