Merry Christmas. If you are receiving this as a gift, I hope you and your loved ones invest a little time to learn more about where your investment is going by reading below. Personally, I love buying from and investing into social businesses, they are a Light to the world. And so are you :) We are all wounded-healers and co-liberators, shining for a better tomorrow.
Kendra and I wandered into Grace Lane Boutique recently and struck up a conversation with founder, Danielle Goodman. We heard her tender heart for the downtrodden and trapped across the world. Danielle has risked it all to be a voice for the voiceless by opening this store.
Danielle shared that she once heard that the word "Grace" means "Love in Action". So, when you purchase from Grace Lane Boutique you are Loving someone's Life. You are investing into the healing and prevention of real danger for many across the world. When you touch the clothes and products in the store, you are on the precipice of investing into a story of Life and Healing. Most often, when we purchase clothing, and many other items, we are perpetuating stories of oppression and trauma - we just don't know it.
I've asked Danielle to share a little of her heart and story below, if you'd like to connect with her, feel free to email her by clicking here.
"Hello, I'm Danielle. I’m a California transplant, daughter of an entrepreneurial father, wife, sister, cool aunt and a mom to a rescue pup. I worked in dentistry for 15 years and now I am the founder of Grace Lane, an ethical and fair trade boutique in downtown Dayton and at The Greene.
I believe all are given unique gifts and skills too sow for God’s purpose. Growing up I thought my purpose and greatest desire was to be a mom and raise up little humans who knew the great love of God and people. I dreamt I'd raise them up to become outstanding members of society to help bring light to the world. Unable to bear children and the loss of my favorite person, my little brother, I struggled to find my place in the world. Not until my late 30’s did I discover what I believe is my “kingdom purpose”.
2013 - my year enlightenment. James Barnett spoke at a local church about homelessness and the power of clothing. James founded Neighborly (previously, Clothe Your Neighbor as Yourself). Neighborly produces ethically made clothing and 100% of profits provide clothing to someone in need; a job interview, work boots or school uniforms.
Neighborly helped us see trafficking victims as our neighbors needing rescue and healing. To learn more about the rapid growth in human trafficking cases in Dayton, my husband and I attended classes on how to recognize and help women and children in our community who are enslaved.
Then, in April of 2013 I was devastated watching the news of the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh killing over 1,200 garment workers and injuring so many more. I had no idea our neighbors, our fellow human beings, were being treated so inhumane for our clothing! I learned many of the brands I wore used that very factory in Bangladesh. I no longer was ok wearing clothes if they brought pain and suffering to the people who made them. So, I started my own ethical journey.
I began by only purchasing brands made in the USA but learned that there are unethical, sweat shops in the United States too. With only 3% of clothing produced in the USA I discovered Fair Trade. Fair Trade Companies practice social, environmental and economic factors within their whole supply chain over seas. They ensure fair wages, no forced labor, and no child labor. Fair Trade provides gender equality and empowerment, have safe working conditions and maximize sustainable resources to reduce their carbon footprint on the Earth. Fair Trade companies use less water and and harmful chemicals in production. Using biodegradable materials and other sustainable practices creates quality, long lasting products that l feel great about wearing and supporting. I bet you would too :)
Mike Slaughter, a teaching pastor at Ginghamsburg once said, “belief is acknowledging Jesus’s teachings but faith is practicing it.” Now knowing the dangers of fast fashion, I only want to practice slow fashion. This means purchasing quality pieces I will have for years to come, thus purchasing less.
In 2017 I started Grace Lane Boutique to share my discoveries and my favorite ethical, sustainable and fair trade brands with my community. A brick and mortar location was born in downtown Dayton in 2019. God is so good. We now have a new location at The Greene.
I appreciate the quote by American author Anna Lappe: “Every time you spend money you’re casting a vote for the world you want.” I want to envision a world where we are ALL treated fairly, justly, equally no matter your race, class, sex or belief. A world where we Love our neighbor as ourselves. My hope is we recognize that our small acts of being conscious consumers make a big difference in the lives of the people who make our clothes and other products."
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Thanks Danielle, we believe in you and are rooting for you. And! we are rooting for you, reader, that you learn more deeply about the rich rewards that come with becoming a conscious consumer. To learn more about our love and investment in social businesses, click here. One of our favorite social businesses is Thistle Farms (click here to learn more). Grace Lane carries their products. :)
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