Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Costello.
Jackie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started this business just about three years ago and I am so excited to share it all with you. Along with running this business, I am also an occupational therapist. As much as I love my job, I felt and still feel like I was meant to do something more. A few years ago, I was shopping for Christmas presents for my family and stumbled upon a few companies that were being very transparent about working with artisans, paying them fairly and giving them safe working conditions. Because these companies were mentioning the good things they were doing, I had to assume that the companies I have been shopping at consistently were not. But unsure, I started researching and was so disappointed with information and statistics I found. Garment workers in Bangladesh are making less than ¼ of a livable wage. In Guangdong, China women work 150 hours of overtime per month! I then watched the documentary The True Cost (if you haven’t seen it, watch it on Netflix!)
Suddenly, I could no longer shop at these companies like Forever 21 and H &M for clothes. I could no longer be making these poor choices that affect other peoples lives halfway across the globe.
In addition to learning about these new companies, I have traveled a lot on service trips over the years. I always left the trips feeling like I wanted to help the artisans or people I met. Specifically, I did a mission trip to Mexico City when I was in college. We were working with girls from vulnerable families. Meaning their parents had abused them in some way, or their parents could no longer take care of them. Often, these children younger than ten were working or begging for money. When I left after two weeks, all I could think of was the young girls I fell in love with begging on the streets. There was nothing I could do about it.
Fairtrade became an answer to that desire. Fairtrade provides parents with a liveable wage so that their children can go to school and not work. These are some of reasons I opened my own company and how I began to change the lives of artisan and their lives. Overall, I wanted to slow down fashion. Have consumers think about the people behind their products and think of quality over quantity.
Through The Golden Rule boutique and Threads worldwide we partner with artisans in developing countries to provide them with a marketplace here in the United States. This marketplace allows them to earn a livable wage, live healthier lives and keep their kids in school, NOT on the streets. Through The Golden Rule Boutique we can be world changers together.
When you shop with The Golden Rule Boutique you can share the story of the artisan who made it. How you are providing dignified work that is directly impacting families. Clothes and jewelry won’t change the world, but you the woman who wears it will. There are people behind every single product that we buy. If you see fair trade you know that the person behind the product is protected by safe working conditions, no forced labor, and a fair working wage.
Has it been a smooth road?
This has not been a smooth, easy road. I have struggled because I am an occupational therapist by trade and that is what I know. I dove into the business world thinking that I would jump and make my wings to fly on my way down. Well, I have. But it has been scary doing that. Every so often I think I am going to fall right on my face and stay there. Because I have fallen on my face. More often than I can count. I cannot count the times I have almost given up on this. But I think about the artisans I work with and how their lives are much are than mine. I will never fully comprehend what most of them have gone through. They are what keeps me going.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Golden Rule Boutique is an all fair trade boutique based here in San Diego. Everything that we sell is ethically made and provides the artisans with dignified work, fair working wages, safe working conditions, and no child labor.
Not only that but are products are gorgeous, handmade products you can feel good about. I love what I do and the opportunities we have created for our artisans.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think the fashion industry can be tough in San Diego. There are not many fashion events currently. However, I do think there are a lot of conscious people in San Diego that want to make a difference and I think that is what has kept us going. We have amazing conversations with people about what they are doing to slow down fashion or to make a difference in their own way.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10115 Peaceful Court
- Website: www.thegoldenruleboutique.com
- Phone: 9089170729
- Email: thegoldenruleboutique@gmail.com
- Instagram: @thegoldenrule_boutique
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegoldenruleboutique/
Image Credit:
Lindsey Atwill Photography
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