Fundraising with Purpose | Business with Purpose Podcast EP 232: Carol Fassino, FairTrade Caravans

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If you went to public school or played sports growing up in the U.S., you remember fundraisers – the wrapping paper, popcorn, catalogues, etc. We all have these memories. 

Fundraisers are important to help organizations raise money, but what if we changed the way that we fundraise? What if we made an impact not only for the organizations that we’re raising money for but also the people making the things we are selling?

My guest today is Carol Fassino who created Fair Trade Caravans, which provides transparent information about products’ origins, stories behind the artisans and farmers and how the products are priced. 

3:14 – Meet Carol Fassino

• Carol came from a structured world, including public schools and working in the electronics industry. She worked in the corporate world until a few years ago. 
• She never wanted to climb the corporate ladder and had a lucky opportunity to reevaluate what she wanted to do with the second half of her career. She wanted to make a difference. 
• She decided fair trade fundraising was the way to go.

11:15 – How Carol started her company

• She explored how to start the company online instead of visiting schools one by one.
• “It is so hard to get past the initial 10 people that love your idea, that are related to you, that are friends with you. You go out there, and you think everyone is going to embrace that idea, and they don’t,” said Carol.

16:14 – Response and feedback

• The feedback and response to Carol’s business have been great, and her business has grown. 

23:25 – A lasting impact

• It starts with us as adults to teach children how products are made and teach them about fair trade. 
• “We’re trying to make fair trade a global mission through empowering a caring community of doers,” said Carol. 

25:17 – How do the fundraisers work?

• People can set up their fundraiser online with all the products they want, including their logo and how much they want to raise. 
• Carol sends the school a check for 25% of the product sale.
• The challenge we’ve had is getting the word out and promoting the fundraisers.

27:55 – A diverse product line

• Carol has a diverse product line, including home decor, jewelry, coffee, tea, etc.
• Carol sells products between $15 and $40.

31:37 – Get to know Carol

• Carol is a big reader and reads the newspaper every morning. She also likes lighter fiction and historical fiction.
• Her favorite song – Total Eclipse of the Heart
• Her favorite meal – something with a lot of flavor

FEATURED QUOTES

“It is so hard to get past the initial 10 people that love your idea, that are related to you, that are friends with you. You go out there, and you think everyone is going to embrace that idea, and they don’t.” – Carol

“We’re trying to make fair trade a global mission through empowering a caring community of doers.” – Carol

https://www.fairtradecaravans.com/

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Leave a comment below with something you learned from this episode.