As I talk with people from all walks of life, it is always interesting to see how people respond to Noonday accessory price points. In our current culture, so much value is placed on the finding of “deals” – of snagging more items for less. A consumer culture that encourages more things to foster more happiness – a totally flawed equivalency. When I first became a Noonday Ambassador, I was blown away by not only their business model, but also by how they encouraged people to purchase purposefully, not extravagantly. Noonday would never tell a potential customer to go and buy ‘all the things’. Instead, they focus on how special it is to have one or two meaningful, story-filled pieces rather than more of mass-produced pieces. And the story… that’s where Noonday is truly set apart.
From top to bottom, Noonday Collection strives to be transparent in their use of every dollar and their philosophies, dreams, and visions are the kind of reality you can take to the bank. For example, our business model focuses on empowering Artisan Businesses to create dignified jobs in vulnerable communities. However, they don’t just tout this belief, they back it up in ways you can actually SEE by publishing specific examples within the business model; stories people can read and feel connected to. The same is true of their commitment to Fair Trade principles. Not only is Noonday a member of the Fair Trade Federation, they provide case studies that can be viewed by the public at any time so that you know and SEE the truth of their claims.
In fact, the more you’d like to dive into the reality of Noonday’s Flourishing World initiative, the more Noonday provides. From an entire section of their website focused on their impact to their Flourish Blog that is co-written by Noonday Ambassadors, Noonday wants YOU – the long-time, brand-new, potential, and even the skeptical Noonday customer to feel 100% confident in what we do.
The goal is that we want you to fall as in love with the mission, the impact, and the actual, tangible world-changing Noonday does before you ever scope out the product line. Sometimes without the appropriate background, costs can lie to us, and we want to lean on and expose truth wherever possible. The truth is that inexpensive accessories (or clothes, or really anything for that matter…) has a cost we don’t see. A cost in how laborers are treated. A cost in how the environment is impacted. A cost associated with how much workers are paid. A cost wrapped up in working conditions, benefits, support, and so much more that the average person never sees. But Noonday wants you to see it all so that you know: the cost you see does NOT line the pockets of our CEOs and the price tags aren’t funding glamorous life styles for Ambassadors. The dollars you spend are divided in ethical, appropriate, and meaningful ways so that all members of the process, but especially our artisans in those vulnerable communities around the world are treated like the valuable, talented, and cherished humans they are.
Now that’s transparency you can see – #noondaystyle.
Interested in more comparisons? Noonday’s design team works closely with artisan partners to stay on point with some of the more popular fashion brand names and is able to come in clutch (yes…pun intended…you’re welcome…) by honoring everything they stand for and still delivering insanely cute items for less than those same popular brands.
Goodness, I just love this company. I love what they stand for. I love what they do. And I sincerely love that with every dollar I spend at Noonday Collection, I’m voting for a better world while snagging accessories that have stories that inspire me and looks that light me up!