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| Image credit: charity:water |
There's nothing quite like watching childhood friends grow up to do amazing things.
Part of what I love doing with this blog is highlighting nonprofit organizations and the amazing people bringing positive change to the world. When Grasiella Edwards, one of my closest friends from high school, decided it was time to quit her job and launch her very own eco-conscious business, I couldn't have been prouder or more inspired. We met as teenagers, got mistaken for twin sisters a lot (also fought like twin sisters at times), laughed and cried our way through classes and heartbreaks, celebrated weddings, new homes, new babies, you name it.
Earlier this year, Grasiella launched oasis X change, a website that sells hand-selected eco-friendly products (many of which are vegan and/or organic). She realized that good products do not need to harm the environment, and searched the world for beautiful, environmentally-friendly products that she believes in. The best part is that with every purchase made, 10% of the proceeds benefit charity: water, a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of the proceeds given to charity: water directly fund clean water solutions.
How awesome is that? I got a chance to catch up with her and ask her a few questions about her accomplishments:
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| Grasiella on her Greek islands honeymoon |
TTUP: What made you want to start this business?
Grasiella: I wanted to find a way that I could truly help someone and get other people involved in the process. I'm passionate about products that are better for our health and the environment. Most of the products on the shelves out there should not go anywhere near our body or home! Following that desire to share good products with people and make that sale mean something, oasis X change was born.
TTUP: Why charity:water?
Grasiella: Clean water is our most basic need and there are over half a billion people without access to it. I wanted to work with a nonprofit that was helping bring clean water to people in need and charity: water was the perfect fit. 100% of the proceeds donated to charity: water fund clean water solutions. The fact that we can track our donations provided down to the village it went to is awesome. That level of transparency with a nonprofit is extremely rare.
TTUP: Any tips for young women wanting to become boss ladies?
Grasiella: I've met many women who have amazing ideas but seem to be held back by fear. Know that if you fail, that feeling will be better than to have never tried at all. Here are two tips that helped me along the way:
1. From the beginning, write down the purpose of your business idea and why you're passionate about it. You'll get new ideas along the way and you can always cross-check them against your main purpose to see if it will align with your company's mission.
2. If you're not really passionate about your business idea, toss it and do some soul searching. You are going to be talking about this business with people and if you're not sold, no one else will be. If you're not committed, what will keep you going when times are rough?
And now for the giveaway:oasis X change is giving away over $150 worth of eco essential products to one lucky reader! Click HERE to enter, make sure to follow her on social media, and good luck!
