Holiday Shopping with a Purpose | Meet Everand

Recently, Whitney and I were in a meeting with a Pinterest representative explaining our vision for Pinterest marketing. When we described our Pinterest-first mindset that we use to empower opportunity for mission-driven businesses, the representative told us, “I’ve never heard of anyone doing what you’re doing”. Hearing her say that made our work feel even more special. Pinterest is not just for finding amazing recipes or getting ideas for home decor. It’s a real, viable opportunity for world changers to get their message to the people who will want to support them. After all, Pinterest is the social media channel that is known for keeping content on the platform positive, so what better place for mission-driven businesses to be?

At Wave, we are committed to supporting content creators and businesses on a mission. We strongly believe in the power of Pinterest to share your vision with the world. While we offer our services to anyone interested in Pinterest management, our top priority is to provide top-level service to mission-based businesses with limited marketing budgets that are focused on sustainability or provide services, products, or employment opportunities that serve BIPOC, the LGBTQ community, and/or women.

Partner Stories | Meet Everand

When we were introduced to Everand we were blown away by their innovative business model that connects beautiful handmade home decor with a cause that is deeply important to us. Allow us to introduce you to Everand. Your new one-stop-shop for exceptional home decor, including throw pillows, blankets, coasters, and more, with ethically sourced fabrics from around the world. The sustainably sourced fabrics alone are cause for celebration, but it gets better: all of Everand’s products are handmade by artisans. We love that all of their seamstresses are refugee women who have resettled in Everand’s hometown of Chicago. Each purchase therefore directly impacts the lives of these talented women. We are delighted to partner with Everand and we can’t wait for you to learn more about them.  

Big thank you to our partner Everand for sharing their story with us. To learn more about Everand and their mission to support refugee women in Chicago or to purchase any of the items featured in this post, please visit shopeverand.com.

We talked with Stacey and Jenny, Everand’s co-founders, to learn more about their story, the inspiration for Everand, and to talk about being women in the world of entrepreneurship. Stick around at the end of the post for some of our own favorite Everand products. 

Everand is the trifecta of what we look for in a partnership. You are women-owned, your products are sustainably made, and your mission impacts social change. We are so excited for people to get the chance to hear about your inspiring story!

Tell us more about the women behind Everand:

Everand is co-owned by Stacey and Jenny, two sisters who really, really like being together and working together.  We are from the north Chicago suburbs, and both attended the University of Colorado, returning back to Chicago shortly after college and lived in the city in our 20’s.  When starting our families, we wanted to live in the suburbs and chose Evanston, IL.

After living here for over 15 years, we love the community and the people we’ve met.  Our houses are two blocks from each other and we are both moms to 2 children.  Because we live so close to each other our families have grown up together and we couldn’t imagine it any other way.

We had no idea that you were sisters! That makes Everand even more special. What were you doing before Everand and how has that supported your current business?

Our story began in Product Development creating beautiful products and developing beloved brands. Right out of college, we went to work for our family business that was run by our Dad.  We were determined to create our own path there and both went into Product Development where we learned to combine our love for good design with travel, social change, and the beauty industry.  We were so lucky to start our careers at a small entrepreneurial company, surrounded by so many talented and creative women in a culture that celebrated new ideas. As the co-founders of EcoTools makeup brushes, we’ve always believed in products with a purpose.

In 2017, we set out to connect our passion for social good and the beauty of artisan-made with the story of our homes.  It was out of this connection where EVERAND® was born.

It kind of seems like everything was leading you to start this business.

What is the origin story of Everand?

Where did the inspiration come from?

How did you come up with the idea? 

At the time, we were getting more into our homes – doing renovations and interior design, buying fabrics online, and waking up at a ridiculous hour to drive to flea markets in another state to look for unique pieces.  Then, Stacey got an email from RefugeeOne, a Chicago-based organization that helps refugees who are fleeing war, terror, and persecution settle into their new lives. The email was publicizing its new Sewing Studio, which gives refugee women a chance to develop a marketable skill and a potential way of earning income from home—and they were looking for work for their graduates, women who had been through so much and often arrive in the US with only a suitcase. 

With that, we knew this was the business. To take the artisan-made fabrics we had been finding and commission refugee women to sew all our products and earn a living wage while doing it. 

The women you work with are so intimately connected to your product. In our opinion, that’s a huge part of what makes Everand so special.

How do you bring to life the stories of the refugee women that you empower? 

Our blog is where we really feel like we can really bring to life the stories behind the women we work with, and a place where our customers can come to learn more about what and who is behind the brand as well as get tips about pillows, styling and more.  Also, when a customer receives their order from us it includes a card with the name of the woman who made your item along with the country that she was originally from. Judith is our primary seamstress and you can read more about her here.

Whitney and I followed our path because we wanted to impact social change on social media. We’ve since noticed that at times the impact is often made on us instead. Share an impactful story with us- something that moved you.

How does this connect to your story, your vision, your products?

The first time we visited the RefugeeOne sewing studio was really emotional for us: In a small room, where 5 to 10 women are sewing at a time, we saw one mother working with a baby strapped to her back learning to sew.  We dropped off our materials to be made into 5 pillows.  When we picked up those first samples, it was a powerful moment, and not just because we were excited to see our concepts come to life: We had brought with us a check for Judith, the woman who had crafted them all, and the entire studio stopped working and clapped for her. It was the first paycheck for her and everything for us.

This is precisely why we are so happy to be partnering with Everand! Your work is having a real impact on people. We think there are so many opportunities out there for people thinking about starting their own mission-based business.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who want to start a company focused on social change? 

Start with an issue that really resonates with you and what you believe in and don’t wait until you have all the answers – you never have all the answers!

“Start with an issue that really resonates with you and what you believe in and don’t wait until you have all the answers – you never have all the answers!” – Everand

On that note, what’s one thing that you think every entrepreneur should be doing? In other words, what has been the thing that has helped you be the most successful?

We love having the opportunity to build this business from the ground up and learn all of the roles that come with that.  We often sit around and give each other different titles depending on what hat we are wearing that day.  Some of my favorites are Head of Maintenance and VP of Shipping!

Isn’t that the truth?! Don’t forget about copywriters, too. We know a lot of start-up entrepreneurs end up becoming their company’s social media managers for a while, as well.

Speaking of which, how has social media specifically helped Everand’s success grow?

In our previous careers, social media didn’t exist as part of our Marketing plans so this has all been new to us (yes, we are that old!).  We love how it has given us the opportunity to create content and ideas then quickly share them with our audience – and get instant feedback in return.  We’ve also been able to meet and connect with designers and other like-minded individuals.

The power of social media! There are so many people out there that are looking to spend their money in a more meaningful way. Whether that’s sustainability or supporting women, etc. and social media is such a great way to find those brands.

That said, I think a lot of people can feel disconnected when it comes to social media. What’s one thing that the everyday consumer can do to be more connected to the global community?

 We’ve always believed that you have to do good to feel good.  It’s what has been at the heart of every endeavor we’ve been on together.  We love so many of the brands now that are designed for social good.  We all have a choice on where we spend our money and it’s inspiring to support businesses where you can purchase with a purpose.  It’s at the core of what Everand® stands for.

What is your vision for Everand in the future? How will you know you’ve been successful?

At the beginning of each year, we sit down and create goals for ourselves and for the business.  At the core of those goals is to continue to grow so we can employ more women to sew.  We want to try and impact and uplift as many refugee women’s lives as possible and our growth is essential to that mission.

We are grateful to be part of helping you with that goal. Okay, the last question and it’s a fun one. You just released your 2021 holiday gift guide that we are obsessed with.

What Everand products are you most excited about for the holiday season? 

The Sherpa Throw Blankets are hands down our favorite gift for the holiday season!  They are soft and cozy, but also showcase our traditional textiles.  We love that gifting anything from Everand means that your purchase is ethically sourced, directly helping to support refugee women in the US, and an authentic piece of a unique and beautiful culture.

Whitney’s Everand Picks for the Holidays 

Light Sage Wool Square Pillow Cover

“I’m a sucker for anything with a tassel, so when we first partnered with Everand this has been the piece that has stuck out to me from day one. My sofa is a very similar light and airy sage and this pillow has all of the perfect little details to compliment it.”

Sherpa Throw Blanket in Mustard

“I love this mustard color throw. It perfectly warms up any space during the cold cozy time of the year, yet bright and beautiful enough to leave out throughout the summer too.”

Indigo Plant Pouch

“Plant ladies unite! I love all of Everand’s amazing collection of plant pouches but the indigo-dyed is my absolute favorite. The perfect handmade accessory to dress up your work from home space.”

Allie’s Everand Picks for the Holidays

Desert Hues Sofa Bundle

“Anything that combines beauty with convenience is a win for me, so this sofa bundle is amazing. The three pillows complement each other perfectly both in size and pattern. This makes it seem like you perfectly curated your living room decor without having to try. The neutral shades will work for just about any living room, too.” 

Sherpa Throw Blanket – Blue Stripe Baoule

“Whitney and I both love these sherpa blankets, but I really love this blue stripe version! The baoule is made in Western Africa and I am obsessed with the subtle color details.”

The Boxy Bag

“These might be my favorite item that Everand offers! I keep everything in bags and I never seem to have enough of them. I love the size of these bags. The rich history of indigo makes this a perfect gift for a friend too – such a great conversation starter.”

All images were provided with permission by Everand. To learn more about Everand and their mission to support refugee women in Chicago or to purchase any of the items featured in this post, please visit shopeverand.com.