Weekend Update #51
Welcome to Blue Room's Weekend Update. Each week, we're sharing what companies we're researching and the what, the who and the how that we think makes the companies interesting and unique. This roundup is brought to you weekly by a group of interns, creative minds, artists and investors who believe that through best in class investing along with the democratization of financial education we can do great things together. Enjoy, Explore and Share.
This weekend we are taking a breath to savor
the holiday and slow down for a beat.
We bring you a truncated update
with an abundance of thanks.
In honor of Small Business Saturday, we’re highlighting a few of our favorite small businesses to kick off your holiday shopping in the spirit of togetherism.
Togetherism, our term for making capitalism work in a more ethical fashion, is the philanthropic arm of Blue Room. We dedicate ten percent of our revenue before expenses to Togetherism, a registered 501c3 nonprofit that acts as a foundation, offering cash grants to nonprofit organizations that seek to improve our relationships with one another and the natural world around us.
Togetherism Founder and Director Nina Sohn states,
“We stumbled on the term 'Togetherism' in a meeting in the early days of Blue Room. The invented word captured the philanthropic ideology that became the foundation for the Togetherism arm of Blue Room: that our thinking would be driven by the idea of a shared humanity. We are both connected and beholden to each other and the planet we all share.”
We’re so inspired by the work of Togetherism’s first cause, the Helping Hand Initiative, which offers financial assistance and highlights the services and backgrounds of small businesses that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability.
Ian Carter, Co-founder and President of the Helping Hand Initiative and Analyst at Blue Room, shares, “Supporting small businesses, to me, means supporting culture, community and livelihoods. In starting the Helping Hand Initiative, Inc., we have been able to engage with minority owned or operated businesses to share their stories across the country and give them the exposure that they may not have been able to receive otherwise. We are inspired by the creativity and resourcefulness of those we work with because we understand their contributions to our communities as fundamental to the growth and vibrancy of social culture and economic sustainability.”
Below we highlight some of our favorite gifts from the Helping Hand Iniative’s community to simultaneously do good and cross names off your holiday shopping list!
Brownish Books
Brownish Books is a diverse children’s book service that features Black and Brown characters to help children learn about race and idenity, feel represented, and foster a love of reading. The books also spotlight Black and Brown authors and illustrators who are often overlooked in publishing.
Brownish Books offers bundles in a range of sizes for Babies/Toddlers (0-3), Younger Kids (4-8), and Older Kids (9-12).
KAHAWA 1893
Kahawa 1893 sources their coffee directly from women farmers in Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia who have traditionally been unfairly compensated with global prices below the cost of production. By working directly with the farmers, Kahawa 1893 is committed to empowering and establishing sustainable wages for these women who make up 90% of the workforce.
Kahawa 1893 has the perfect gifts for every coffee (and tea) lover on your list, from barrel-aged coffee, whiskey barrel-aged coffee, and cold brew blends to Kenyan black tea, rooibos tea, and single-serve coffee packets.
Luna Sundara
Luna Sundara is a wellness and eco-friendly home decor merchant that aims to enrich people’s health and well-being while simultaneously supporting and empowering local Latin American artisans, farmers, and community members.
Head over to Luna Sundara for a variety of sustainably-sourced essential oils, incense, palo santo, ceramics, rugs, cushion covers, and Peruvian wall mirrors.
Montfleur Duvin Wines
Montfleur Duvin is a winery named after its founder, a first-generation Haitian-American who noticed a dearth of Black-owned brands at wine festivals and sought to diversify the space.
Duvin honors his Haitian family with Carline, a balanced red blend named after his late grandmother, and Yvonne, a light-bodied white named after his mother.
Oak Tree Learning Center is a preschool business and educational consulting service that teaches children in underserved communities through experiential learning.
Consider supporting Oak Tree Learning Center by subscribing to and recommending Mrs. C’s Podcast for Parents, Teachers, and Administrators here.
Helping Hand Initiative
Helping Hand Initiative is hosting their first in-person fundraising event today, September 27th for Shop Local Saturday at Oak Tree Learning Center in San Bernardino.
Even if you’re outside of Helping Hand Initiatives’ bases in Los Angeles and Boston, you can help support their mission by making a donation. Donations are used to financially support small businesses, purchase items for their gift boxes, and fund events that help strengthen their community and businesses. Helping Hand Initiative is a registered nonprofit within the state of California, with donations eligible for tax write-offs.
Happy shopping and wishing you a wonderful start to your holidays!
10% OF ALL BLUE ROOM REVENUES GO DIRECTLY TO FUND OUR NON PROFIT TOGETHERISM.
WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING TOGETHER.