Melissa started a nonprofit in the summer of 2009 and employed seven women to make jewelry. This experience was the start of what would become Ethik. While on her trips to Uganda over the next decade, Melissa got to know the plight of artisans — their work was inconsistent and the fruit of their talents were viciously exploited by those who up-sold their work. Recognizing this, and the growing demand in the global west for companies that do good for the world, Ethik was born.

In 2019, Ethik focused on selling bulk orders to companies. Orders reached up to 10,000 items in the year. Eventually, in 2020, they would get their biggest order to date — 160,000 handmade ornaments.

“For that order, since it was during lockdown, we rented two schools and had two shifts a day. Some would work in the morning and then they could be with their kids; and then the afternoon shift would come,” Melissa said. “Altogether we had about 350 women in Uganda working on this.”

One of the most important parts of Ethik is the artisans. Each item is packaged with the story of the person who made it. When companies receive their bulk order, they are greeted with that order’s impact report. The report includes how many people worked on the order, the total number of dependents of those workers and how many hours were spent fulfilling the order. Ethik’s goal is not only to help artisans have more consistent income, but to help companies “embed impact into their everyday business practice.”

Courtesy photo

Melissa and her team are dedicated to providing their “handcraft partners with meaningful and consistent work.” In 2021, artisan creativity was put to the test with more orders coming in for corporate and event gifts as well as orders for company swag. Melissa shared how, for one corporate event, Ethik’s producers were hired to weave bags that included the company’s logo on it — they did not disappoint.

Ethik’s target consumer remained corporate business and companies, only fulfilling bulk orders until this year. After plenty of messages from admirers wishing to order a handcrafted item of their own, Ethik has launched individual order capabilities on its website! Melissa not only expressed excitement over more people getting to enjoy the work of Ethik’s artisans, but also for the financial stability this new element will bring to the artisans and her company.

When asked about her experience working in the Startup Building, and starting a business in Provo, Melissa said, “In the start-up ecosystem, people are very willing to meet up and talk and support. That, I feel like, has been key to growing this space.”

Mentors who are still a part of her network are people she’s met in Provo and at the Startup Building. Melissa began renting her space in the Startup Building about a decade ago. Her business-saving shift from a nonprofit to a for-profit social enterprise came from a meeting for startups called “1 Million Cups” which was held weekly in the Startup Building.

“It was the true entrepreneur experience. We were all hungry and developing wild ideas and bouncing them off of each other, so there was this great ecosystem here.”

Courtesy World Trade Association

In 2022, Ethik employed 748 artisans from 14 different countries who worked 106,061 hours to complete projects. Purchases supported 3,997 dependents. From seven women in Uganda to 748 men and women worldwide, Ethik is only getting started. If you’d like to learn more about Ethik feel free to email them at info@ethikco.com.

Interested in renting co-working or office space at the Startup Building? Call or text (801) 473-1585 for more information.