So you’ve found Elevāt, and now you’re browsing the website. You may have noticed the unique selection of products and the commitment to fair trade principles. But now you’re curious as to how it all operates. Luck would have it, that you have stumbled upon just the right article.

Julie Johnson, the owner and founder of Elevāt, has connections with missionary contacts from all over the world. She says, “I started off finding artisans by contacting all my missionary friends and asking if they knew of any women or women’s groups making hand-made items in their area.” Once these connections were made and word got out, Elevāt was able to grow to where it is now.

Julie says, “Because I know the missionaries or the missionary organization overseeing the work, I can make sure that the workers are being treated well, work in safety and compensated fairly for their work. I’ve also been privileged to travel to many of the countries and visit the artisans myself.”  We know that our world is constantly developing, this is just one small thing we can do to increase quality of life and positive change amongst humans.

One unique guarantee that Elevāt can give all its customers is that the product you will receive was homemade with care and love. Julie says, “One fair trade principle is that the worker is compensated 'fairly’ for his or her work which means they are paid above minimum wage for their area. All the products we purchase are from the developing world so our dollar goes further.” 

You, as the customer, truly have a large part in participating in the cycle of production at Elevāt. Without you this process would not be complete. Without you, the funding for new product purchases would not be possible. Thank you for visiting our website and supporting our process as we elevate women artisans across the globe by bringing their handmade goods to the US marketplace.