Event Empowerment
This past Holiday season Shelby Black-Couch, Mentor Partner with Trades of Hope, hosted a “Give Hope for the Holidays” pop-up. This event was held at the home of Dr. Shellie Hipsky, CEO and President of the Global Sisterhood 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Additional members of the Global Sisterhood that were in attendance included Eva Dixon, Caroline Martin, and Dr. Tanya Lynn. Sara Allen-Founder and CEO of Makin Wellness also participated in all this event had to offer.
Event feedback was positive and made a lasting impression on the women there. “Dr. Shellie’s holiday pop-up was a success and gave attendees the opportunity to wear and gift good filled with stories of impact. Everyone was warm, interested, and generous with their purchases. There were even conversations with guests about doing possible ‘birthday parties with a purpose’ and fundraisers through my Trades of Hope business,” said Shelby.
Sara Makin was thrilled with the exposure to all the information provided and materials purchased. “The event was such a fun morning with friends. I learned more about Trades of Hope and how their work empowers women globally. I loved hearing that the artisans can earn significantly more than local wages through their handmade work. Shelby sharing the mission behind Trades of Hope made it feel personal and meaningful, not like a sales pitch. I left feeling more connected to the purpose of the brand and inspired knowing my purchases were supporting something so much bigger than just products,” said Sara.
Dr Shellie Hipsky was truly touched by the whole presentation as charitable works to effect change is in her blood. Hipsky’s dear mother, who has passed down through her children and 
grandchildren the importance of helping others, was also one of the attendees. “The Trades of Hope brunch was the last official Global Sisterhood event that my beloved mother Libby Jacobs (whom we affectionately called ‘Moo’) attended before her passing. She loved every minute of giving back in an intimate setting in my home surrounded by friends and family. Her legacy included extraordinary philanthropy so this was a perfect last party for her,” said Hipsky.
These sentiments were a true testament to the value of bringing together thoughtful ambitions of women for a truly life changing cause.
What is Trades of Hope?
This is a for profit organization in which every single product made is at the hands of those who put their whole heart into every piece while also being ensured to receive a fair and living wage for their work. Trades of Hope is a business on a mission with the goal of providing dignified jobs for makers who are rising up out of Poverty and Human Trafficking from over 16 countries around the world, including the USA. Trades of Hope’s goal is to expand opportunity through job creation and sustainability, assisting women to create a better life for themselves and their families all while maintaining dignified, long-term partnerships with the makers. Those in the trenches, creating beautiful products that can be truly treasured by the recipients. There are a wide selection of products one can choose from such as accessories (jewelry, handbags, home décor, giftables and more…). And in addition to their products creating sustainable jobs, starting in 2026 with every item purchased, customers will provide a night of safe, family-like shelter for girls escaping sex trafficking in the Dominican Republic.
Shelby’s Commitment
Shelby became involved with Trades of Hope in March of 2015, after a friend gave her a gift, “which changed my life, too,” said Shelby. She has worked the business ever since. In fact, Shelby’s passion and dedication to the mission of Trades of Hope has earned her recognition as a 3rd top seller in the company’s history.
The concept of Fair Trade was introduced to Shelby when she was a college student and was made aware of the struggles that global makers were going through daily. Through her fair trade advocacy work over the last three decades, her travels and witnessing from a first-hand experience on Trades of Hope vision trips, and the expansive impact her work through Trades of Hope was having on so many, Shelby only intensified her commitment in being a compassionate consumer. “I empower women to rise up out of poverty and trafficking, by helping people in the United States style and gift with HOPE … all handmade with love by my artisan partners,” said Shelby. An excellent viewpoint from Shelby was emphasized as she stated that, “Charity does not help people long term, but a job sure does.” That perspective really helps to ignite motivation for women who are improving their lives everyday, by the work of their own hands. An example of how much of a ripple effect is happening at the forefront of these jobs is through a story that impacted Shelby. In Guatemala Shelby told of a woman who was able to acquire a stove, making her the first woman to have one in her village through her work in partnership with Trades of Hope. “She used this stove to boil water not only for her family, but for her neighbors as well,” said Shelby. Implementing the use of this stove was a great asset to many in the area.
In the Dominican Republic Shelby discussed the safe houses becoming established, which helps girls who are survivors of sex trafficking. These houses are more than just a place to reside. 
Through the Batey Rehab Project they believe in the concept of the long game to help these girls become independent, with a goal to provide them with a better future. The girls are assisted in a multi-faceted approach to success, which include: trauma-informed therapy, living in a safe, family-like setting, going to school, and when they are 18 years old, they can begin working part time in the jewelry business while going to university.
Shelby was an observer of artisans who made jewelry while in Haiti with Papillon Marketplace and stated that, “working with their hands was not just a job, but it created meaning for them.” In fact, Shelby was extremely moved when she asked an artisan what they liked about the work they did, and they responded with emphasizing their joy in realizing that people think their works are beautiful enough to purchase. “These moments ground me, learning about their families and to look them in the eyes, hearing about the healing a good job brings, and to know how meaningful it is,” said Shelby.
Long Lasting Impact
Shelby’s work as a Trades of Hope Mentor Partner has really encouraged her to share the multiple stories she has come to learn along the way. She views her work as a calling and an effort to bring awareness to the reality of hardship all over the world. “If I don’t tell their stories, then I’m just selling stuff. My effort goes beyond pop-ups, my goal is to educate those in my sphere of influence to shop better. And as a Mentor Partner I am also helping other women in Trades of Hope strategically create change in their communities, too,” said Shelby. “The Trades of Hope partnership has been transformational for makers and partners alike,” said Shelby.
The collaboration between an exceptional company such as Trades of Hope, and delving deep into the real life needs of struggling communities is second to none. This sort of human proprietary is very much needed in the world. When people recognize the needs of others, and work to find solutions, we can bring dignity and hope for generations.
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If you would like to learn more about Trades of Hope, you can connect with Shelby by email at: TOHShelbyBC@gmail.com and you can shop with her artisan partners at: www.tradesofhope.com/ShelbyBlackCouch
