Ethical Network of San Antonio

The funding from the Elevate Prize would help our organization to hire an Executive Director. The founding members have put in a lot of work into building this organization and community of entrepreneurs. However, each of us has our own businesses as well as full time jobs. Being able to hire a like-minded individual that could do the work full time would be a great benefit to the small businesses in the area.

Already  the Ethical Network of San Antonio connects local business owners to work with and support each other. Having the funding and personnel to provide them with more networking and workshop opportunities would be extremely beneficial.

Our ultimate goal would be to create a "Navigating Sustainable" weeklong conference in which we were able to bring in industry leaders to speak, workshop, and encourage our local small business owners.

Five years ago I was introduced to the world of sustainability only to discover that sustainability had always been a part of my world. What hurt me though was that sustainability only seemed to be for a select few. The prices of clothing seemed inaccessible, the clothing rarely went about a size 10, and the face of the movement was thin, white, and blonde. As I tried to navigate this space I felt disillusioned and depressed. I decided I was going to start my own line that was more inclusive and accessible. It was a tough journey and one that I did alone. Though I connected with people online, I was missing a local community. Sustainability wasn't a thing in San Antonio.

I was blessed to join forces with 4 other women to begin the Ethical Network. It was amazing being able to provide a community and platform for businesses as well as providing education events for the community. I've learned so much over the years and I hope to continue that for others on a larger scale. I want businesses to know they have help and a resource and I want San Antonio to be known for sustainability.

Small businesses are the backbone of our community. The ones that are thinking about planet and people along with profits are even more special and yet are working with tougher hurdles. While we can't erase every hurdle we can help them with a supportive and engaged community. 

Many business owners feel isolated in their problems and that can create a competitive nature as they are trying to grow their business. Also, when trying to protect people and the environment finding resources can be tough.  These are the main problems we are addressing. Providing a community of businesses to support each other (community not competition) and learn from each other as well as being a hub of resources. We have been able to provide these resources and since of community to over 100 local and regional businesses and we are still growing.

Local community members can find local businesses to shop from that fit their needs and also learn more about sustainability and ways they can fit that into their own lives. Creating a more sustainably minded city with a population of over 1.5 million people could have a huge impact in the state and country.

We are combatting the idea that businesses have to be in competition with one another. The Ethical Network stresses the idea that when one wins, we all win. Sustainability isn't only about doing business, but doing business better. Doing business in a manner that is uplifting to the community, self, and others. We aim for a holistic approach.

Also, we don't only focus on the businesses alone. We host community events to help educate individuals. This makes the businesses' jobs a little easier. Often while they are at pop-ups or markets they are having to explain prices and ingredients. When they are selling at our markets, people are already coming specifically looking for these types of items and they know what goes into them, because we take time to educate and take that stress away from the entrepreneurs in our community.

Sustainability has become a buzzword that has so many meaning not many people fully understand what it means. This can be a bad thing, but we're using that to educate more and more people.

The way businesses operate and the amount we consume is harming the environment. When the environment is harmed, people and animals are harmed. This unfortunately affects marginalized communities first. 

We see our organization as a step in so many movements. Social justice, environmental justice, sustainability, and supporting small businesses. Not only to we advocate for a reimagined concept of business, but we are intentional about giving a platform to entrepreneurs in marginalized and under appreciated communities. 

When we first began, their was only a handful of these businesses that were a part of our community. Now over half of our businesses are BIPOC owned. Seeing these businesses thrive and receiving the support they need helps to close the gap that has existed for so long. Their efforts to bring healthy and ethically made items into San Antonio and surrounding areas is also helping those in other parts of the supply chain. This is a huge impact not only our community, but around the world.