Our mission is to create delightful and unique gift experiences while supporting our Clients' social and environmental values and corporate social responsibility goals.
Whether the goal is to “Buy Local” or to be “Eco-Friendly” or to support “Small” and “Minority-led” businesses or to “Give Back”, we want to make it EASY to find thoughtful, quality and most importantly, APPRECIATED gifts to create a lasting brand impact.
We are continually onboarding value driven vendors to join our Collective and bring more abundance of quality products and services to meet the engagement goals of our clients.
All of our Vendors meet at least 1 of the following 6 Criteria
Small Business
As per Statistics Canada, Small Businesses (1-99 employees) make up almost 98% of Canadian businesses but only contribute 38% to our GDP.
Small businesses are creative innovators of quality, unique and principled products and services. They are representative of our communities and represent 67% of Canada’s employees. But they face many barriers when selling to large corporations. We know that strengthening these voices is good for our democracy and economy.
Eco-Friendly
Climate change is real and we all need to play our part in reducing the impact businesses have on our environment. Promotional products have traditionally been one of the most wasteful industries, but times are changing!
We want to promote and work with vendors who are taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint of their products, and are striving for net zero in their operations.
Here’s how we define “Eco-Friendly” Vendors:
- Product Materials : Products are made with recycled, upcycled, vegan, organic, or plastic-free materials, or are refill products.
- Packaging : Product packaging is reduced-weight or is made with recycled, recyclable, or plastic-free materials.
- Production : Products are created with ethical sourcing, low-impact transport, renewable energy, fair trade, or cruelty-free methods.
Minority-Led
We know the complexities of our multicultural and gender diverse society; and the paradox that can exist when striving to appreciate all human’s individuality while also avoiding segregation and supporting cohesion and inclusion. Like small businesses, minority-led businesses face barriers of lack of resources, but also prejudice or discrimination and lack of confidence when it comes to selling into large corporations.
When a Vendor chooses to celebrate and share their identity, it gives our Clients the opportunity to choose thoughtful gifts that also support and recognize the diversity of their employees, clients and communities. Embrace diversity, equity and inclusion.
Made in Canada or USA
We believe in building sustainable business relationships, and proximity matters. Not only does buying local stimulate local economies and reduce carbon emissions (which are both SO important) but it also has a ripple effect by introducing otherwise unaware gift recipients to amazing local brand options. Investing in local business stimulates demand for more innovation, commerce and dignified work in our communities.
Gives Back
Buying corporate gifts from Vendors who are committed to giving back to causes that align with company values and ESG goals helps to enhance our Clients’ demonstration of their commitment to these causes, while also achieving the engagement goals of the gift in the first place.
Handmade
Handmade gifts often have a unique and authentic appeal that sets them apart from mass-produced items. They can add a personal touch to corporate gifts or promotional items, making them more memorable and meaningful to recipients.
Support for Artisans and independent craftspeople, contributes to the growth and sustainability of local economies. This aligns with corporate social responsibility goals and demonstrates a commitment to ethical sourcing and supporting communities.
What our Vendor Products are NOT
How do we do this?
When Vendors join the Collective, they are responsible for selecting tags that best describe their business practices and identity. They are also responsible for complying with the definitions and guidelines provided by Conscious Collective. Vendors are also responsible for complying with all applicable laws with respect to their selection and use of these tags on the Collective, including environmental claims.
How do we ensure the accuracy of these tags?
There are 2 approval processes when a Vendor onboards with the Collective.
- Vendor Identity. Our first approval check is to verify the veracity of the company’s identity claims. Via business and tax numbers, D&B directories and other channels and partnerships, we verify that the company and their owners are who they say they are.
- Business & Production Practices. Once the Vendor’s Identity is verified we take all measures in our power to verify claims before products are approved on the platform.
Although we provide detailed definitions and guidelines and make every effort to verify these business practices, we cannot guarantee them, so if you know that a tag is being misused, please let us know by contacting us.
