Simon Sinek has inspired millions with his popular TED Talk, “Start with the Why”. His more than 56 million viewers have been encouraged to understand the purpose of the business by asking the simple question, “Why do we exist?” Meredith Limoges, the owner of Beaudin Designs, has had a clear answer from the beginning: create a beautiful eco-lux product while producing a story of hope, sustainability, and second chances for women survivors of abuse and trafficking.
The business model has its roots in the fashion industry that generates 92 million tons of textile waste every year. Beaudin Designs purchases second hand vintage designer bags and transforms them into stylish eco-friendly deluxe handbags, thus repurposing 95% of each upcycled bag. The beautiful transformation with their design and fashion brand is amazing,
But that is not the best part.
The creators and producers of the excellent physical bags become transformed themselves as they find courage, hope, and freedom. Employees have experienced abuse or human slavery, but at Beaudin Desings, they learn to overcome and write their own story of hope designed by the Creator God. The company is more than a brand; it is a force for positive change. Created humans are repurposed as they regain freedom in Christ.
The founder, Meredith, was compelled to act after witnessing the heartbreaking reality of human trafficking in Pattaya, Thailand—the sex tourism capital of the world. Therefore, every purchase helps support Door of Hope, their nonprofit dedicated to offering exploited women a path to freedom, healing, and restoration. Through Door of Hope, they:
- Build safe havens where women can find refuge and protection.
- Create outreach centers that offer counseling, community, and support.
- Provide employment opportunities that give women a future filled with possibility.
So, from transformed bags to transformed lives – from the USA (Georgia), to Thailand, Honduras, and Bolivia!
I asked Meredith if she could tell me a story. She hesitated a second wondering which one to choose, and she settled on Janet, a survivor who had been rescued and sent to Georgia on a greyhound bus. Meredith welcomed Janet, who had started down the road to recovery from a long-term addition, bad habits, and physical nervousness. It took some training to learn the skills of an employee, and to use the equipment, but the outcome in two years was amazing. As she learned to create a product of excellence from something second hand, she learned that her second chance experience could transform her into a new creation. She now sees herself as a creation of God, as her healing was modeled by the creation of a physical product. She has her own apartment now and wants to help others as she has been helped.
What a metaphor! Business purpose does not get any better than this.
It is a privilege for IBEC and coach Susanna Biederman to partner with businesses like Beaudin Designs.
Larry W. Sharp, BAM Support Specialist, IBEC Ventures
Larry.Sharp@ibecventures.com