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STEPHEN JOSEPH:
A CONNECTION WITH KIDS
When Rick Taylor, president of Stephen Joseph, returns home each evening, he has a wonderful reminder of the good things his company is doing in the world. His daughter was adopted from a Russian orphanage that his business supports through its philanthropic efforts.
Giving back is something this company takes seriously. Established 30 years ago as a sorority products specialist, it grew and diversified over time into a variety
of businesses. Stephen Joseph is the parent company, as well as the name of
its successful kids lifestyle brand. In 2013, executives decided to bolster the business’ charitable endeavors, and sought to support organizations that focused on kids. One recent initiative raised $250,000
from the sale of certain products, with donations contributed to No Kid Hungry, Children’s Scholarship Fund and
Little Kids Rock.
Karma, the company’s lifestyle brand, which features popular handbags, accessories, home and travel products, gives 5 percent of its gross sales to numerous charities, including the Russian orphanage. Other endeavors include providing filtered water in Nepal; paying teacher’s salaries a school in a poverty stricken area of Cambodia; and supporting Food Backpacks for Kids, which provides weekend food to kids in need. In addition to special projects, the company makes ongoing donations to organizations such as the American Diabetes Association.
“Given the choice between two similar products, if one has ‘give back’ component, it affects the end-consumer’s buying habits,” says Rick. “It’s a selling point for buyers to communicate information about where a portion of consumers’ money is going.” While the executive is enthusiastic about all the charities his company supports, the ones that tug at his heartstrings are focused on children. “We love kids,” he says.
“They don’t have the ability to help themselves, so we are passionate about helping them.”
For more information: Imagine home – imagine- home.com; Half United – halfunited.com;
Sari Bari – saribari.com; and Stephen Joseph – stephenjosephgifts.com
Images courtesy of Stephen Joseph, Sari Bari, Half United, Imagine Home
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