Our franchising operation was launched at the beginning of October, and we have had over 100 enquiries despite minimal advertising. A “Discovery Day” was held on 15 November, which 7 potential franchisees attended, and the feedback was very positive; at least one person will move to the next stage (a detailed interview/ discussion at their home) in December. Two wholesale customers have also expressed an interest in converting their shops to Shared Earth franchises. A further “Discovery Day” is to be held on 12 February. Our Franchise Manager is Tammy Hullis who is based in York.

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With Christmas fast approaching many people are turning their thoughts towards what presents they should buy for their friends and loved ones.

UK consumers are more aware now than they have ever been about reducing their carbon footprint, opting to save energy and participating in recycling initiatives. However there is another choice that more consumers than ever are making, the choice to choose fairly traded products. These are products which offer worldwide artisans a fair price for their labours and help support entire communities. However, for many people this isn’t the reason why they opt to buy them.

While these products are classified as Fair Trade, they also satisfy consumer need. Everyone wants to be different and the handmade, individual and unique elements of these products make them unique and desirable. They respond to the desires of so many UK shoppers. The desire to be different.

Buying handmade, unusual presents is a sure way to eradicate that Christmas embarrassment when your friend announces that they’ve already been given something exactly the same! Fairly traded unique products help to say a little bit more, that you may be individual, thoughtful, kind and considerate of other cultures.

For those of us that are looking for a new challenge in 2008, why not consider a Fair Trade franchise with Shared Earth? Go to www.sharedearth.co.uk to find out more.

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Jeremy Piercy, founder of Shared Earth explains his ambitions and vision for the future and why Fair Trade is important to him.

“As the owner of Shared Earth, my ambition is very different from most of the people you see on tv on programmes like Dragon’s Den. I want to make a living for myself and be secure, but beyond that, I’m not too bothered. I know that after you’ve got your basic needs met, you don’t become happier no matter how much money you have. Happiness increases when your attitude to life and your relationships with people are healthy. Caring about the people we buy from gives everyone who works at Shared Earth a boost - we have fantastically motivated staff and I’m sure they’re happier people through knowing that their work is serving others as well as themselves.

Apart from the growth of Fair Trade, I would like to see a change in our society away from its materialistic attitudes to life. I’d like people, especially young people, to understand that it’s what you do and the way you work that matters, not just how much you earn. If people actually started to realise that caring about other people makes YOU more happy, as well as those other people, then attitudes might change and society could only be the better for it.”

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Shared Earth held its first ‘Discovery Day’ on Thursday 15 November, to introduce potential franchisees to Shared Earth and explain what is involved in its franchise package. Seven people attended from a variety of locations around the country and feedback was positive, with almost everyone wanting to progress to the next stage of undertaking detailed interviews and searches for specific suitable properties.

“We have always aimed to address the imbalance of wealth, working together with people from different cultures while earning a decent living and, because we make good profits, we are able to offer our suppliers a good and fair price for their products,” explains Jeremy Piercy founder of Shared Earth.

Jeremy has been delighted at the huge initial response to the publicity about the franchise opportunity. The franchise has attracted national press interest from newspapers such as the Daily Mail and the Daily Express as well as a host of enquiries through online channels.

We are looking for individuals with the right qualities who want to own an ethical, profitable business. We are only looking for a small number of franchisees initially so that they receive an excellent level of care,” adds Jeremy.

The next Discovery Day is planned for 12th February 2008, interested individuals can book onto the day by emailing franchising@sharedearth.co.uk

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Shared Earth was founded in the 1980’s and has vast experience in crafting products that sell.

The products begin their creation with customer research that Shared Earth’s dedicated design team of three full time people undertake. This shows Shared Earth’s commitment to design and new product development. This knowledge is later transferred into designs for the artisans in developing countries so that they can work with Shared Earth to hand make products that UK consumers really want to buy.

This process ensures that sales are kept high and Shared Earth can provide year round orders to suppliers, which in turn support whole families and communities. The product ranges include; unique jewellery, a whole host of fashion accessories, wood, ceramics, paper, soapstone and products for children.

The newest Shared Earth offering comes in the form of the first Fair Trade franchise package to be launched in the UK!  To find out more visit www.sharedearth.co.uk/franchise.asp

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