Go fair trade
Looking for some inspiration? Feel that your dreams are bigger then reality and not sure if you can make it? Meet Sally Oulton.
She’s a woman on a mission, and an ethical one at that. She’s 38 years old and has had many life experiences including sailing and cooking around the world, and looking after wealthy citizens, but changed her life direction when she made the decision to leave the high life behind and embark on a more down-to-earth lifestyle.
This change lead her to her most admirable achievement so far as she endeavors to seek equality and fairness for the less fortunate through the ever-growing fair-trade trend. This is a portion of her story…
Sally founded the ethical business called ‘Go Fair’ in May 2008, providing multicultural education resources for children of all ages while ensuring equal rights to the products makers and suppliers. This is what fair trade is all about. Since it’s establishment, Go Fair now has more then seven fair trade dedicated locations in around Australia and New Zealand and hopes to continue to expand, as any good business does.
Sally’s quest for a fairly traded business was inspired through a friend who passionately shared her experiences of overseas community work with non-government agencies in both Sri Lanka and Cambodia, and it was then that she knew this was something she wanted to be involved with. It was not only an opportunity to help people through a significant and sustainable means of living, but one that would give her sea-legs a break, and give her a chance for an on-land exploration of business.
SM: So, Sally, how does it work? How do we know that it’s ethical and sustainable?
Sally: Most businesses are registered with International Fair Trade. They have to pass regulations to be certified. I buy from these companies and often I have to pay up front to enable them to buy the resources and make the products.
SM: Running a business when money is a struggle must be difficult. How do you feel about the world economy?
Sally: Well Australia is certainly in a wonderful position at the moment and this gives us great opportunities. Our standard of living is high compared to many other countries. It is good place to be.
Sally continues to explain her support for Australian owned companies that are owned by Aboriginal families or a network of Aboriginal people. She says ‘My passion for a while has been to support these organisations so we can teach children about Indigenous culture’. Fair trade gives some of the local people an opportunity that they didn’t have before, and hopes to fill a sustainable and multicultural gap within early childhood learning settings, something that Sally says she lacked during her childhood. ‘I am currently working with a group of Strong Young Mums (15-25) in Bourke, New South Wales, to make some Aboriginal dolls for us.’
Just for fun…
SM: What do you do in your spare time?
Sally: Boating and fishing off Brisbane and north Queensland.
SM: Why is Wally hiding?
Sally: Who is Wally? No only kidding – I think he hides, to make you look outside the box.
SM: What’s your most inspirational quote or saying?
Sally: ‘It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.’ ~ Dale Carnegie
For more information on ‘Go Fair’ visit: www.gofairtrading.com.au
