Teysha selected for THREE high honors in the social entrepreneurship world!

We are so excited to announce we have recently been selected for THREE amazing opportunities in the global development world for Teysha, our team, and our artisans. 

First, Sophie and Travis were selected to be part of the 2014 class of the Agora Impact Accelerator. Being selected to participate in the accelerator means that we will have undergo a five month intensive period of mentoring, business planning, impact assessment, helping take our business and our impact to the next level. We are honored to be a part of the class of 2014!! 

Please visit Agora Partnerships online to learn more about their vision and how the accelerator works!

The Agora program does come with a cost, and we were so excited to learn Sophie had been one of three people chosen as a scholarship recipient from the McNulty Foundation, covering the full cost of the Agora program for team Teysha. Sophie will also be a McNulty Fellow for the 2014 year. We are so grateful for the support of the McNulty Foundation to make the dream of participating in the accelerator a reality!

Please visit the Mcnulty Foundation to learn more! 

Then, we were selected to be one of 50 out of 530+ applicants to the William James Foundation's Sustainable Business Plan Competition! The competition will begin in February, but more than the competition, the William James Foundation is dedicated to bringing resources to social entrepreneurs like ourselves. Check them out for a wonderful list of upcoming competitions/ accelerators/ resources! 

Check out the list of 50 invitees here! 

Like a tree, we have been planting seeds, growing roots, and creating a network of allies, craftspeople, and amazing supporters--  we are ready to take our work to the next level. We are looking forward to these programs to bring support, guidance, resources, and ALLIES to help us reach our vision of empowering people worldwide to connect, create, and live life to their fullest potential!

Thank you all for being a part of this --- 2014 is going to be a great year!! 

Below is an except from the Agora Partnerships site regarding their impact to-date, we are excited to be part of the future!

Impact

• Since 2011, Agora entrepreneurs have increased wages for full-time employees by 36% and created more than 1,000 new jobs in some of the poorest regions of Latin America.

• Agora companies have experienced average annual revenue growth of 80% and have received outside investment of over $12 million - $25 for every dollar donated.

• These testimonies from our entrepreneurs speak to the profound impact Agora has had on them as change agents.

• Agora is the largest supplier of GIIRS rated companies in Latin America, with 26 companies currently rated and an additional 4 Certified B Corps.