The Story

Bambootique was born in 2006 when my girlfriend Tammy and I (Beth Sethi) decided to make a real and lasting difference through, yes, shopping. We were co-workers at an international development organization and our work led us to the same conclusion - economic empowerment of women is key to ending poverty. We knew that when women have access to a living income, they reinvest in their children's education, healthcare and future. We knew we could do something about it. So we did.

Our first artisan contacts were those we knew personally from our own travels. Colleagues and friends connected us with others. Bambootique products now come from Nepal, Indonesia, Honduras, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Togo, South Africa, Argentina, Cambodia, Thailand and more, all countries where women and children tend to live in poverty. Every Bambootique product is handmade using traditional skills and inputs. Thanks to the fair trade relationship with Bambootique, our artisans are able to improve their lives and those of their families. You'll find high-quality, eco-friendly materials like bamboo, mulberry, vegetable wax and salvaged textiles in our beautiful products.

Bambootique is a proud member of both the Fair Trade Federation (see below) and Co-op America, excellent organizations that share our mission and values.

The Founders

I (Beth Sethi) am a wife and mom, striving to raise my daughter Grace in a world where all little girls have the same opportunities life offers her. Bambootique is my other baby. I love waking up each morning knowing I can do something, today, to better the lives of my artisans. You can read more about the ups and downs of living green as a full-time mom and social entrepreneur on my blog, Everyday Just Living.

Bambootique's other co-founder, Tammy, has gone on to focus fully on her relief work at the organization where we first met. She's doing some incredible work in some tough places like Darfur and Uganda.

Thanks for visiting Bambootique and for joining with me to empower women worldwide!

Contact me anytime with questions or ideas.

Click here to read more of the Bambootique story as told in the Beaverton Valley-Times

Our Vision

Because of our passion for a just world, we will bring hope to vulnerable women through fair wages and preservation of their cultural heritage. We will engage members of our community in this effort, both as customers and informed agents of social change.

Our Mission

The mission of Bambootique is to offer economic opportunities to artisans worldwide, mainly women, by providing them access to the North American market through a fair trade boutique. Community education is incorporated into all aspects of the business so that the boutique serves as both a viable business and a vehicle of social awareness.

What is fair trade?

As members of the Fair Trade Federation and Co-op America , we adhere to the principles of fair trade as outlined by the Fair Trade Federation.

According to the FTF, fair trade criteria include:

• Paying fair wages in local context
• Supporting participatory workplaces
• Ensuring environmental sustainability
• Supplying financial and technical support
• Respecting cultural identity
• Offering public accountability
• Educating consumers

The bottom line of fair trade is that the artisan is the main beneficiary of each sale, not a middleman or wholesaler. Fair trade is a way to shop ethically and ensures a direct connection between artisans and our customers.