How business can change the world    
  One-by-One is non-profit corporation dedicated to creative capitalism. By this we mean, putting into action a new sustainable business model that allows businesses in developed countries to collaborate with communities in need throughout the world for the purpose of creating in-demand eco friendly products that will benefit the producers, the businesses, and the consumers.

One-by-One is dedicated to supporting and training economically disadvantaged women, in developing countries, in order to develop their entrepreneurial skills. The reason we focus our efforts on women is because they are often skilled laborers, who support their families on less than a dollar a day. One-by-One helps to bring economic prosperity to impoverished communities, by supporting women, who are the heart of the family.

By providing a safe working environment and support systems, these skilled women are introduced to a social businesses that encourage them to become self-sustaining, micro-entrepreneurs.

What is a “Social Business?” A social business operates as a regular business but, unlike a traditional business, the objective is to bring about change for the disadvantaged and their families.
One by One is committed to transforming social and ecological injustice, while taking into account the reality of business pressures and marketplace demands.		  
   
   
   
       
  How One by One works  
  One-by-One researches consumer markets in developed countries to identify products that are in demand.

Then, we research commercially neglected areas rich in natural resources, where labor is skilled but exploited.

Finally, we match market demand and business feasibility in poor communities with socially responsible businesses to provide consumers with products that respect the health of the consumer, the well being of the environment, and the rights of the people who produced them.

Once all these elements have been established, the “social business” is set up and operates under the guidance of One-by-One. This means that One-by-One provides research, support, training, certification, access and sales of their products in international markets.

Why Peru:

  • While Peru is a place rich in natural resources such as Pima cotton, it is also a place where entire regions exist in abject poverty
  • 20% of the children in Peru do NOT attend school because their parents cannot afford the uniforms and books required to attend
  • Existing jobs, paying less than $2 per day, reinforce a cycle of poverty
  • The mothers we are supporting to become micro-entrepreneurs possess amazing textile and crafting skills; skills that have been refined and handed down through the generations
  
   
   
   
   
       
 

Why is our presence needed

Because the micro-entrepreneurs we support have no understanding of how to start or build a business, no means to secure financing, no knowledge of what products to make for consumers in developed countries and no expertise in selling their products to foreign buyers, the services we provide are essential for their success.

List of what One by One provides:

  • Attends to the legal business structure of each micro-entrepreneur
  • Secures & guarantees micro-loans from banks
  • Secures the work space and equipment
  • Establishes raw material supply chain and manufacturing standards
  • Provide product design direction based on meeting price & quality specifications in developed country’s markets
  • Establishes operating systems & procedures
  • Provides production & management training
  • Acquires GOTS certification (Global Organic Textile Standards)
  • Trains & certifies micro-entrepreneurs to train others to become micro-entrepreneurs
  • Oversees operations development until collectives prove their independence
  


 
 
 
 

 

Additional services

Beyond providing business structures, One-by-One also improves their well-being by associating with other NGO's (non-governmental organizations) to provide micro-entrepreneurs:
  1. Personal growth seminars
  2. Nutritional guidance
  3. Financial advice
Finally, the apparel cottage is equipped and certified to produce organic apparel.

The established “social business” operates as a regular business in a selected industry & country, e.g. apparel. One example is our pilot project in Peru.		  

   
   
       
    Accomplishments  
 

OBO's checklist of accomplishments:

  • Researched feasibility of product manufacturing
  • Researched affluent U.S. markets to determine consumer demand
  • Determined product type & design to answer consumer demand
  • Customs and shipping arrangements
  • Secured distribution / fulfillment hub in Miami, Florida (USA)
  • Research and marketing of product in developed countries
  • Working on sales contracts