Lauren Conrad.Photo: Stefanie Keenan/Getty
WhenLauren Conradand her college friend Hannah Skvarla first came up with the idea for their nonprofitThe Little Marketnearly 10 years ago, they never could have imagined the success it’d become.
Since its inception in 2013 The Little Market (which has adigital shopand Los Angeles-based storefront) has worked closely with Fair Trade artisan groups and social enterprises around the globe to source ethical, sustainable gifts, accessories and home décor. Now it’s celebrating a milestone of one million dignified hours of work created for artisans.
“It’s wild to think it’s been 10 years,” Conrad told PEOPLE at The Little Market’s summer event in Santa Monica, California, on Friday. “I’m so proud of the work we’ve been able to do and the community that’s really formed around The Little Market. We started out so small, so to see what it’s become is really exciting.”
Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla.Stefanie Keenan/Getty
“One the things we do at The Little Market is we offer to pay for product upfront and in full,” Skvarla said. “A lot of artists that we work with don’t have other stores purchasing from them, so we’re really grateful to be able to do that because of the support of this community. This non-profit wouldn’t exist without the support of all these amazing people.”
Jordana Brewster.Stefanie Keenan/Getty
Also in attendance at the event on Friday was Cara Santana and Jordana Brewster, who both gave speeches about their involvement in The Little Market. As to what she loves most about The Little Market, Brewster, 41, said that it’s the nonprofit’s “tangibility and transparency.”
“They’re doing something amazing, and it’s women helping women,” she shared. “So it just made so much sense to me, and I’ve also developed a community through it. So it’s just been something really wonderful to be a part of.”
“I think in their own way, everyone was going through something,” she said. “And the support that I saw between all of my friends was really amazing. It was understanding who needed it most and making sure people were checking in. It was the little things. It was like dropping off things at people’s doorsteps. They didn’t hesitate to remind people how important they were to each other, and that was really nice.”
source: people.com
