Women Making A Difference - June 6, 2010 - Segment Two

Caller Marty Stevens-Heebner, founder of Rebagz, discusses the innovative nature of her business model with Betsy and Renee. Rebagz specializes in making handbags, wallets, and other carry-on items out of recycled materials, with three distinct lines that are all made under fair labor conditions. The first is the Juicy Hand Woven line, which is made using hand-woven recycled juice packs designed to look like colorful confetti; the second is the Rice Sack Graphics line, which incorporates recycled rice sacks that already have amazing graphics printed on them; and the third line is the Statement Makers line, which is made using coated recycled paper and recycled PET plastic for the straps. Marty likes to say you can’t be eco-friendly if you’re not human-friendly as well, since you’re really not taking care of the environment if you’re not taking care of your workers, providing them with a very good living wage and working conditions. All Rebagz products are designed in the Philippines, and Marty has traveled there 5 times to visit the workshop, ensuring that all the conditions are up to standard. Marty also notes that if anyone is thinking about outsourcing to another country, you can go to the World Fair Trade Organization, which has listings of organizations that they have certified in different countries that actually do treat their workers well. For anyone interested in purchasing Rebagz handbags, they are available at Fred Segal stores in Los Angeles. They are also sold in a couple hundred boutiques around the country and online at www.rebagz.com.

2Minutes&More with Betsy Berkhemer and Renee Fraser airs every Sunday at 1pm on KFWB NEWS TALK 980. Tune in for a full hour of tips for business success.