Gianna Driver, 28, is the daughter of a Filipino mail-order bride. She grew up with her mother in a women’s home in East Texas after they fled from Gianna’s abusive father. While in the women’s home Gianna worked hard at her studies because she knew it made her mother happy. Gianna worked hard and eventually ended up at Wharton School on a full scholarship
“I looked around and saw all of this pain and unhappiness and I knew my mom didn’t want me to have this life…When I brought home good report cards, she was so happy, so I really applied myself in school.”
–Gianna Driver
Gianna entered the workforce and worked for a company in San Francisco, but it just wasn’t right for her. She “…felt most alive…” when working with impoverished women overseas. She then toyed around with business ideas that would allow her to follow her passion of empowering these women, yet still support herself. In 2005 her original business was born, but she had problems with the quality of the items and the skill sets of the women, but she found a solution.
“In Laos, the women weave beautiful tapestries, so we came up with the idea for scarves… When we start in new communities, I’ll provide a loan. If they want to buy a sewing machine, I front the money and over time, they pay back the value of machine through the sale of their products.”
Now Gianna works with over 60 impoverished women from many countries such as Thailand, India, Laos, and the Philippines. These women receive between 25 and 58% of the retail price of the products they produce. Gianna’s revenue isn’t breaking any records, and has yet to reach 1 million, but she has helped over 200 women and pays 2 to 3 times local minimum wage.
What an inspiring enterprise! I think the most impressive thing about this company is that they are combining three really up and coming, effective tools in the world of social entrepreneurship such as: 1. Selling artisan crafts made by those in poverty to make the artisans more money, 2. Using microfinance loan techniques to help the artisans expand their businesses, 3. Helping female artisans specifically, which in turn can help further the health, nutrition and education levels of their children and families. I hope Gianna Fair Trade sees great success!
What a great lesson… Gianna didn’t let her impoverished background stop her. I love that she didn’t simply start any old business, but she found a need and filled it. Giving these women a chance to be successful with their talents is a win-win for all. It doesn’t hurt that scarves are a fashion trend now, too!
What a fantastic story exemplifying beauty from ashes. I hope her efforts will continue to be a blessing to others.
It also shows a) what following one’s passion and interest can do in building a successful business and b) using one’s personal experience and perspective to see new opportunities and develop them.
Natalie,
This is a very encouraging article. Gianna’s ideas and implementations are creative, ambitious, and productive. She is using her God-given talents to improve her own circumstances. And, Gianna is helping many other women escape poverty and become more successful financially and emotionally.
By listening to her Mother, Gianna has risen above her circumstances to become a successful business woman. She is not only making a difference in her life and her Mother’s life, but also in the lives of women in numerous countries.
Women of all ages enjoy beautiful scarves as they compliment most outfits!
Doris
This is such a good idea! I think lots of millennial entrepreneurs are not concerned with making loads of money and Gianna proves this. She isn’t out to make it rich. She came up with this idea in order to help other women and that is exactly what she is doing.