Today we're celebrating six months since our launch! It's been an incredible time and we're so grateful to everyone who's supported us.
Here are our big six from our first six months - hint: number six is the big one!
We now stock over 120 ethical and sustainable gifts, toys and games. We're so proud that 67% are certified fair trade, 74% plastic-free, 59% are made from recycled materials and every single one is gender neutral: inspiring children to play and and use their imaginations freely. In our online shop you can select products based on loads of different factors, like whether they're vegan-friendly or promote positive wellbeing, or based on age or toy category. Have a look at what's new.
We had an incredible start, winning Devon's Fast Track to Growth Award back in June 2019, before we'd even launched (alright, technically this happened before July, but hey!). 20 shortlisted Devon businesses gave a Dragon's Den style pitch to a panel of business experts, each competing for £10,000 worth of on-going business support from the Fast Track to Growth partners. Good Things pitched a vision for doing business differently by championing projects around the world that support people with well-paid work and use sustainable and recycled materials. We explained that we want to make it easy for people in the UK to support these projects when they buy gifts for children.
Find out more about Plastic-free toys and gifts for kids: how our vision won the Fast Track to Growth Award 2019
In six months we've sent out 408 eco-friendly and fairly made gifts, toys and games! Naturally, they've all been sent in our plastic-free and recyclable packaging. We've sent parcels all across the UK - and to Australia and Singapore! If you'd like to send something further afield just get in touch and we'll see what we can do.
We're also delighted to have five-star ratings on both Google and Facebook! Thank you so much to everyone who's left us a review.
In October 2019, Good Things competed in a start-up business contest, pitching for £2,000 and a year's business mentoring as part of the SJL Foundation's Business Start Up Contest. 50 start-up businesses from around the UK entered the competition and eight finalists were invited to an exclusive event hosted at the House of Commons where they pitched their business ideas to a panel including a former dragon from Dragon's Den.
"The business has a positive impact that reaches far beyond the person receiving the gift and we knew we wanted to support that positivity and help Lucy to develop her business further." explained the judges, "The combination of financial support and mentoring from the SJL foundation will help her to do this.”
Find out more: Good Things a Winner in National Start Up Contest at House of Commons
In November we were lucky enough to feature on BBC One's Sunday Morning Live; we've had national, regional and trade press coverage; had a feature about Lucy and why she founded Good Things in Grow Magazine; received a gold star for children's gifts in On Purpose's A Very Social Christmas List; were Toy News Magazine's Featured Retailer of the Month in December; and were named amongst Small Businesses Which Have Had a Fantastic 2019 by Business Live in December.
Most importantly, we're now working with 15 different suppliers around the world. These suppliers make innovative, sustainable products that are making the world a better place.
ET Games make their products from sustainably sourced Sheesham wood in India. Their supplier reinvests profits to provide workers and their families with healthcare, education and help with sanitation.
Green Toys are turning waste plastic milk cartons into brilliant toys, which saves energy and prevents plastic pollution. Find out more about Green Toys.
In Tanzania, Neema Crafts are transforming the lives of people with disabilities, through fair trade work, opportunities and adapted housing. Like Jasmin, who's now able to send her daughter to school.
Thank you!Our first six months have been unbelievable. A year ago I'd never have expected we might have pitched at the House of Commons, let alone support the important work of our suppliers to the extent that we have. A massive thank you to everyone who's got behind Good Things, whether through the Back Her Business Crowdfunder that got us off the ground back in June, by choosing to shop with us, or through your messages of support and encouragement. Here's to the next six months! Lucy x |
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Good Things is an award-winning online shop that seeks out inspiring ethical and sustainable products that support charities, empower people and protect our planet. We share these products and their inspiring stories of social and environmental impact in our online store. We want to make it easy for people to find feel good gifts, and reduce plastic waste.
Good Things was founded in July 2019 by female entrepreneur, Lucy Willoughby. After spending time in Nepal and Tanzania, working with entrepreneurs setting up small businesses, Lucy was inspired to let the world know about the ethical and sustainable products she found and the projects they support. Find out more.
Since launching in July 2019, Good Things has been featured in BBC One's Sunday Morning Live, and The Guardian, won the SJL Foundations's Start-Up of the Year Contest, and the Fast Track to Growth Award. Lucy is a finalist for the Entrepreneur for Good Award at the 2020 Great British Entrepreneur Awards for the South West region.
