Keep + Kind: Sustainable Gifts and Accessories

Aim

Keep + Kind aims to promote sustainable, ethical and cruelty free gifts from independent and small brands. Delivering happiness not waste.

ABOUT KEEP + KIND

Keep + Kind was born from a desire to encourage sustainability, minimise waste, promote kindness and celebrate innovation, design and manufacturing from like-minded companies. We’re focusing on small and independent brands and have collaborations planned with environmentally conscious artists.

People (we!) are intrinsically kind. Giving and receiving gifts to others not to mention treating ourselves – can be a source of much joy. But it’s also an enormous source of waste. Did you know, consumers use a staggering 227,000 miles of wrapping paper every year? That’s four rolls per household – and that’s before we even consider the packaging, production, delivery and ability to remake, recycle or reuse our products.

Keep + Kind wants to challenge this status quo while helping the ever-growing number of conscious consumers to purchase the right gift more easily and responsibly. We’ll do this by finding brands, makers and artists actively working to keep their footprints small and the planet happy.

OUR MISSION

Keep + Kind’s mission is simple. We want to provide a marketplace for busy people to buy sustainable, ethical and cruelty-free gifts and accessories: a destination where customers can also learn about the sustainability of the lovely things we sell.

Each of our products will clearly state why they’re Keep + Kind, helping people make informed choices by offering details on the steps our makers take while crafting their beautiful items.

We’re keen to promote smaller makers, creators, artisans, producers and artists. It’s a busy consumer world out there, dominated by powerful retailers. But there’s a growing army of small, independent brands weaving innovative and sustainable practices into their products. Keep + Kind aims to showcase these while supporting environmentally friendly consumer choices.

THE REWARDS

Two rolls of eco giftwrap

Wooden Christmas decorations designed exclusively for Keep + Kind - eco glitter for decorating included!

A highly Fragranced Candle in a Stylish Travel Tin

Treat My Teeth Box

Sustainable Christmas Crackers

I’m

Blissful Bathtime Box

Silk Eye Mask

Happy Hands Box

Nostalgia Candle - note the tassel is red on the Nostaglia candle to represent Christmas

Print designed for Keep + Kind by Jenni Saarenkyla

Skin & Tonic: Classic Skincare Gift Set

Do Not Disturb Sleep Box 

(photo to follow)

Men's Luxury Sustainable Shave Box  (there is a choice of either the candle in Timeless or the multi purpose beard and shave oil)

We’re offering a wonderful selection of rewards to kick-start our launch, ranging from an exquisite Giclée print by the talented illustrator Jenni Saarenkyla, to exclusive Keep + Kind Christmas decorations – perfect for personalising at home or beautiful just as they are.

Sticking with the seasonal theme, we’ve got eco wrapping paper and crackers to help minimise waste this Christmas, plus a selection of gorgeous gifts chosen from creators and makers who think about sustainability throughout their production. 

We welcome donations too, of course; a pledge of as little as £1 would be an enormous help in getting us up and running. This is because NatWest has confirmed our eligibility for its Back Her Business scheme, run in conjunction with Crowdfunder. If we can raise half our target from 100 people, it will match that amount in the form of a grant.

A BIT ABOUT THE FOUNDER OF KEEP + KIND

This is my family and I on the holiday that changed my life and direction. I had a busy job as a senior manager in a large corporation, and I was already becoming increasingly aware, stressed and uncomfortable with the impact humans are having on our environment and planet. When we were away, we kept seeing piles of single-use plastic everywhere. An idea started to form; a passion was ignited. I left my full-time role, took a part-time contract with a local charity to free up some time, and started Keep + Kind. I want to work towards a better world for our next generation while supporting some of the thousands of small, independent businesses that are using or introducing sustainable, ethical and cruelty-free practices into their production.

WHAT'S THE MONEY FOR?

Keep + Kind’s website is in development and we’re already talking to suppliers. Any money raised will contribute to other start up costs. They’ll help to secure a home for Keep + Kind: somewhere we can keep our products clean, dry and ready to send. They’ll also allow us to pay for professional photography so we can do our beautiful products justice.

We need other things, as well. An industrial shredder will enable us to recycle the cardboard boxes delivered to us, using the shred to fill the packaging in our gift boxes. The funds will also go towards basic marketing. We need to spread the word, after all, to get Keep + Kind and its brands out there.

THANK YOU

If you’ve read this far, I’d like to say thank you very much for doing so. I know people are busy, especially at this time of year. If you’ve purchased a reward, thank you; you’ll receive this before Christmas. If you’ve made a donation, no matter how large or small, thank you.

I feel passionately about Keep + Kind and its mission. By supporting Keep + Kind, you are also supporting the small, independent brands that are set to supply us. We are all grateful for any help you can provide. 

Sending hugs and lots of love!

This project successfully funded on 17th December 2019