We recently connected with Jennifer Olson and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Mosaic Collective started from a passion for helping vulnerable people around the world. Every single day millions of people experience exploitation and immense struggles. Whether this be human trafficking, domestic abuse, addiction, homelessness, and other vulnerabilities.

Human trafficking is the exploitation of vulnerability. And traffickers prey on the very people I mentioned above. In learning more about this I had to do something to help break the cycle of injustice. Mosaic Collective helps change the narrative for the overlooked in the world today.

Through sourcing ethical products we ensure people receive a living wage and a safe working environment. This allows our artisans to take care of their families and help their communities thrive. The money we spend every day shapes the world we live in. Every item at Mosaic Collective makes a difference in the lives of so many people around the world. I hope Mosaic Collective becomes a shop for you that allows you to transform the world for the better. Each product connects your story to someone else’s – creating a beautiful Mosaic of hope and freedom.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am what some might call an ‘accidental entrepreneur.’ I started my first business as a sophomore in college. I wanted to make mason jars and sell them to help nonprofits around the world. Each month, I picked a cause and a nonprofit and donated all the money to that organization at the end of the month. What I thought was going to be a little craft I did on the side turned into a flourishing business called Jars of Hope. Within months I began focusing all my efforts with this business on fighting human trafficking.

As a student, I had no idea what I was doing. I knew next to nothing about business but continued to move forward with a very good thing. I received support from professors, mentors, and students which helped this business grow. During my first year of college I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Starting my first business helped me find my passion. Helping vulnerable people through economic empowerment.

Once I graduated I started learning more about the issue of human trafficking. And one stat in particular kept coming up – 80% of trafficking victims go back to the life because they can’t find a dignified job. Seeing this disconnect I started learning more about employing survivors and about fair trade as a whole. I learned that there is a broken supply chain that we need to address. Today, the products we make have value but the people producing them are considered to be disposable. How do we change that narrative?

Mosaic Collective changes the narrative by sourcing products made by survivors of exploitation and other vulnerable people groups. We partner with fair trade brands committed to providing a living wage and a safe working environment for each person. The workplace is free from harassment, discrimination, and child labor. Instead of struggling to survive, families thrive under our brands. They are able to provide for themselves and their families and ensure economic growth for the community at large.

Our products are made by survivors of human trafficking, refugees, people with mental illnesses and disabilities, those transitioning out of homelessness, and many other vulnerable individuals. Through employment, we help reduce the cycle of exploitation and injustice that is pervasive in our world.

What I’ve learned in starting Mosaic Collective is that fair trade proves greater justice in the world is possible. Every dollar we spend matters and impacts another individual for better or worse. It is our goal to provide opportunities for people to shop knowing they are making a positive difference.

Any advice for managing a team?

As a small business owner I’ve learned that it is important to know your core values as an individual and in your business structure. It takes some work getting into the nitty gritty but it’s worth it. Once you know where you stand as a person and a business, you’re able to filter all decisions, hardships, etc. through those values.

For example, our top five values at Mosaic Collective are Justice, Compassion, Community, Justice, Integrity, and Generosity. When we need to resolve a conflict, make a decision, plan an event, etc. we make sure it lines up with our values. This plays out the same for me in my daily life with the values I hold as individual.

Lastly, it’s easy to get lost in hustle culture and forget to treat people, as, well, people. No matter how rushed or stressed I am I want maintain being fully present with my staff, our customers, and whoever I interact with on daily basis. I want to be able to love and listen well and always leave people feeling encouraged. Businesses flourish when those involved in any capacity feel seen and heard.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

In 2021 I went through a course called the School of Ethical Impact. This 12 week program taught me how to implement core business concepts through the lens of ethical and sustainable practices.

Some of my favorite books that have left an impact on me as an entrepreneur are:

1. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

This book is very helpful in learning who you are, your values, and how to put them into practice.

2. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

This book taught me the importance of slowing down.

3. Free to Focus

Really helpful book for time management and delegation as a business owner.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mosaicco.org/
• Instagram: @mosaiccollective_