April 23 was Take Your Daughter to Work Day. Most working moms were home. So, what did that day look like?
“Working from home has been stressful,” says Liz Ha, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Five Talents, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through economic empowerment. “Some days it’s been challenging to be both present to all three kids while keeping on top of work and everything else.” A recent Facebook post showed siblings Bethany, Ainsley and Elliot, ages 11, 9 and 5, excitedly paddling a rubber kayak inflated in the family living room.
But there are more productive moments. “The girls are very curious about my work,” says Ha. “I’ve explained to them what I do…that I help people who live in countries where they don’t have any opportunity to create a business. They know that most of my clients are illiterate women with no education.”
Interest in what mom does led to doing what mom does.
Last month the girls turned their love for making beaded necklaces into a tidy Etsy start-up called Girls4Good. Selling for $15, the necklaces feature messages in Morse Code, such as “Love You Forever.” 100% of sales proceeds went to Doctors Without Borders to support first responders helping combat the corona virus.
“We’d always planned to do it, but life got busy. Then the virus hit and the girls had all this time. That’s when they got the idea of using their hobby to respond to what’s going on in the world.”
It’s a family affair. Liz stocked up on beads, father Eric set up the Etsy store, and Bethany and Ainsley learned their way around an Excel spreadsheet, tracking costs and sales. “They both are so passionate about it,” says Ha admiringly. “I was excited to encourage them.”
The stock of 50 necklaces sold out within a week, with $750 donated. “The response has really humbled us, and we’re now learning about scalability.” The girls worked hard to rebuild the inventory, and like good biz owners, they are growing their product line to include bracelets and earrings and heart necklaces for mother’s day.
And like good philanthropists, the girls are researching new places to give; the next recipient is the benevolence fund at their local church, which is helping members struggling financially during these times.
According to Ha, Five Talents is based on the idea that God has given everyone a talent they can use to help others. “I was excited to see this concept play out at home. Even little kids are able to bless other people.”
“We’ve received wonderful messages from friends and strangers. People are really encouraged by what the girls are doing.”