What If You Could Purchase A Handmade Item And Provide A Meal For A Child In Need?
Would that affect your shopping choices?
This is something that you don't really hear about from the most(?) big box stores unless there is a major holiday season approaching. And something I have NEVER heard about from any marketplace websites.
But I came across one purely by accidental chance.
I found out about goimagine.com while reading some posts about the unexpected Zibbet shutdown. Many creatives were kinda scrambling. Some had abandoned Etsy a long time ago and really didn't want to go back. Others still had Etsy shops but wanted an extra "egg basket" for their wares.
It was in this discussion that someone mentioned a brand new marketplace that actually gave profits to homeless childrens' charities. NOT into the pockets of investors or board members.
IKR? People before profit - who would've thunk such a thing?
After Etsy went public, it was like they sold the souls of the creatives that believed in their original concept. It went from connecting handmade sellers to discerning buyers to doing whatever it took to get that almighty dollar to give to the investors - while finding more ways to take those same dollars from the hard-working artisans' bottom lines. All under the guise of the cost of doing business.
But here was a NEW CONCEPT for sellers to get excited about - goimagine - The Marketplace That Cares. I had to check this out for myself. And I loved what I found out!
My research really made me feel like there was hope for the world again.
And I could be part of it just by doing what I loved and earning a modest income as long as I applied myself by doing the work. My beadwork can help a child in some small way. It's a total win-win. Check out this video for the basic information...
This isn't the only video that explains their mission. They have a full YouTube Channel that provides more about their mission statement, how-tos for setting up your shop, and various other extremely useful information.
Not in one video did I hear that we must leave our Etsy shops behind. In fact, just the opposite. They know that at this point, Etsy is still the Top-Dawg via organic search. But they (goimagine) do help by giving sellers the tools they need to get started. And so far, anytime I have had a question, they generally respond within 24 hours.
But So Many Sites Have Tried To Be Like Etsy And Fell Terribly Short!
I agree. I've tried almost all of them and there was always something that just turned me off to them. They just couldn't get steam behind their projects. But I believe that goimagine is different because they aren't trying to compete with Etsy. They are being different by having a mission above profits.
Their pricing is comparable to Etsy's. Depending on the package that you sign up for, you can even get your own standalone website along with being on the marketplace. With Etsy, you have to pay extra to get the Pattern site add-on.
I already believe in goimagine so much that I already have my own dot com, primitiveriches.com, redirected to my new website on goimagine.
I want to see this marketplace succeed. For the right reasons!
I believe in their mission. In a world where our value is measured in dollars, to know that I can be a part of a change for the most innocent and vulnerable victims of the economic crisis is a major high point for me. To create the beadwork that I love while helping a child - who can ask for more.
I have only been on the site a few days and have had no sales as of yet. But I believe just by sharing this site and busting my butt to build my own business here, I am doing a small part to improve this world.
Will you join me in supporting goimagine and the sellers there? Stop by and take a peek. I sincerely believe we can make a difference.
Until next time,
LindaSue
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