When Lindsay Theken, a stay-at-home mom from Colorado, was ready to return to the workforce, she knew she wanted to work on her own terms in a less-traditional workplace. Theken was constantly wearing headbands to keep her hair out of her face while living her active, day-to-day lifestyle, but she couldn’t find a fit and style that worked best for her. Born out of her own need for something new, Theken decided she wanted to create her own headband line: HeadPeace.
Launched in 2016, the design process was easy for Theken, but turned more difficult when looking for a manufacturer whose practices met her standards. “I'm sure many of the factories overseas I was in contact with were fine businesses, but it didn't sit comfortably with me,” says Theken. “With the language barrier, I was unsure what the conditions were in these factories.” To her luck, Theken was at her daughter’s gymnastics class when she met another parent, from Nepal, who owned a textile manufacturing company.
Purnaa, the production company, had everything Theken wanted from an overseas manufacturer. The socially conscious plant prides itself on ethically manufacturing high-quality products and creating job opportunities for the marginalized population of Nepal, particularly to help women who have been exploited via trafficking or slavery get back on their feet. It provides a workplace free of discrimination, pays employees higher than living wage, and offers on-the-job training and scholarships for adult education and personal development. The company is World Fair Trade Organization guaranteed, meaning its dedication to people and the planet adhere to the official 10 Fair Trade Principles. In 2018, through the Purnaa Empowerment Fund, 15 of the company’s employees received drivers licenses, seven learned to swim through swimming lessons, 10 took courses to learn English, and six received general education certificates.
Through Purnaa, HeadPeace creates headbands that are 96 percent Rayon and 4 percent Spandex, making them soft, stretchy, and comfortable while remaining put. The headbands are machine washable, making them suitable for use in spa treatment rooms. Plus, HeadPeace is available in bulk order sizes, making them ideal for spa and fitness center retail areas. In addition to online availability, HeadPeace headbands can currently be found in hundreds of retail stores across the country, including Natural Grocers, CorePower Yoga, Olympia Sports, and CycleBar.
What’s next for HeadPeace? “I hope to take HeadPeace to the next level, and plan to help even more people that need a little extra help in Nepal,” says Theken.
Learn more about HeadPeace and Purnaa on the official websites.
RELATED STORIES
Seven Beauty Brands Committed to Environmentally Sound Packaging
Pevonia Provides Clean Water to Communities in Uganda with Charity:Water