Buy something from Soap Hope
… and help reduce poverty. This company, whose headquarters is on East Side Avenue, just outside our neighborhood, is a “for-profit company with a nonprofit mission.” Soap Hope sells, well, soap, from makers such as Zum Bar and Pangea Organics. It also sells cosmetics, food, tea, cleaning supplies, messenger bags, even dog shampoo. All of the products are natural, paraben free, cruelty free and, in some cases, organic or recycled. Every dollar you spend with Soap Hope goes to helping women around the world get a hand up. The company works with three micro-lenders to make interest-free loans to women working in cottage industry or starting up small businesses. Soap Hope turns all its profits over to the lenders for one year. At the end of that year, the loans are repaid and Soap Hope collects its profits. So basically, Soap Hope delays its profits for one year while women use the money to make their business ideas a reality. Salah Boukadoum, who lives in Coppell, founded the company in 2008 because he realized this business model is not just doing something positive for humanity. “I’m doing it because it’s great for business,” he says. The company has seen 100 percent year-over-year growth because it’s doing something good, and customers like that. Soap Hope products are available for purchase online only at soaphope.com.
• Know of ways that neighbors can spend time, attend an event, or purchase or donate something to benefit a neighborhood nonprofit? Email your suggestion to launch@advocatemag.com.
