EPISODE 14 | Jacqueline Gustafson: People + Relationships in Creating Ethical Impact

Jacqueline Gustafson and her husband, David, are the founders of The Abeba Collection, LLC a lifestyle brand that sells handmade artisan goods and empowers women business leaders in the developing world. Jacqueline is also a University Dean and Professor, with 20 years of experience in higher education, and has been conducting research and developing programs and curriculum to promote equity and access for underserved populations in both local and global settings. Her education includes graduate degrees in psychology, education, and community development and she has worked extensively throughout the world, to include regions of South America, Africa, and Europe. Her work in the university setting expands into the community where she serves on community boards, to include those in her local community, with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Olive Crest, and has partnered with numerous non-profit organizations as a public speaker, consultant, and researcher at the national level, most recently with the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Though she is almost certainly an introvert, she loves to share her story, to include her family’s story of becoming an adoptive family with two sons from Ethiopia, and learn others’ stories; usually finding commonalities and shared universal human experiences in places and with people where it is least expected.

In this episode, Hayley, Jenny and Jacqui talk about bridging the gap between impactful artisan brands and the mainstream market place through sustainably scaling their products to suit these kinds of markets. Jacqui also touches on creating opportunity and partnerships and the impact that has on start-ups or established brands.