Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Hall.
Hi Taylor, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The heart of my business was inspired by a book I read in high school, written by Annie Leonard called “The Store of Stuff.” It’s a book I highly recomend, and is included in our library at Evergreen. It goes through the journey of how everyday items come into our lives. From extracting resources, labor, retail, use, and afterlife. This book was eye-opening, as it showed how extractive this process is and how harmful it is not only for the planet but also for people along the supply chain. It made me beyond sad to know that what I was purchasing every day was supporting the exploitative business practices. And for the life of me, I couldn’t find an easy way to avoid this for everything I need in life. And while my shop doesn’t cover ALL of life’s necessities, we are able to provide alternatives to the things we use heavily on a daily basis. So you can purchase items from cleaning essentials, to shampoo, and even fair trade stainless steel lunch tins in one store, knowing that they are made ethically, sustainably and from transparent brands.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I mean, owning a retail store, it’s just not easy. Of course, there are struggles. Cash flow, finding the best inventory for my customers. Trying to make it through the slower seasons. Attempting to pay myself a living wage while also keeping my prices accessible to my community. Retail is not for the faint of heart; it takes a supportive community and the constant ability to challenge my existing beliefs, and the desire to keep trying new things for my business to succeed. Transparently, though, I can be having a really rough mental health day, bills due, feelings of failure…but then one customer will come in and say how greatful they are that the store is open, how they wouldn’t be able to find these items as easily if if wasn’t for Evergreen and it honestly makes the struggles worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of Evergreen Collective. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Evergreen Collective exists to help our neighbors find sustainable & ethical everyday essentials. Researching brands, ordering from 10 different websites, waiting for them to ship…paying for shipping. It all takes a LOT of time and energy. My goal is to simplify that process for our customers. We fill our shop with our absolute favorite sustainable essentials, with a mix of vintage, new & refillable products, and we are always here to answer your questions. You don’t have to spend hours researching, just stop on in and ask us your sustainability questions. I hand-pick every product in the store, and absolutely love chatting about why I believe they are the best available.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
They can come into to our Shop at 1104 Grand Avenue, or order from us online at www.ecoevergreen.co
We are also always looking to partner with like-minded businesses for events/projects.
Some really fun programs we are doing right now are “Swap & Support Nights,” where people invite their community into the store and we donate 10% of sales to a local organization of their choice (we have people do this for their birthdays!)
Or, if you are fundraising for a local organization, we will give you 20% off a gift basket that will be featured in a silent auction or raffle.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ecoevergreen.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecoevergreen.co/
