Our Story

PetalDistrict began in 2019 as the idea that we could drastically change the world for the better by shopping ethically. But the seeds (no pun intended) of PetalDistrict were planted long before then.

While living in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood, I loved to shop at a boutique, ethically-sourced shop tucked away from the main thoroughfare. I felt great about the gifts and trinkets I bought because I knew they were either helping keep our oceans clean, promote women-owned businesses, or providing monetary support to those who needed it the most. And the unique, usually hand-crafted beauty in each item made the recipients of my gifts pretty excited too!

But tragically, that boutique shop closed and my access to shopping ethically along with it, or so it seemed. I discovered there was a community of ethical, mission-based shops on the internet. As much as I enjoyed knowing these shops existed, they were often contained to one mission or one kind of product. But finding the perfect gift was harder with so many ethical stores scattered on the web—still tucked away from the thoroughfare it seemed!

Fast-forward to 2018 in Seattle. I was living in a city that was built by online shopping and tech titans. But with every package dropped on a doorstep or in a mailroom, I noticed the environmental impact and the human impact this kind of convenience was creating. And all while CEO paychecks grew, there was little to no responsibility in investigating if products were made in ethical, environmentally-friendly ways.

Combating global destruction, greed, hate, and wastefulness is an awfully big job. But if we could apply the same purchasing power to the businesses that hold themselves to a higher standard as we do to those that don’t, imagine the positive ripple effects that would have for the world. That’s why PetalDistrict was created and why its mission is so important.

PetalDistrict’s goal is to bring mission-based businesses who live “away from the thoroughfare” into the spotlight. So that you can find what you’re looking for and positively impact the world in the process.

Good for you, good for the world.