Thistle Farms Seeks Business Leaders for 2025 Collaboration Program
Make an impact on women survivors of trafficking, exploitation, and poverty across the world by joining the 2025 Shared Trade Collaboration Program.
Thistle Farms Shared Trade is an aligned network of artisan enterprises with the goal of providing dignified employment and economic opportunities for marginalized communities. The Collaboration Program pairs skilled professionals with Shared Trade artisan partners seeking guidance in marketing, financial growth, operations, and more to foster business growth and sustainability.
Since its inception in 2022, the Collaboration Program has redefined mentorship by emphasizing a strengths-based, relationship-first approach. The program has facilitated 304 individualized sessions, totaling over 400 hours of mentorship, and has distributed $50,000 in grants to participating enterprises.
Thistle Farms is seeking 20 new Collaborators for this year’s program, which runs from April to October. Volunteer professionals will work one-on-one with a Shared Trade Partner to provide tools, analysis, and strategic insights that directly contribute to the success of social enterprises. Past participants have helped businesses refine marketing strategies, improve operational efficiencies, and strengthen financial sustainability.
Shared Trade partners have seen measurable results from the Collaborator Program:
- Colectivo 1050 (Oaxaca, Mexico) – Artisans expanded leadership roles, improved production processes, and enhanced business strategy.
- Sustainable Threads (Northern India) – Focused on customer engagement through newsletters and data analysis, leading to increased sales and customer retention.
- Ethic Goods (Thailand) – Invested in Google Ads, professional product photography, and website improvements, resulting in a 3-4x increase in direct-to-consumer sales.
The deadline to apply as a Collaborator is February 28, 2025. The program begins in April and concludes in October. Business leaders with expertise in marketing, sales, finance, or operations are encouraged to apply. For more information and to apply, visit the Shared Trade Collaborator Application or email Sarah Daley, Shared Trade Program Coordinator, at sarah.daley@thistlefarms.org.