Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Stinson.
Hi Jennifer, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My work in fair trade and ethical, sustainable fashion began with a moment of clarity I could not ignore.
In 2014, while living in South Korea and traveling throughout East and Southeast Asia, I experienced extraordinary beauty, culture, and craftsmanship. But alongside that, I began to see different forms of poverty that stayed with me. One day, on the way to the airport in a beach town in Cambodia, everything shifted. What I witnessed brought tears to my eyes and a weight I felt physically. In that moment, I knew I didn’t want to simply observe the disparity. I wanted to be part of creating sustainable change, not handouts, especially for women and children in the developing world.
That conviction stayed with me long after I returned home, and it led me to Noonday in 2016, where I became a partner and stakeholder. What began as a small business quickly became a deeply personal mission. Through Noonday, I partnered with artisan businesses around the world, supporting dignified, sustainable work while introducing women here in the U.S. to products rooted in story, craftsmanship, and impact, while also creating meaningful impact within my own local community.
Over the years, I also became more aware of the realities behind global supply chains, including the presence of modern-day slavery and exploitation that still exists today. That awareness deepened my commitment to ethical sourcing and to using my business as a way to advocate for transparency, dignity, and long-term opportunity for the people behind the products.
Over the past decade, I have built my business through thoughtfully curated experiences, relationship-driven events, and a commitment to education around fair trade. It has never been just about what we wear. It is about understanding the hands behind what we buy and recognizing that our everyday choices can create meaningful opportunity across the globe.
Now, in 2026, I am stepping into my next chapter with the launch of Gathered Goods Co., a curated retail concept that brings together everything I have learned over the past ten years. This new venture expands beyond a single brand to offer a collection of ethically made goods, each selected for its beauty, quality, and the story it carries.
Gathered Goods Co. reflects a belief I have come to hold deeply. That style and substance are not mutually exclusive. That what we choose to bring into our lives should be as meaningful as it is beautiful.
At its core, my work is about connection. Connecting people to purpose, to craftsmanship, and to a more thoughtful, globally minded way of living.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but the challenges have been incredibly shaping.
One of the biggest hurdles has been finding the right people to partner with, people who truly understand why this work matters. Fair trade and ethical fashion require a shift in mindset. It asks consumers to look beyond price and convenience and instead value craftsmanship, story, and impact.
There is also an ongoing need for education. Many people do not immediately realize that these products are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans, often using techniques passed down through generations. As part of the slow fashion movement, these pieces are created with intention, not speed, and with a commitment to fair wages for the people who make them. Helping others see the beauty, time, and care behind each piece, and why preserving these generational crafts matters, has been both a challenge and a responsibility I take seriously.
At times, I have felt the tension of building something slower and more intentional in a world driven by fast fashion and mass production. Staying grounded in my values while growing a business requires clarity, patience, and conviction.
But that tension has ultimately strengthened my commitment. Because behind every product is a person, a family, and a legacy worth sustaining.
Ultimately, the challenges have reinforced my belief that this work is not just important, it is necessary. And that makes every obstacle along the way worth it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Gathered Goods Co. is a curated retail concept rooted in ethical sourcing, timeless design, and global connection. The brand was born out of nearly a decade of experience in fair trade through my work with Noonday, where I partnered with artisan businesses around the world to support dignified, sustainable employment.
Launching in July, Gathered Goods Co. brings together a collection of thoughtfully selected goods from ethical brands and artisan partners, each piece chosen not only for its beauty and quality, but for the story and impact behind it. From handcrafted accessories to meaningful, small-batch goods, everything is curated with intention.
What sets my business apart is the depth of connection behind the products. I am not simply sourcing items, I understand where they come from, how they are made, and who made them. Many of the pieces reflect generations of craftsmanship, created using traditional techniques that are being preserved through fair trade partnerships and a commitment to fair wages.
I specialize in creating elevated, relationship-driven shopping experiences that invite people to engage more thoughtfully with what they buy. Whether through pop-up events, private gatherings, or curated collections, my goal is to help people see that their purchases can reflect both personal style and personal values.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of building something that feels both beautiful and meaningful. Gathered Goods Co. exists at the intersection of style and substance, where design, impact, and storytelling come together seamlessly.
What I want readers to know is that this is not just about products. It is about shifting perspective. It is about understanding that what we choose to bring into our lives can support artisans in the developing world, help keep families together, and create opportunities that allow children, especially girls, to attend school. It is also about preserving cultural craftsmanship and creating sustainable livelihoods around the world, all while feeling elevated, timeless, and uniquely personal.
“Curated with Intention.”
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that often surprises people is how much of my work is shaped by my life outside of business.
I have traveled to over 80 countries and have stepped foot on all seven continents, and those experiences have deeply influenced how I see the world and the way I curate. I have spent time in the places where many of these goods are made, witnessing both incredible craftsmanship and the realities artisans face. That perspective is what drives my commitment to ethical sourcing and meaningful connection.
I am also an avid scuba diver and have explored oceans around the world. Some of my most memorable moments have been diving alongside oceanic manta rays and tiger sharks, experiences that have given me a profound appreciation for both beauty and fragility, something that carries into how I approach my work.
Before all of that, I was a competitive athlete for most of my life, a baton twirler from age five through college, where I competed at national, regional, and state levels and served as the feature twirler at my university. That discipline and drive still shape how I show up in business today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jenniferstinson.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferrstinson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GatheredGoodsCoFL
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferrstinson
