We are creators. We love the process of handmade items and the beauty of the labor and the love that goes into every stitch, seam, fold, tuck, and stuff. Knowing that an item is curated carefully from start to finish is something that makes us passionate about what we do everyday even more. 

We also love meeting others who share the same passion of creating, so it is always a joy to learn more about PillowCubes pillow customers and their own brand's stories. In today's Customer Spotlight, we're sharing more about our friends and customers frm Lucy & Jo, an incredible company of artisans who "sell beautiful handmade goods that bring you joy, empower people and save gorillas."  We were excited to chat with one of the owners of Lucy & Jo, Amy, to shine light on their story and cause. 

1) Tell us a little about your company. We want to hear about Lucy and Jo's background, what you specialize in and focus on, and your mission! 

Lucy & Jo grew out of my research on the mountain gorilla in Africa. I first fell in love with gorillas in the 7th grade when I had to do a report in my science class! But it was during my studies in graduate school I realized the connection between extreme poverty and threats to wildlife. So, I left school to pursue market-based solutions to social challenges. We partner with artists in Uganda and Kenya to design and co-create ethically handmade jewelry, accessories and home goods.

Over 90% of the artists we partner with are women. When women earn a sustainable livelihood they invest in their children's health and education. And education of girls is the best path

way out of poverty. Break the cycle of poverty and people don't have to go into the forest for resources - both the people and animals win! This is a long-term solution so for a more immediate impact we give 5% of every sale to the non-profit, Gorilla Doctors. They are veterinarians who intervene when a wild gorilla is sick or injured and save its life.

2) How long have you been in operation?
How did you start?

As I mentioned above, I fell in love with gorillas at the age of 12 and never stopped talking about it! So at 19 I traveled to Africa for the first time and spent 3 months in Kenya studying animal behavior and conservation. It was then I first discovered the amazing people and art and I think the seed for Lucy & Jo was planted. I spent several years working in start-ups, fair trade and non-profits before launching Lucy & Jo in 2016.

4) What sets you apart from other small shops and pillow providers?

All of our products are ethically handmade by artists in Uganda and Kenya. I travel there myself, we know all of [the artisans] personally, and we reinvest in their communities through tools, training and development projects. We pay the prices they set and sometimes more if we think they are under-valuing their work ... and we try and place small, consistent orders throughout the year to help them build stable incomes.

We work with two groups of women who make our pillows, a total of 48 women. We provide the fabric and sizes but the designs are entirely from their imagination, one-of-a-kind and fully hand-embroidered.

The larger group, the Kyamaleera Women's Handicraft Association, is a group of 40, very rural women who are mainly farmers. When we first started working with them the concept of a decorative pillow was totally foreign so we had fun explaining that women in the U.S. like pillows that are 'just for decoration'. Last year, as a result of our orders and people in the U.S. buying the pillows, the women were able to start a group savings program! It was the first time they ever had extra income. It's also allowed younger members of the group to step into leadership roles. When we arrived this past Spring, we saw that Yemimah had been able to paint her house and add doors and windows! She told us she was also able to buy her grandchildren new clothes.

5) Why did you choose PillowCubes inserts? Please share a little about your experience working with the PC team.

We LOVE PillowCubes! Core to our business model is the 'triple bottom line' concept. We value people, the planet and profits equally. So sustainable business practices are just as important as treating people fairly. We were thrilled to discover your eco-friendly pillow inserts made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and unbleached cotton. They are the only inserts we will use in our pillows! And working with the PC team has always been a delight... the are responsive, professional, and incredibly nice. Just really good people and we really appreciate that as a small business.

6) Anything else you’d like to add? Do you have any new products coming soon or plans for growth?I think the biggest thing for anyone who reads this is to realize how essential the consumer's role is in all of this. We wouldn't be able to do what we are without the people who believe in us and support us by purchasing our goods. We're still a very young business and not at all 'proven' but the people who have gotten behind us and the idea of business for good has been inspiring - like Pillow Cubes wanting to share our story! We are so grateful. Please consider joining our mailing list and following us on this crazy adventure! 

... PS: We often get asked "What’s with the name?" Amy Bond (Lucy) and Joann Schilling (Jo) are the founders of Lucy & Jo. We know the name is a little confusing, but don’t worry, we answer to both. Jo is short for Joann and Lucy was the nickname Amy’s Dad gave her as a kid and it just kind of stuck ;) 

To learn more about Amy or the Lucy & Jo story, visit LucyAndJo.com or  follow on Instagram at @LucyandJoExploring! 

<< Pictured Left: Amy and Lucy & Jo artisan Yemimah in front of freshly painted house in 2018. As a result of Lucy & Jo orders, Yemimah, was able to paint her house and add new doors and windows!)