In June 2024, I graduated from Bakke Graduate University with an Executive MBA degree. After graduation, I founded C&D LLC, a Community Development Company. Our mission is a commitment to bringing high-quality products from around the world to the market and allowing Indigenous artisans to enter a fair-trade market. We aim to use sustainable practices that do minimal harm to people and the planet. We are proud to have successfully closed our first business deal in July 2024, supplying high-quality T-shirts and polos to a U.S. NAVY church in Rota, Spain. This begins our journey towards a better, more sustainable future.
One aspect of our business model is giving back to communities. One foundation we partner with is Fundación Edúcame Comunidad y Desarrollo, which means "Educate Me Community and Development Foundation" in English. FECD is a foundation established by my family in 2023 in Medellin, Colombia, my home country. The foundation aims to alleviate extreme poverty and empower families through education and training using the vehicle of micro-credit loans. Our programs provide business skill training, and personal and professional development, to support sustainable community development. One beneficiary of the FECD micro-credit program is Monica Hernandez, a skilled fashion designer with over 30 years of experience. She utilized the micro-credit loan to pay off debts, purchase additional sewing machines to hire more seamstresses and convert her apartment into a professional design space, expanding her business.
Monica is responsible for designing and creating the products mentioned above. C&D is not just another for-profit business. We are a purposeful entity pioneering a better way of doing business to bring healing and restoration to the world. Our products are not just products; they are a statement. They are designed to be comfortable, durable, and stylish, making them an excellent choice for any occasion. But what truly sets them apart is their unique ability to empower businesses to showcase their values and personality, inspiring them to fulfill customer promises through our commitment to fair trade practices.
By integrating fair trade principles into our offerings, we ensure that every product reflects a dedication to ethical sourcing and sustainable practices. This approach easily aligns with other businesses’ values, which helps build trust and loyalty with customers who appreciate the integrity and responsibility behind such brands. Through our fair-trade products, businesses can effectively communicate their commitment to social and environmental responsibility, enhancing their brand identity and customer relationships.
Looking to the future, we are not just excited; we are ambitious about the potential to expand our product range and reach more customers and partners worldwide. We invite other businesses to join us and become part of the Transforming How Business is Done™ movement. Together, we can significantly impact the world, one purchase at a time. Our services include advising on customized corporate gifts, partner appreciation gifts, among others. We invite you to place your order with us! You may contact C&D LLC at carolina@cdllcco.com, Ph: 254-229-2113.
Carolina Meza De Clark
Colombia
Graduate Class of 2024