Made with purpose
Each of these beautifully handcrafted products carries the story of an entrepreneur working hard to escape poverty in South Africa. From a trained accountant who found it difficult to find work after leaving Zimbabwe to a gifted seamstress who lacked the know-how to effectively sell her garments, each person’s story is a picture of determination and survival.
Our line of products is a path to financial stability. Not only does each purchase help provide a source of fair and reliable income for an entrepreneur, but it generates revenue for Paradigm Shift so that we may continue to equip churches to help individuals break the cycle of poverty in their lives for good.
Every product is hand-made in an African home and all entrepreneurs are paid a good price for their products so they can build a better life and future for their families.
Paradigm Shift Shop can only ship to addresses within the 48 contiguous states
Edwin – South African Wire-and-Bead Keepsakes
Edwin is a skillful wire and bead craftsman. He moved to South Africa with the dream of growing his business––a dream that has come true thanks to the knowledge he has gained through participating in the Paradigm Shift program.
Edwin began selling his products in an African craft market. And with his mentor’s help, he reached an agreement with a leading hotel chain and now sells his products through its gift shops as well.
Grace – Scwhe Schwe Laptop Sleeves and Totes
Grace plays many roles: she is a talented seamstress, wife and mother. But now, thanks to the Paradigm Shift business training, she is also a sharp businesswoman who invests and saves her business income.
Eager to give back to her community after all she has learned, Grace now volunteers with the Paradigm Shift program and helps other entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
Francinah – Hand-Stitched Appliqué Baby Clothes
Affectionately called a “gogo” (grandmother), Francinah maintains a youthful vigor and is determined not to slow down. She dreams of growing her business to include a wide variety of products.
A microloan from Paradigm Shift program enabled Francinah to purchase the raw materials she needed to stock an inventory of her products. Now, she can fill orders much faster without having to rely on a customer deposit.
Tich – Recycled Paper Scrapbooks/Journals Made in Zimbabwe
Though many question whether entrepreneurs are made or born, there is no doubt when it comes to Tich. He had always dreamed of owning a business. He’d tried once before in his native home of Zimbabwe and failed. But through Paradigm Shift he found the courage to try again. While attending the Paradigm Shift business training, Tich developed his idea for a new business. He then applied for a microloan, which he used to buy equipment to make items from from recycled paper.
Veronica – Hand-made Beaded Jewelry
Veronica is a single mother of five children. As the sole bread-winner of her home for many years, she was searching for work that would give her the flexibility to care for her children while also earning enough money to provide for their needs. Through the mentoring she is receiving in the Paradigm Shift program, Veronica’s bracelets have been elevated to a whole new level of excellence and style.
Talia – Sterling Silver Fine Jewelry
Talia is a young South African fashion and jewelry designer who has achieved the high success of being chosen to design the 2011 Nelson Mandela Legacy Bangle for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. She volunteers as a mentor to Paradigm Shift Shop’s artisans, coaching them on fashion trends, styles and colors.
Talia is offering these two select fine jewelry pieces in support of Paradigm Shift’s entrepreneurs. Each sale goes to further help an entrepreneur out of poverty.
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Paradigm Shift Shop can only ship to addresses within the 48 contiguous states.
