In this episode of Not So Small, hosts Sam Bauman and Adam Rondeau sit down with Joy McBrien, founder of Fair Anita, a social enterprise partnering with 8,000 women artisans across nine countries to create handcrafted jewelry, gifts, and accessories.

Joy talks about why she chose to structure Fair Anita as a for-profit public benefit corporation, how she's reimagining supply chains as communities rather than transactions, and what it means to prioritize people over profit. The conversation explores the real challenges of running a values-driven business, from cash flow struggles to staying committed to what matters most.

Joy reflects on building a business rooted in collaboration and co-design, where artisan partners bring their own expertise, innovation, and genius to every aspect of the work. She shares how Fair Anita operates on genuine partnership rather than charity, and how starting from shared experiences created opportunities for mutual healing and community building.

This episode explores what it looks like to run a business where supply chains are communities, not transactions, and how staying committed to those values shapes everything from product design to how success is measured.
Guest Info:
Fair Anita (Website | Instagram)
Community Spotlights:
Global Mamas (Website | Instagram)
Vetiera Fair Trade (Website | Instagram)

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Host & Show Info

• Host Name: Sam Bauman (she/her)
• About the Host: Sam is the President of Mellowlark Labs, a Twin Cities-based small business consulting agency. She has a masters degree in counseling psychology, a field she worked in for several years before applying her skills in business, and is certified in Organization Development.

Podcast Website
Sound Editing By: Adam Rondeau
Podcast Art By: Andy Bauman (website)