Dec 10, 2008 9:52 am US/Eastern
Holiday Shopping: Save Money, Give Back
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
For local entrepreneur Sean McCloskey, running a successful business requires taking a second look.
"My business isn't necessarily what is appears to be on the surface. Not only do we have extraordinary products and prices, but we're also providing a social benefit and creating positive change," said McCloskey.
As founder of
worthyfashion.com, McCloskey sells designer sunglasses and accessories for a discount, then donates 5 to ten percent of the profits to charity.
"We've aligned ourselves with sixteen organizations who are doing extraordinary things," said McCloskey.
At check-out, customers have the opportunity to select a charity of their choice … from issues of social injustice to environmental concerns, healthcare and education.
A small staff and makeshift office help this internet-startup afford such charity, which the company hopes will lead to more business.
"The more people decide to support this movement, the more headway we will make in fighting this recession and I do think we can be more prosperous than ever before," explained McCloskey.
This idea of giving customers the opportunity to give back has become a national trend. Yahoo represents the latest company to jump on the bandwagon, with
goodsearch.com, a search engine that donates one-penny per search to your favorite non-profit.
Similarly,
goodshop.com acts as an online shopping mall donating a percentage of profit to charity, then providing the consumer with coupons and deals.
"Business is typically a zero sum game …someone loses and someone wins. In this instance, that's not the case at all. Everyone wins."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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