Today I met a thoughtful, kind and interesting man while working at the Fair-Trade week at Wholefoods Kensington.

When I started the Jonathan Ward London collection, I thought I had considered the most ethical framework for my small company to spring from. The young man (Ben) whom I met this afternoon suggested that the choices I made for my company, might have been detrimental in terms of cultivating international Fair Trade relations. I selected a farm grown soy and Iowan Beeswax from the United States and shunned soy that was responsible for deforestation from South America. He posed the question that as my company grew it might be wiser to seek out smaller companies in South America – that could benefit from the work, rather than compensating already established American companies.

The choices I made when founding Jonathan Ward London were formulated with quite a single minded environmental approach. I believe that in the long term we will benefit on a more profound level if business’s have clean air, clean seas and rich land from which to operate. I couldn’t really feel relaxed in conscience knowing that I was helping a third world country, while being responsible for the depletion of rich rainforests.

I believe that I have some further research to undertake to see if i can achieve a balance between supporting trade in Third World Countries and maintaining an environmental awareness and sensitivity. Thank you Ben, you left me with more than you know – I hope you enjoy your Cherrywood Falls candle!