Interview with the Founders of Starling Box To Help Survivors of Human Trafficking

Hello! Today I wanted to introduce you to the founders of a brand that literally transforms lives, a brand that gives hope to those that once had none…the Founders of Starling Box.  Out of all of the subscription boxes in the world that you can purchase, this box is truly life-changing.  When you make a purchase, you will also have the peace of mind knowing that you will be doing a whole lot of good by purchasing from a non-profit ethical subscription box company!

“This is more than a subscription.  This is a movement.”

-Starling Box

So, here we go…

Can you tell me your story about why you started Starling Box?

For most of our lives, human trafficking was never something that anyone around us really talked about or discussed. Of course we knew it existed, but it was hard to see how we could make a difference to stop it. In buying decisions, there was always attention to the cost or quality of the clothing but never really to the person behind the clothing and how it was made. That's why when we heard the horrifying statistics and read the stories of survivors, it was shocking and terrifying that such a huge industry built on exploitation and abuse could have been so well hidden. We realized that in the products we buy, we were contributing to trafficking and that we could make a difference just by raising awareness of the issue and buying more ethically. The stories of the millions who have survived trafficking were heartbreaking, and we heard that many of them, especially survivors of sex trafficking, often find it difficult to find employment after escaping trafficking due to the stigma surrounding them. We were inspired to find companies that not only rehabilitate and offer services to survivors but also provide them with vocational training and a fair paying job that treats them with respect.

The name “Starling” is very intriguing, can you please tell us what it means and why you chose this name for our subscription boxes?

Starlings are birds that flock together in the thousands in a formation called a murmuration. Unlike most animal formations, there is no one leader to the murmuration. They all move together, following the instincts of each individual, relying on and guiding each other. Each one is important, each one benefits the group. And together, they are able to overcome anything. They fly together, trust each other, and protect their flock. This is what we want Starling Box to be. A community where everyone is valued and loved, where everyone’s voice matters. A community that protects everyone and recognizes that everyone deserves our dignity and respect.

What is Starling Box’s mission?

Our mission is to break the silence around human trafficking and get more people involved in the fight against it. It’s actually the second largest criminal industry in the world, but it receives relatively little media attention, and, as a result, there is a lack of understanding in the public about what trafficking is. First, we aim to reduce stigma around trafficking survivors by supporting brands that offer survivors and at-risk individuals fair wages and safe employment. This economic empowerment gives survivors the tools to restore their dignity and independence, while also overcoming much of the negative stigma that usually faces them and excludes them from employment. We also donate all of our profits to nonprofit organizations, such as Zoe International, fighting human trafficking, which do work such as rescuing victims of trafficking, representing them in court, and working to create policy changes that crack down on the industry as a whole. And, lastly, our goal is to raise awareness. We want to promote more meaningful conversation on the topic of trafficking and ways in which individuals can fight trafficking, and we do this by spreading awareness, showcasing ethical brands, and deconstructing common misconceptions about trafficking.

So, how does Starling Box work?

Starling Box is an ethical subscription box that delivers our favorite on-trend lifestyle goods to your doorstep every season! We fill our boxes with beautiful products made by brands that employ survivors and at-risk individuals to give them fair employment and training. These products include bath, home décor, jewelry, skincare, snacks, and more! So once a subscriber signs up, they’ll receive a box of different items from around the world each quarter!

How much of the proceeds from Starling Box go to survivors and at-risk individuals and how is this made possible?

All of the profit from Starling Box goes to organizations that fight human trafficking. These amazing organizations shelter and provide support, medical care, and safety to survivors of all backgrounds. They also work within the law to provide justice and protection for trafficking survivors and work to end the stigma surrounding survivors.

How many times a year will Starling Box deliver to us and what kinds of products should we expect to receive?

You’ll receive a box of 7-8 exciting and varied lifestyle goods every season (once every 3 months). All of our products are unique, artisan-made, and globally crafted! In fact, our first box has products from Nepal, India, the US, Rwanda, and Thailand- it basically takes you on a trip around the world! The products will vary every season to avoid clutter, and they will be carefully curated skincare products, bath and self-care items, home décor, jewelry, snacks, accessories, and more.

How can other brands include their products in Starling Box if they’d like to join the movement?

We love to meet brands that are in line with our mission and that provide fair employment to survivors and at-risk individuals! Our contact information is support@starlingbox.freshdesk.com.

Where can we find Starling Boxes?

Our website is www.starlingbox.org , and that’s where you can find information about us and subscribe!

Our Instagram handle is: starlingbox, and our Facebook and Pinterest are both Starling Box as well. We also have a blog, www.starlingmurmurs.org, where we post about ethical fashion, new trends, party and decorating tips, information on human trafficking, and more!

Thank you so much for sharing Starling Box’s story with us!  We hope that our eyes will remain open with hearts aware of what purchasing a subscription box from Starling Box can do for these brave survivors.