When Laura and Corey Neufeld launched their retail store The Better Good, they had one goal in mind: To become Saskatoon's one stop shop for ethical goods.
A decade later, the pair have well and truly established themselves as a leading retailer of planet and people-friendly products, helping countless members of the local community to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.
We chatted to Corey and Laura about their retail philosophy and why they choose to stock Laundromat.
Could you tell us a little bit about the history of The Better Good and how you first got started?
We opened in 2009 on Broadway Avenue in Saskatoon. We stayed in that location for five years, then had the opportunity to buy our own building a block away. It's been wonderful to have our own space because we've been able to do things like go fully solar powered!
We wanted to run a local bricks-and-mortar business to support the needs of our city. Ten years ago, it was quite difficult to find environmentally and socially sustainable products in person in Saskatoon, let alone all combined under the one roof.
We wanted to provide options for people who felt overwhelmed with having to research and source the products they needed and wanted to live more sustainably.
What does ‘sustainable living’ mean to you, and why is it important?
Sustainable means living in a way that the world can support.
It's important because we all live on into the future for forever – both in the mark we make on people and the planet during our lives, but also through our children. Every bit of ourselves will become something new, over and over endlessly. We believe it is important to take good care of it all, now and for the future.
What are your top 3 tips for someone who wants to live more sustainably but might not know where to start?
Need little,
want less.
Forget the rules.
Be untroubled.
– Lao Tzu, translated by Ursula K Le Guin from The Tao Te Ching
The Better Good invests 10% of earnings back into the local community. What have you been able to achieve thus far?
It's common to give 10% to support one's spiritual community, and our spiritual community is our whole city.
We have a focus on environmental and social justice, and so far have supported more than 60 projects with donations ranging from $1000-$15,000. Every contribution is intended to have a direct impact on people, planet, plants and animals.
What motivates you to stock Laundromat’s range? Is there something particular about our brand that you love?
It's Fair Trade! And it's beautifully cozy!
