When Jennifer Wong and Santos Agustin decided to start a local business in their Brooklyn neighborhood, they never imagined the global reach it would have.
The two friends, who are both passionate dog owners, wanted to bring handmade pet goods to the masses. They also wanted to ensure that the artisans they work with were treated well and paid fairly.
“It was very important to us when we created our brand that we could be completely transparent,” Agustin says.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gone to the Dogs was born: a pet accessory brand featuring ethically sourced and sustainably made products. Women artisans from low-income and immigrant communities in the New York City area make the accessories, which include collars, leashes, toys and more.
Wong and Agustin also partner with women in countries around the world, from Cambodia to Ghana and beyond. These artisans participate in a fair-trade agreement, ensuring craftsmanship in exchange for livable wages and safe working conditions.
“They provide job and income opportunities for these women who otherwise might not be able to send their children to school or simply put food on the table,” says Jenny Huang, Business Relationship Manager at JPMorgan Chase. “Being an Asian immigrant myself, I feel proud to work for a company that supports women in business, especially AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) women in business.”