LIFESTYLE
Hand in Hand
A Cleaner Future
Hand in Hand plans to release a number
of new products in the near future. Among
its newest is a line of candles, made from
100% USA-sourced, GMO-free soy wax.
All products are offered in these succulent
scents: orange blossom, white tea,
lavender, rose water, sea salt, wildflower,
and fern.
Good for the Planet, Too
Bill and Courtney’s mission doesn’t end
with clean water. Every product sold
also saves 50-square feet of rainforest.
These “social entrepreneurs” use natural
ingredients, harvested and grown in an
environmentally-friendly way. One thing
you won’t find in their soap: palm oil. High
demand for palm oil has resulted in rapid
clearing of tropical rainforests.
Both Courtney Apple and her husband Bill Glaab knew they had to do more. The
Philadelphia-based couple met in college, then followed respective careers in
photography and financial services. The pursuit of personal fulfillment, as well as a
yearning to do good in the world, inspired them to start Hand in Hand in 2011.
Hand in Hand was designed to offer more than just scented candles, bath salts, and
bar soap. For every bar of soap purchased, the company donates a bar – as well as
one month of clean water – to people in developing countries, primarily Haiti. Millions
of children die each year due to illnesses, which could easily be prevented by hand
washing and clean water.
“The goal was to come up with a household product people use every day, which had
the power to save lives. The best part of our job is being able to give back,” says Bill.
Courtney is the company’s chief visionary, while Bill handles the business operations.
The two are, admittedly, complete opposites, except when it comes to changing the
world. They’ve just returned from the mountainside village of Onaville, Haiti, where they
built the area’s first well. It will provide clean water for more than 240 families, some of
which had to walk nearly ten miles for water every day.
handinhandsoap.com
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