Fall Fashion with 2SGAs we march through October, the leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, and the festivities are approaching. If you’re looking for some fresh, cozy options to help your wardrobe through the season’s change, look no further! Here are a few styling options to add some autumnal flair to your outfits. Mia Clutch: A sleek, compact piece that adds an understated elegance to any fall outfit. Pair this versatile clutch with a cozy knit sweater and high-waisted trousers for a chic, polishe...
How to Keep Poor People PoorOne day, I was traveling with Benson to Port Au Prince in the car to buy supplies. Just me and him. Benson Thermidor is the leader of the Leather Workshop. He has grown it from a one-man operation binding songbooks and recovering Bibles to a company employing nearly twenty people. Now they make journals and leather bags that have become the centerpiece of 2nd Story Goods. I came to love these one-on-one times in the car with this young brilliant person. First, he would sleep for an hour...
Rich in Faith and Corn StewOnce again, I was slain. I started my day battling a dark cloud that was attempting to set up residence in my mind. It happens. Sometimes it is a little gray poof of a cloud and other days it is so vast and dark I can barely see a pinprick of light. Do I struggle with depression? Does anyone not? I have come to think of it as a rhythm. Most days are up and then a few days go down. This day was down. I climbed on my sturdy yellow motorcycle and drove through town, crying out for a way of esca...
Crafting New Narratives: The 2SG Story CollectionThere are some thoughts and memories you just want to hold onto for longer than a moment. With the 2nd Story Goods Story Journals, you can put pen to paper and create a world where your narrative lasts forever. These journals aren't just a collection of blank pages—they're a space to explore, reflect, and create your story. At their core, Story Journals are inspired by the idea that we’re all in the process of writing our own stories. Life is full of twists, turns, and endless possib...
5 Mindfulness Practices to Help You Stay GroundedWho is Not I But We? Since 2019, Not I But We has been a beloved partner of 2nd Story Goods, creating artisan products to fight against the injustices of human trafficking. By working with the survivors of human trafficking in Cape Town, South Africa, NIBW empowers women to heal physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually to ensure that they not only survive, but thrive. NIBW Mindfulness Bracelets One of the newest products from our partnership with Not I But We is the co...
The Whole Story of the Paper Mache VaseAwkward conversations and the Paper Mache Vase. Tricky conversations are awkward and who loves diving into those moments? But if we don’t have awkward talks, we can’t lead well, we don’t grow closer to the important people in our lives and we don’t get stronger as humans in our evolving process. We can’t build great companies. And we get stuck. As we developed our 2nd Story Goods leadership team in Haiti, I realized that we needed to have more Big Awkward Conversations. We were dancing aro...
Perfect Moral ClarityMy very first trip to Haiti: We pulled over to the side of the road to pray. I saw her coming. A thin, somber looking woman, perhaps in her mid-thirties, a baby cradled in her arms as she walked toward us. She approached the vehicle and waited patiently for us to look up. When we did my friend, Sherrie, in the driver’s seat, spoke. Sherrie is the friend who founded the school in Port Au Prince where we intended to volunteer. Small, red-headed and feisty, she loved the people in her community ...
The Oaxaca CollectionWe are beyond excited to share the story behind our newest partnership with talented artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico! First, a little background as to how we got here: As you likely know, 2nd Story Goods got its start in Gonaives, Haiti over a decade ago. We have spent so many years building a strong infrastructure and leadership both in Haiti and the US, and now as a result, all of our work in Haiti is completely locally led! In recent years, as we have grown and evolved, we have thought, how c...
NIBW: Fall ArrivalsIt’s official—our cherished artisans at Not I But We have created some new additions that we are so excited to share! These fall arrivals are the perfect easy, stylish touch to your wardrobe for the upcoming season. Read more about the NIBW products below. Kimono If you've been looking for a versatile piece to elevate your wardrobe, this kimono might be the answer. Handcrafted with care and intention, it’s one of those rare items that look effortlessly stylish with almost anything. W...
Holiday Decor GuideNovember 1, 2023 It's already November, which means Christmas time is upon us! It also means you might be looking for some new decor to get your home ready for the holidays. If this sounds like you, then look no further - 2nd Story Goods has you covered with our collection of holiday products that will make perfect additions to your decor this year. Check out some of our favorites below... Standing Metal Trees We love these recycled metal trees! Let them stand alone or grab one of ea...
The Little Bits of Good that Overwhelm the World“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good that overwhelm the world.” -Desmond Tutu In typical 2SG fashion, I am doing a 10 minute essay on our time together in South Africa. When I think of how to describe the experience, consolation is the only thing that comes to mind. Everything about having MK and Olivia in Cape Town at this particular time felt right. It was a pivotal moment in the journey of Not I But We, truly on the cusp of our next season, and to have...
Chapter 23, Around the EdgesThe following is Chapter 23, Around the Edges, of our founders book Painfully Honest The Tale of a Recovering Helper. “Some days overflow with hope. These days explode with signs of ruins rebuilt and a noisy cacophony of chains falling off our shackled feet. God is everywhere and in every face. Other days Grim Perspective comes to hang out for a while. And all we see are: Children still naked, playing in the dirt People still begging, "give me one dollar" Despair and hunge...
2023 Holiday Gift Guide: For the GirlsNovember 3, 2023 Find your gifts for the girls this year at 2nd Story Goods! Whether she's your mom, sister, aunt, friend, significant other, or anyone in between - you're sure to find an incredible gift for her right here! Shop our collection of unique and handcrafted jewelry and accessories with our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for the Girls! 1. Printed Headband Cute, super stretchy, trendy, and practical. Great gift for the girls who love their hair accessories! 2. Alana ...
2023 Holiday Gift Guide: For MomNovember 3, 2023 Searching for a holiday gift for Mom? Look no further - we've got you covered with everything from handcrafted jewelry to handbags. These are some of our favorites; they'll be sure to put a smile on her face when she unwraps them this season! Here's our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for Mom! 1. Leather Saddlebag Our Leather Saddlebag is perfect for Mom to take anywhere - it has the comfort of a crossbody but is generous enough to carry a few more necessar...
2023 Holiday Gift Guide: For DadNovember 3, 2023 Looking for Dad's holiday gift? Check out our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for Dad - you're sure to find something unique and perfect for him that will show him how much he means to you. Shop our collection of handcrafted leather products and accessories here! 1. Compact Card Wallet A simple wallet perfect for any Dad. One side is easy access to the most used cards. And the other side has multiple slots for more cards or cash. 2. Classic Men...
2023 Holiday Gift Guide: For the BoysNovember 1, 2023 It can be difficult to find the right gifts for the boys in your life, but we've got you covered! Check out our collection of wallets, journals, and accessories in our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for the Boys. We're sure you'll find the perfect gift for him! 1. Compact Card Wallet The best of our leather cardholder and minimalist wallet were combined to form the Compact Card Wallet, making it easy to access his most-used cards and still store extra cards...
Fall Fashion with 2SG
As we march through October, the leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, and the festivities are approaching. If you’re looking for some fresh, cozy options to help your wardrobe through the season’s change, look no further! Here are a few styling options to add some autumnal flair to your outfits. Mia Clutch: A sleek, compact piece that adds an understated elegance to any fall outfit. Pair this versatile clutch with a cozy knit sweater and high-waisted trousers for a chic, polishe...
How to Keep Poor People Poor
One day, I was traveling with Benson to Port Au Prince in the car to buy supplies. Just me and him. Benson Thermidor is the leader of the Leather Workshop. He has grown it from a one-man operation binding songbooks and recovering Bibles to a company employing nearly twenty people. Now they make journals and leather bags that have become the centerpiece of 2nd Story Goods. I came to love these one-on-one times in the car with this young brilliant person. First, he would sleep for an hour...
Rich in Faith and Corn Stew
Once again, I was slain. I started my day battling a dark cloud that was attempting to set up residence in my mind. It happens. Sometimes it is a little gray poof of a cloud and other days it is so vast and dark I can barely see a pinprick of light. Do I struggle with depression? Does anyone not? I have come to think of it as a rhythm. Most days are up and then a few days go down. This day was down. I climbed on my sturdy yellow motorcycle and drove through town, crying out for a way of esca...
Crafting New Narratives: The 2SG Story Collection
There are some thoughts and memories you just want to hold onto for longer than a moment. With the 2nd Story Goods Story Journals, you can put pen to paper and create a world where your narrative lasts forever. These journals aren't just a collection of blank pages—they're a space to explore, reflect, and create your story. At their core, Story Journals are inspired by the idea that we’re all in the process of writing our own stories. Life is full of twists, turns, and endless possib...
5 Mindfulness Practices to Help You Stay Grounded
Who is Not I But We? Since 2019, Not I But We has been a beloved partner of 2nd Story Goods, creating artisan products to fight against the injustices of human trafficking. By working with the survivors of human trafficking in Cape Town, South Africa, NIBW empowers women to heal physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually to ensure that they not only survive, but thrive. NIBW Mindfulness Bracelets One of the newest products from our partnership with Not I But We is the co...
The Whole Story of the Paper Mache Vase
Awkward conversations and the Paper Mache Vase. Tricky conversations are awkward and who loves diving into those moments? But if we don’t have awkward talks, we can’t lead well, we don’t grow closer to the important people in our lives and we don’t get stronger as humans in our evolving process. We can’t build great companies. And we get stuck. As we developed our 2nd Story Goods leadership team in Haiti, I realized that we needed to have more Big Awkward Conversations. We were dancing aro...
Perfect Moral Clarity
My very first trip to Haiti: We pulled over to the side of the road to pray. I saw her coming. A thin, somber looking woman, perhaps in her mid-thirties, a baby cradled in her arms as she walked toward us. She approached the vehicle and waited patiently for us to look up. When we did my friend, Sherrie, in the driver’s seat, spoke. Sherrie is the friend who founded the school in Port Au Prince where we intended to volunteer. Small, red-headed and feisty, she loved the people in her community ...
The Oaxaca Collection
We are beyond excited to share the story behind our newest partnership with talented artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico! First, a little background as to how we got here: As you likely know, 2nd Story Goods got its start in Gonaives, Haiti over a decade ago. We have spent so many years building a strong infrastructure and leadership both in Haiti and the US, and now as a result, all of our work in Haiti is completely locally led! In recent years, as we have grown and evolved, we have thought, how c...
NIBW: Fall Arrivals
It’s official—our cherished artisans at Not I But We have created some new additions that we are so excited to share! These fall arrivals are the perfect easy, stylish touch to your wardrobe for the upcoming season. Read more about the NIBW products below. Kimono If you've been looking for a versatile piece to elevate your wardrobe, this kimono might be the answer. Handcrafted with care and intention, it’s one of those rare items that look effortlessly stylish with almost anything. W...
Holiday Decor Guide
November 1, 2023 It's already November, which means Christmas time is upon us! It also means you might be looking for some new decor to get your home ready for the holidays. If this sounds like you, then look no further - 2nd Story Goods has you covered with our collection of holiday products that will make perfect additions to your decor this year. Check out some of our favorites below... Standing Metal Trees We love these recycled metal trees! Let them stand alone or grab one of ea...
The Little Bits of Good that Overwhelm the World
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good that overwhelm the world.” -Desmond Tutu In typical 2SG fashion, I am doing a 10 minute essay on our time together in South Africa. When I think of how to describe the experience, consolation is the only thing that comes to mind. Everything about having MK and Olivia in Cape Town at this particular time felt right. It was a pivotal moment in the journey of Not I But We, truly on the cusp of our next season, and to have...
Chapter 23, Around the Edges
The following is Chapter 23, Around the Edges, of our founders book Painfully Honest The Tale of a Recovering Helper. “Some days overflow with hope. These days explode with signs of ruins rebuilt and a noisy cacophony of chains falling off our shackled feet. God is everywhere and in every face. Other days Grim Perspective comes to hang out for a while. And all we see are: Children still naked, playing in the dirt People still begging, "give me one dollar" Despair and hunge...
2023 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Girls
November 3, 2023 Find your gifts for the girls this year at 2nd Story Goods! Whether she's your mom, sister, aunt, friend, significant other, or anyone in between - you're sure to find an incredible gift for her right here! Shop our collection of unique and handcrafted jewelry and accessories with our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for the Girls! 1. Printed Headband Cute, super stretchy, trendy, and practical. Great gift for the girls who love their hair accessories! 2. Alana ...
2023 Holiday Gift Guide: For Mom
November 3, 2023 Searching for a holiday gift for Mom? Look no further - we've got you covered with everything from handcrafted jewelry to handbags. These are some of our favorites; they'll be sure to put a smile on her face when she unwraps them this season! Here's our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for Mom! 1. Leather Saddlebag Our Leather Saddlebag is perfect for Mom to take anywhere - it has the comfort of a crossbody but is generous enough to carry a few more necessar...
2023 Holiday Gift Guide: For Dad
November 3, 2023 Looking for Dad's holiday gift? Check out our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for Dad - you're sure to find something unique and perfect for him that will show him how much he means to you. Shop our collection of handcrafted leather products and accessories here! 1. Compact Card Wallet A simple wallet perfect for any Dad. One side is easy access to the most used cards. And the other side has multiple slots for more cards or cash. 2. Classic Men...
2023 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Boys
November 1, 2023 It can be difficult to find the right gifts for the boys in your life, but we've got you covered! Check out our collection of wallets, journals, and accessories in our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for the Boys. We're sure you'll find the perfect gift for him! 1. Compact Card Wallet The best of our leather cardholder and minimalist wallet were combined to form the Compact Card Wallet, making it easy to access his most-used cards and still store extra cards...
