As these winter months, with their shorter days, invite us to slow down and get a little extra rest, we wanted to take a moment to share an update on the Sustainable Trades Marketplace.
Here in Austin, we’ve been having so much fun connecting with people in the community. There’s a genuine sense of excitement, and I think it’s because so many of us share a similar longing. Many people are feeling burned out by what modern Western life demands of us, and we’re collectively remembering where true wealth really lives: in slowing down, prioritizing self-care, and leading with our hearts. When we do that, life begins to move with more ease.
Platform Update
The platform is still in development, and it’s taking longer than expected. That said, it’s looking fantastic, and we’re really excited about how it’s coming together.
We’ve partnered with PayPal, which will be the first payment connector available to our vendors. As a reminder, Sustainable Trades is built on the principle that vendors keep 100% of their cash sales. Vendors can upload their own payment connectors, and over time, we plan to add more options based on what our community is actually using.
For now:
- Vendors who want to accept payments directly on the site will connect their own PayPal account
- Payments will go directly into their bank account via PayPal
- Sustainable Trades does not take a cut of those transactions
On the membership side, we’re also using PayPal, but with their expanded checkout experience, which allows members to pay using a credit card without needing a PayPal account. This is really important to us from an accessibility and inclusivity standpoint, and we’re thrilled to have this in place.
What’s Coming Next
Our development team is currently working on:
- Order tracking for Pro Members
- Shipping integration with Shippo, which offers great rates for small businesses and access to all major carriers
There are still a few key features being finalized, and while I don’t have an exact timeline just yet, I’m hopeful that early spring will bring our beta testing phase, followed by an official launch here in Austin later this summer.
Why This Matters
When we shop locally and support people in our own communities, we keep money circulating close to home, and that’s where real change begins.
Supporting food grown in living soil heals the earth. It increases nutrient density, supports local wildlife, builds healthy habitats, sequesters carbon, and helps water move naturally back into our aquifers. Locally grown food also travels shorter distances, reducing the need for excess packaging and preservatives.
The benefits of this one shift are enormous.
When local producers feel supported, they gain confidence, and more people feel empowered to step into that work themselves. We need this, especially after witnessing what happened during COVID-19, when global supply chains broke down and supermarket shelves sat empty.
The global economy is complex and volatile, often trading the same commodities across continents, almost always at the expense of local producers. Sustainable Trades exists to help shift that reality.
We believe in:
- Food sovereignty
- Local resilience
- Economic justice for makers and growers
- Earth care, people care, and fair share
When we inject financial abundance into ecology, something powerful happens. Communities come back together. Health improves. Possibility expands.
That’s what we’re building toward, and we’re so grateful to be doing it alongside you.
Wishing you all a gentle and joy-filled holiday season!\
With Gratitude,
Sustainable Trades