Staff Favorites: Nat's Q&A

• Posted on 3 May 2026
• 0

In this Staff Favorites feature, we’re highlighting Nat, HumanKind’s Sales & Social Media Associate, whose thoughtful approach to style and gift-giving reflects the heart of fair trade. From tiny, meaningful treasures to intentional purchases that support artisans around the world, Nat shares how paying attention to people, and the impact behind products, shapes everything they do.

Q: What’s your name and role at HumanKind, and how long have you been part of the team?

Nat: My name is Nat and I am the Sales & Social Media Associate! I’ve been part of the HumanKind team for almost two years now.

Q: How would you describe your personal style or taste when it comes to fashion, home, or gifts?

Nat: Style is such a contextual thing—I’m one of those people who has a hard time identifying a cohesive aesthetic when it comes to my personal taste. I like a lot of things, but in very specific places.

In fashion, I tend to lean toward practical, classic, and comfortable—lots of monochrome black fits—or something more alternative and playful depending on the occasion. I express myself most through my hair and jewelry.

For my home, I love a cozy, lived-in space with art-covered walls and live plants everywhere.

When it comes to gifts, I love plants, experiences, or tiny things. Our small felted ornaments are a great example—but I mean tiny. Half-inch figurines or a one-inch vase with a single flower bud? They absolutely adore that kind of detail.

Q: What inspires your personal style or gift-giving choices?

Nat: Gift giving is also very contextual. Being a good gift giver is kind of like being a good listener. It’s not about giving a gift that I like or think is “good”—it’s about showing someone I love that I notice them and pay attention to the details.

It doesn’t have to be expensive or impressive. Some of the best gifts come at little cost—like a homemade card or a handmade “coupon” for a movie night, a sunset picnic, or just spending time together.

Q: What do you love most about working at HumanKind or being part of the fair trade movement?

Nat: What I love most is the atmosphere. We’re really privileged to work in a space with incredible staff, strong leadership, quality products, and genuinely lovely customers.

People who come into the shop are usually kind and patient—it’s rare to encounter a grumpy customer, which hasn’t always been my experience in retail. I think the Fair Trade mission plays a big role in that uplifting energy.

Q: What makes shopping at HumanKind different from other stores?

Nat: Retail is a whole world—every store has its own personality, goals, and ethos. What sets HumanKind apart is not just the Fair Trade mission, but the kind of people it draws.

Even when customers walk in unfamiliar with Fair Trade, once they learn about what we do, their response is often, “Wow, that’s amazing—and everything is so beautiful!” There’s a different energy when people understand how intentionally these products are made.

It makes shopping feel more meaningful. In a consumer-driven culture, buying gifts can sometimes feel wasteful or obligatory. But here, even though we’re selling non-essential items like home goods and gifts, those purchases directly support artisans—helping provide things that are essential, like food, medicine, and education.

That model is powerful, and it attracts people who want to shop with intention and make a real impact.