Welcome to The CC Collection.
The CC Collection is a Career Contessa series highlighting products from Female-Founded brands, a chance for all of us to support the products and tools enabling development while celebrating the businesses that do good in the world.
While I love my two-day shipping, it is time to put our money in the spaces that represent our values and enable leaders who will ensure equal pay and opportunity because $0.82 for every dollar is simply unacceptable.
Let Me Introduce Myself
I'm Kerri Mayper, a longtime Career Contessa reader—and now, a contributor.
As a Procurement Director, I have such a passion for buying that I have made it my career over the past decade. Professionally, I maximize value by sourcing materials (think of finding the last of that jacket you LOVE and getting it on sale, just for different industries), but what I love most about my job is the opportunity to partner and build relationships with the suppliers.
It should come as no surprise that I spend my downtime doing much of the same—shopping in a way that allows my money to represent my voice with companies that represent my values.
Through my professional experience, it has become evident that minorities are not given the same resources to succeed. Therefore, they're never the first on that list when you are searching for that new work bag.
That is where The CC Collection comes in—it's a space to make it as easy as possible to highlight the extraordinary work of women offering innovative solutions, sustainable products, and simply gorgeous tools that we purchase anyway.
This is a project that I wished existed—especially as I was transitioning into Corporate America. With such a strong community of female allies and mentors, Career Contessa was the natural home.
The Collection: The Brands Helping Save the World
The balance of convenience and sustainability is a constant debate, but we do know that we have to do something different in order to slow the progression of global warming.
An easy way to make this shift is to discover and use products that help us reduce our footprint—we can buy products that are reusable, products that are sustainably manufactured, or buy locally to reduce CO2 emissions and a significant supply chain impact to Mother Nature.
Plus let's be honest, with products as amazing as the ones below, it’s not that hard to sacrifice for the good of the planet! (Which is exactly what I told my wife when she asked how much more I was going to buy!)
Lark & Ives, She Inspires Candle
Lark & Ives is a thoughtful shop that blends functionality and class flawlessly. They continue to innovate with their latest launch of the She Inspires Candles, a series that supports “ethically made goods by women refugees, the fair trade principle of gender equality, diversity, respects of the environment and living wages”.
Sustainability is more than just getting the plastic out of the ocean, and this is the kind of enablement and investment in female artisans that will allow the sustainable success of female empowerment and equality for many years to come.
This candle is a no-brainer, truly a product that creates a Sisterhood and drives an impact throughout the entire supply chain—not to mention, easily the best smelling candle I have ever owned.
Consider this the perfect desk accessory when you need a little reminder mid-day or a gift for a mentor, a mother-in-law, a friend, and for yourself as a reminder to keep changing the world with courage.
Cost: $40
Ponderlily, Undated Planner
There is something cathartic about being able to physically cross off a task on your to-do list, and this is the perfect planner to keep you organized without killing trees. Ponderlily uses 110 gsm (aka bleed through isn’t welcome here) eco-friendly recycled paper, as well as vegetable inks for the printing to ensure all of the beauty to inspire you without the footprint!
Plus they were designed for us working women, knowing one bookmark isn’t enough to keep up with our overdrive brains, having an elastic closure in case we need to stuff some inspirational cards inside (or that bill you keep forgetting about!), and including 30 perforated pages for when you have Grocery list inspiration during that 4-hour meeting.
Cost: $36
Hali Hali Design, Reusable Straw Set
BYO-Straw just got way easier and upgrades your Insta because Hali Hali Design has created the most beautiful options to save the turtles. Switching out a plastic straw for this reusable requires minimal effort but has a sustainable impact.
You can get straws in gold, rose gold, silver and/or bronze, with a brush to keep them clean, and a highly durable, perfectly decorated carrying pouch that will fit perfectly in your bag.
We are all for that mid-afternoon coffee run (or milkshake, depending on the day…) with your squad for a pep talk, we just ask you consider bringing your own straw!
Cost: $14
Curie, Deodorant
When I first discovered Curie Deodorant, I didn’t think that all of these benefits could exist in one product. Perhaps that is why this company is named after the legend Marie Curie, continuing the legend of discovering elements that every woman needs in her life.
This deodorant is aluminum-free, protects for up to 24 hours, is bundled in 100% recyclable packaging (including the mailers!) and is committed to moving to post-consumer recycled packaging for all products by 2021.
Plus, they have it in spray or stick form so there really is no excuse to help Mother Nature while smelling amazing.
Cost: $12
The Better Farm Co., Natural Cotton Shopping Bag Set
Reusable bags are nothing new, but a reusable bag that has inside sleeves to help keep your groceries from smashing each other, flowers to stand upright or your wine bottles from rattling around (we’ve all been there) is the sustainable initiative we can definitely get behind.
Plus, this set comes with ten mesh produce bags which are perfectly named for their ability to stop using those plastic bags that are impossible to open in the produce section (note – they even have the tare weight listed right on the tag for easy checkout!), but they also make the most amazing delicate laundry bag, diaper bag organizers, travel packing cubes and pencil cases for those of us that color code our notes!
Cost: $99
Tusol Wellness, Smoothies
For those days that your boss adds a “Check-in” during your lunch, Tusol provides a great alternative that includes only organic and sustainably sourced materials. This company only creates blends with the highest quality ingredients, to further ensure that as we are healthier, there is a world left around us to see as we grow old.
Oh, and Ilana (Co-founder) previously worked at The French Laundry in Napa (a three Michelin star restaurant), so she has high credibility in what tastes amazing!
Pixie Mood, Greta Work Tote
This one may seem too good to be true—a gorgeous, lightweight work bag that fits up to a 15” Macbook Pro, with all the necessary zip pockets, a detachable crossbody strap, and comes in Apricot, Cloud (White), Sage and Black.
Made of vegan leather, faux suede accents, and a lining constructed from recycled water bottles, this bag is so much more than just a high-quality work tote. The entire Pixie Mood collection is innovative and sustainable, and this should just be the first of many you purchase!
Cost: $100
Ilera Apothecary, Clarifying Face Mask
The perfect way to refresh while doing good—Ilera Apothecary created a plant-based skincare line that emphasizes ethical sourcing and enables community impact through their store by hosting local events including pop-up shops!
While you can’t go wrong with any of their products, the Clarifying Powder Face Mask is the cure to a bad day to give you time to reflect and recharge and glow by the time you have to start the next day. It boasts ingredients including activated charcoal to draw out any impurities, and dried roses for anti-aging all while supporting a sustainable supply chain and helping the local community flourish.
Cost: $29
Lunchskins, Reusable Sandwich & Snack Bags
As someone who consumes at least 4 snacks a day, these have become my best weapon while on conference calls. These reusable baggies eliminate plastic and introduce a much quieter alternative to snacking because there is nothing worse than your crinkling snack bag in the background! Plus, these simple, geometric designs make your Goldfish crackers look a little fancier and we can take all the small wins we can get right now.
Their easy care makes them my go-to for packing snacks – whether for the drive to the office, so I don’t have to get up from the couch midday, or a business trip which I refuse to pay triple at the airport! If the thought of dishwashing your baggies is too much, check out their paper bags, which are not only recyclable but also make your homemade sandwich feel like it came from a corner bistro!
Cost: $11
If you have any favorite Female-Founded brands or products that you think Contessas would love, please share with me at kerrimayper@gmail.com or show me how you use the CC Collection products on Instagram @kerrimayper
