Check Out Jacita Keys’s Story

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In my late thirties I began to volunteer at a Southern California Fair Trade Store. This experience is where I began to grow my love for fair trade and the movement. During my involvement with this store and other fair trade organizations I noticed more and more the small percentage of Black Women in that space, more importantly Black Women representing Artisans from African countries. This revelation began the idea to develop Zaric as a Glocal Lifestyle Brand featuring UpCycled – Alchemy – Fair Trade products. Zaric supports global artisans in emerging countries mainly on the continents of Africa, South East Asia and South America.

Zaric sources handcrafted items from skilled artisans in various countries with the goal of enriching their lives and retaining their traditional art forms. While ensuring these artisans have a fair and living wage, with no forced or child labour. Along with the artisans, their family and surrounding community having the opportunity to gain access to a variety of necessary resources, to be physically and mentally healthy.

The products Zaric mainly sources are jewelry, purses and other fashion accessories, baskets, blankets, decorative home decor and intention/meditation tools such as incense, smudge sticks, crystals, singing bowls, etc.

As Zaric grew, I began to personally make sustainable candles with coconut wax in artisan-made containers and vintage/recycled containers. My candle line quickly became my shining star and finished off my lifestyle brand.

I’m very fortunate to say currently Zaric is located in six Collectives throughout Southern California; Fair Trade Long Beach, Open Market OC 2nd and PCH – Long Beach, Open Market OC Pacific City – Huntington Beach, Open Market OC Brea Mall as well as Rustic and Modern Collective – Upland.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The last few years have brought a few challenges, due to retail taking a large hit because of Covid. A lot of restructuring and moving has taken place. However, I’m glad to say things are getting better and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a social entrepreneur, I strive to find ways to give back and seek positive change in all my endeavors. I have a BS in Human Services with emphasis in Youth and Family Development and my nine-to-five is being a Case Manager / Social Worker for LA County. So naturally when I started my business, it was an extension of my education and what I had been in my professional life for over 20 years. I like to think of Zaric supporting various artisans through fair trade, as global social work.

What makes you happy?
Community, family and supporting others in the best way I can make me happy. It’s funny because when I began Zaric I was searching for a name and ultimately I landed on one that derived from my children’s names, which are Zariah and Eric. The first three letters of my oldest “Zar” and the last three letters of my youngest “Ric”, became my brand name “Zaric”. So even my business name is rooted in family and giving back to others through fair trade, which truly makes me smile.