Sep 21, 2020

Southern Businesses You Need To Know: SustainAble Home Goods

Photos provided by SustainAble Home Goods

It’s the season of small businesses. Consumers are being choosier with where they spend their money, and there’s been a renewed focus on supporting local. From shopping for produce at the farmers’ market to breakfast at a mom-and-pop diner, we all want to support the people and places that make our communities special—and it works. In fact, every dollar you spend at a local business has three times the economic benefit of making the same purchase at a chain retailer. Thankfully, it’s easy to shop small in the South. There’s no limit to creative and innovative entrepreneurs, so next time you’re shopping...shop small!

SustainAble Home Goods - LaToya Tucciarone

Who are you?

My name is LaToya Tucciarone. I am the founder of SustainAble Home Goods! I am also a wife to a talented entrepreneur (our dinner conversations would bore most people!), and the mother of 4 amazing kiddos and 2 crazy dogs! I was raised in Southern California, but moved to Georgia a long time ago, so I like to say I’m a So-Cal girl with southern sensibilities! My family and I live in Atlanta, which is the best city IMHO! I am a lover of beauty, culture, Jesus and justice.

Where can people find you?

SustainAble is on the 2nd floor of Ponce City Market in Atlanta.

What do you do?

SustainAble is a fair trade and ethical home decor store. We partner with artisans and amazing organizations and businesses all over the world to offer our customers a beautifully curated collection of pieces for the home.

Why do you do it?

I created SustainAble because it combines so many of my greatest passions into one place—beauty, justice, and a deep love of people and our planet.

I grew up in a home full of culture. I was exposed to the world through amazing books, music and art. When I was old enough, I jumped at the opportunity to travel! Through my travels, I have seen poverty and the devastating effects of a declining economy. I have also seen what empowerment and opportunity can do to transform a community for the better.

Most countries in the world have a very distinct craft culture, so I began to think about how we can tap into the craft cultures of the world and create opportunities for artisans to have a larger marketplace here in America. That is essentially how SustainAble was born! The cool thing is that one of the principles of fair trade is stewardship of the earth, so we are always looking at how the products we are selling are being made. Are they made from renewable materials? Are they free from hazardous chemicals? Are they humane to animals and our planet? Sustainable practices have been built into craft culture for over a millennia, and Americans are just catching up!

To us, being sustainable speaks not only to the planet, but to the people. How do we sustain each other and enjoy this beautiful world together?