Hugh Jackman’s CSR Business Values at Forefront of Laughing Man

The CSR business values of a company can take many different forms with retailers. Some commit to donating a pre-determined amount per purchase like Sevenly or a percentage of the profits from each item purchased such as EDUN, project 360 and  ONEHOPE Wine. Others choose to adopt the “One for One” Concept made famous by TOMS Shoes and demonstrated by TOMS Eyewear, Warby Parker, Moraleyes and SKETCHERS BOB. While others incorporate responsible procurement into its business plans to improve the lives of people in developing countries like Seven Virtues and EDUN. Then along comes a company that does it all and then some – they practice responsible procurement, are committed to improving lives and donate one hundred percent of their profits to charity right from the start. This is the approach of a new coffee, tea, chocolate and accessory online shop called Laughing Man.

HUgh Jackman photo courtesy of people.com

The concept for Laughing Man started two years ago when Hollywood and Broadway star Hugh Jackman went to Ethiopia as a World Vision ambassador in 2009. It was there that Jackman befriended a local coffee farmer named Dukale with an environmentally sustainable practice that supported his growing family. Dukale’s work ethic made his farm a success and he was able to hire locals to aid him in his work. By witnessing how one little farm could impact a community Jackman made a promise to “do his bit.”

His “bit” was to team up with Barry Steingard, a long-time friend who was re-entering the coffee business. The two partnered and brought on David Steingard to run the everyday operations of the company.  Rounding out the Laughing Man crew is completive barista and Culinary Institute graduate Queenie Fok.

Laughing Man believes that education is all it takes to overcome obstacles, and they are using that to help make their “ALL BE HAPPY,” motto a reality.

How exactly does this New York coffee shop and online store give back? They do this in two major ways, the first being to use their “resources to find, incubate and support companies and products that believe in the ALL BE HAPPY vision [they] can do [their] part to create jobs, support the entrepreneurial spirit and encourage the ingenuity that is essential to community health.” The second tier of their initiative is that Laughing Man WorldWide gives 100% of the proceeds from those ventures to charity.

To help achieve their educational goals they are supporting educational initiatives both in the United States and abroad. In fact, they have partnered with “Harlem Village Academies and Dr. Deborah Kenny. [Those at Laughing Man] have visited these schools and consider them to be a premier example of what education can be and can do.”

One can purchase Laughing Man coffee at their New York shop or at their online store where Laughing Man sells coffee, tea and chocolates. They also sell accessories that range from thermal mugs to flowering teapots to complete gift baskets complete with everything one would need to have and enjoy the perfect hot beverage. Additionally, they offer branded merchandise including messenger bags, T’s, caps other gear emboldened with their “ALL BE HAPPY” motto.

Laughing Man is a unique example of a company making a difference and having an impact as they are responsibly sourcing their products, bringing business opportunities to new areas, making an urban and chic product, and giving back to charity. Combine all that with the star power that Hugh Jackman brings to the table and you have a recipe for success. Laughing Man is changing the world one cuppa at a time now let’s ALL BE HAPPY.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGO-ALGp0QM[/youtube]

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Miratel Solutions is a Toronto call centre, eBusiness, and letter shop mail house specializing in professional professional fundraising including telephone fundraising, online fundraising, lottery services, donation caging, donation processing and other donor management services. We are committed to our CSR business values in all contact centre services and mail house operations and advancing the missions of the nonprofits we proudly serve.