Mission meets fashion to empower survivors | with Heidi VanderWal of Crowned Free | Episode 378

Stephanie welcomes Heidi VanderWal, the inspiring founder of Crowned Free, a Christian apparel, home decor, and jewelry company. This organization is not just about selling beautiful products but is deeply rooted in a mission to support and employ survivors of human trafficking. Every purchase from Crowned Free supports its mission. This is a powerful reminder of the impact we have when we vote with our wallet can have. By choosing ethically made products, we support not just a business, but a broader movement against injustice.

Exclusive code! Use GOSPELSPICE for 15% off your purchase at https://crownedfree.com/ (valid through 03/31/25).

Heidi VanderWal's journey into the world of human trafficking began nearly fifteen years ago after attending a local church event. At this event, she heard a gripping testimony from a human trafficking survivor. This transformation experience led her to question how she, an entrepreneur, could contribute to such a massive and daunting issue. Despite her initial feelings of inadequacy, she became determined to make a difference—no matter how small the seemingly insurmountable problem appeared. Over time, her journey materialized into Crowned Free, a business that merges her love for style with a powerful mission.

Crowned Free stands for more than just ethically made products. The company operates under a unique model that combines retail sales with a commitment to combating human trafficking. They donate a portion of their proceeds to organizations dedicated to this cause and employ human trafficking survivors to create around 40% of their products.

A cornerstone of Crowned Free's mission is providing employment to survivors. Importantly, their partnership with Wedgewood Christian Services has been pivotal. Through this collaboration, Crowned Free involves teenage survivors, aged 13 to 17, in crafting various products, ranging from jewelry to candles, that embody beauty, hope, and rehabilitation.

These partnerships provide invaluable therapeutic outlets for the participants, offering a sense of achievement and helping to restore dignity. Heidi's visits to Wedgewood reveal the profound emotional and psychological healing that these young artisans undergo, and underscore the potential of a supportive work environment.

Heidi encourages increased awareness and intentional shopping practices as simple ways to engage with this cause. Even those unfamiliar with the intricacies of human trafficking can contribute by supporting ethical brands or engaging in conversations that spread awareness.

Here are some highlights from Stephanie’s conversation with Heidi VanderWal of Crowned Free:

1. Power of Sharing Stories | Hearing firsthand experiences raises awareness and urges action against human trafficking.
2. Faith-led Entrepreneurship | Trusting divine guidance can lead to impactful business ventures.
3. Combating Human Trafficking | Crowned Free is dedicated to fighting human trafficking through ethical business practices and survivor employment in the Name of Jesus.
4. The Importance of Ethical Choices | We can influence positive change by choosing ethically sourced products.
5. Local Partnerships are Crucial | Collaborations with local organizations amplify impact and aid in survivor rehabilitation.
6. Balancing Business and Mission | Maintaining focus on purpose ensures business decisions align with mission goals.
7. Ripple Effect of Intentional Actions | Small, conscious purchases can ripple into significant impacts for the kingdom of God.

DISCOVER CROWNED FREE

Go to https://crownedfree.com/

We are dedicated to raising awareness and empowering women who have been rescued from human trafficking. Crowned free gives back two different ways. The first way is by donating 15% of our profits to organizations in the United States and internationally that work to restore, rescue, and rehabilitate survivors. The second way Crowned Free gives back is by creating sustainable jobs for girls who have been rescued to make over half of our products. This opportunity equips survivors with vocational skills they can use to provide for themselves and their families.

MEET HEIDI VANDERWAL

Years ago, Heidi VanderWal (Chief Crown Officer) attended a woman’s event sponsored by a local church to create awareness for human trafficking. After realizing that girls were being sold right in her city, at her favorite malls, in local schools, and online, she became determined to help fight this injustice that was hitting so close to home. She dreamed even bigger, of a world where human trafficking didn’t exist at all. In January of 2014, the idea for Crowned Free, a clothing company that donated a portion of its profits to this cause, took shape.

Launched in 2015, the response to Crowned Free’s products and mission was immediate and women from all over started asking how they could get involved. By the middle of 2016, that was exactly the direction that the company was heading, and on August 1, 2017, Crowned Free officially launched as a direct sales company so that women across the United States could join the mission as Independent Representatives.

Crowned Free’s mission is to end human trafficking through ethical fashion and gifts. We offer women the opportunity to build their own cause-based business that creates safe and sustainable jobs for survivors of human trafficking and supports anti-trafficking organizations.

We believe Crowned Free came to be for such a time as this.

We believe the Crowned Free woman is brave, courageous, a champion and an overcomer. She is strong, beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made. She is loved. She is free.

She is you. She is me.
This is our story, and it can be your story too. Together we can make a difference.

“…Everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” —Isaiah 35:10