Jacqueline Arias, ‘The Angel of Justice’
Originally featured in our limited edition custom publication ‘The Spark – Vol. 1’ (2013); a portrait series focusing on inspiring catalyst stories of twelve entrepreneurs.
“It’s simply about justice. Why should people be exploited?”
Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world after oil.
Unfortunately, most coffee comes from third world countries where there is no social welfare, no drought relief and in many cases no payment to the farmers who grow it.
I understood injustice from a very early age. I was born in Colombia and lived in Chile as a young girl – both third world countries. As a young child in Colombia I was surrounded by stories about poverty, coffee farmers and how they could only afford life basics during harvest time. I remember many times marching on the streets in Chile with my parents for workers’ rights, womens’ rights and human rights.
At 6 years of age I moved with my family from Chile to Australia – a different world.
When I grew up I worked as a journalist for the ABC, giving a voice to those people who don’t have a voice. I’ve always felt very connected to the underprivileged; to the underdog. I always hoped that one day I could also provide a way for people to connect directly with farmers in the third world to ensure they are paid fairly.
Upon travelling back to Colombia for a holiday with my husband and children, I realized nothing had changed for the farmers in all those years. They were still being paid very little, if anything, for some of the best tasting coffee beans on the planet – exported to countries like Australia and the US.
We’re all human beings. It doesn’t matter if you live in Sydney, Colombia, Paris, Mexico, Timor or Ethiopia – we all deserve to live a life in dignity and be paid fairly for our day’s work.
– Jacqueline Arias
Jacqueline Arias
Fair Trade
CEO I Founder I Coffee Sorceress, República Organic
Sydney, Australia
I am a pioneer with an adventurous spirit. I founded República® Organic in Australia in 2007, with the idea that through coffee we can improve people’s lives and the planet we share.
República has grown to be Australia’s #1 Organic Coffee Company and through my uncompromising commitment to ethics and sustainability, República has a fully transparent clean supply chain, independently certified by Australian Organic, Carbon Neutral and Fairtrade. In addition I have led my company to be awarded a “Best for the World Company” by B Corporation for 3 years running (2016, 2017, 2018), the highest accolade for being a company that uses business as a force for good.
By taking risks, thinking strategically, adapting and changing fast, I have led my company to stay ahead of the curve with emerging trends. Today we are recognized a a pioneering CPG brand, with strong consumer loyalty from the thousands and thousands of consumers who buy our coffees across Australia every day.
I am incredibly proud to say that República has been awarded with over 20 awards including the United Nations Australia for our commitment to good environmental management leading to positive impact on our planet, and listed as one of Australia’s top 50 innovative companies, twice.
I have always been driven to tell stories that make a difference and continually challenge myself to expand my knowledge about global issues. Prior to República, I was an ABC journalist and producer earning many awards, including two time winner of the United Nations Australia, Peace Media Award for Journalism.
I am an avid traveler. Getting outside of my normal surroundings sparks ideas and fuels my obsession for pioneering new ways to bring ethical products to market. My commitment to doing right for people and the planet continues to fuel my imagination, because in the end I believe we can all make a difference, and it’s the sum of small actions that can lead to big change.
My next challenge is growing República’s reputation as the most ethical coffee brand by launching in the US market, from Austin Texas.
Bio source: LinkedIn
All profits from sales donated to the nominated charities: Coffee Kids, Love Mercy Foundation, OzHarvest & WorldShare. Works from ‘The Spark – Volume One’ publication and exhibition have been featured by numerous Australian media including the Sun Herald (NSW), Fairfax Regional Media, Coffs Coast Focus Magazine, Coffs Coast Radio, 2SER Community Radio, Cronulla Magazine and FX Medicine magazine, as well as the company websites of different personalities we have profiled.
