This symbolic date, the 8 of march, should normally even not exist. But we live in 2023 and that’s how it is. Women do not have equal rights as men, yet. So as a committed brand, not only for the planet but also for people, we feel it is our responsibility to raise awareness and support gender equality and women's empowerment, especially in the merchandising industry and business world as a whole.

At Merchery, we are proud to have a diverse team of female employees, customers and suppliers who inspire us every day. On this special day, we want to highlight the talented and innovative women behind some of the coolest brands featured on our website. Meet them now.

Tille & Linde from Redopapers

“We turn the common production model upside down. First we look for available waste streams, then we start designing our product. Makes sense, right?”

Behind the Belgian brand, Redopaper is Tille and Linde. Those 2 graphic designers from Antwerp always shared a passion for paper, design and sustainable entrepreneurship. Their practical and minimalistic paper tools, such as planners, notebooks, and sketchbooks, are all made from collected paper waste, a concept that sets them apart from traditional production methods. Rather than starting with a product and then sourcing materials, Redopaper's approach begins by seeking out available waste streams, and then designing their products around the materials they find.

This approach makes every Redopaper product unique, as waste is unpredictable and varies from batch to batch. By turning waste into a resource, Tille and Linde are creating eco-friendly and one-of-a-kind paper goods that are sure to catch the eye of anyone looking for practical and sustainable designs.

Custom blocnotes available soon online.

Beatriz Barroz from Mishmash

"Mishmash is a dream come true for a young girl who used to spend her free time around old paper and vintage office supplies in her grandfather's office supply store. These roots have made Beatriz Barros a design and stationery enthusiast, and helped created the spirit of mishmash."

Mishmash is a stationery brand that was born from the nostalgia of its founder, Beatriz Barros. The inspiration for the brand came from Beatriz's childhood spent around her grandfather's old stationery store in Portugal. She used to spend time there as a child, getting lost in old paper and vintage office supplies - as well as the smell of it. These roots have made Beatriz a design and stationery passionate and helped create the spirit of mishmash.

The brand offers unique and fun-loving notebooks with beautiful finishes and attention to detail, always with these vintage vibes bringing us back in time. The products are designed with both a focus on functionality and capacity while keeping them aesthetically pleasing for design & minimalist enthusiasts. As writing objects have the ability to capture ideas, the brand mission is to inspire people to be creative and adventurous, bringing soulful brightness through an everyday task as simple as writing.

Above all, the brand is committed to the durable aspect, for both people and the planet, with a focus on sustainability. They team up with Quercus, a Portuguese environmental non-profit organization that fights for better forestry management and conservation, to plant and restore every gram of paper their products consume. Moreover, the goods are produced locally in Portugal, within 10km of their headquarters.

Personnalized mishmash notebooks. The perfect brand corporate gift to spoil your team, right?

Esther Smit & Loes Stapper from Oxious

"Oxious is a combination of oxygen and consciousness. We are conscious of every step in our production process while ensuring the highest social, ethical and environmental standards."

Oxious is a Dutch sustainable fashion brand that specializes in creating fine (hammam) cloths and plaids. The textile industry is a sector where child labour, gender inequality, excessive use of water, land, energy, chemicals, and high CO2 emission are commonplace. Instead, Esther and Loes created a small business making high-quality products with responsibility and respect for people and the planet in the hope of contributing to a more equitable world.

The brand's name, Oxious, is a combination of the words Conscious and Oxygen, reflecting their mission. Indeed, the first aspect of their brand is about being mindful of nature. Their products are made from at least 50% of recycled cotton. They also don't dye their cloth, which saves water, and their colors are based on the recycled fabric they use. Plus, their packaging is plastic-free and made from recycled cardboard and agricultural waste. And get this - Oxious even offsets their CO2 emissions from production and transportation!

In addition, Oxious is not just a brand that focuses on creating eco-friendly and sustainable products, but it is also a brand that empowers women in a small village in Turkey. The production of their fine hammam cloths and plaids takes place in the village of Kızılcabölük, an area where gender inequality is high. Through their production studio, Oxious provides greater social and financial opportunities for local women. By choosing to work with this studio, the brand consciously empowers women to earn their own money and make their own choices. Therefore, buying an Oxious product not only supports the environment but also supports the empowerment of women in a region where it is much needed.

Have a look at our selection of personalized Oxious cloths.

Coralie & Clémentine from AŸ cactus

"Clémentine and Coralie have brought back from Nice to Paris, the plants that needed the least attention: the cacti, to transform them into real decorative objects."

Clémentine & Coralie are the founders of AŸ Cactus, a French brand that creates pop and customizable cacti. The duo previously worked in communication/advertising agencies. However, they wanted to pursue a different path in life, and be truly passionate about what they do. They brainstormed for ideas during an aperitif at Coralie's house and they noticed there were cacti everywhere, being from Nice & not really having a green thumb. That’s where the idea of offering unique and playful green items for people’s homes sparked.

Initially, Clémentine and Coralie did everything themselves, including repotting the cacti and personalizing recycled canned food with a printer they had at home. However, as the business grew, they delegated the work of repotting and worked with a professional printer. Nonetheless, as this was vital for them to encourage responsible and sustainable consumption, they maintain a traditional and local approach to their production, with everything being made in France. Therefore, the metal boxes are custom-made in a factory in central France. Their plants are cultivated in a healthy way using biopesticides. Labelled FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), the paper used on the cans respects the procedures guaranteeing sustainable forest management. Finally, AŸ Cactus production is handcrafted and entirely made locally in Paris, in the 19th district.

Check out our selection of customizable AŸ cactus products.