Share & Do Good is doing things differently in the heart of downtown Fullerton. Located on the corner of Wilshire Avenue and Harbor Boulevard, store owner Lilly Tokuyama aims to change the attitudes of consumers working with 30 different socially conscious brands that strive to make a difference in the lives of others. Attracted to Fullerton’s charming hometown feel, Tokuyama, seeks to engage the community in a deeper way.

“We not only want to give people the opportunity to share their resources, but we also want to encourage people to share the stories behind the products we sell,” Tokuyama said.

Previously in marketing, Tokuyama worked at music festivals and conferences where she came across trendy fair-trade brands that were reaching a young demographic. The brand Krochet Kids Intl., that works with women living in poverty, caught her eye. Inspired by the socially conscious groups around her, she aimed to create a store that housed all these brands under one roof.

These world-changing groups include:

Sseko Designs: employs women in Uganda to make sandals to help them earn money for a college education and empowers them to pursue a better life.

31 Bits: creates fashionable accessories and provides care for Ugandan women through holistic counseling, health education, finance training, and guiding the women through a five year program that will aid them in establishing their own businesses.

Raven + Lily: an ethical design company, make handmade products created by poverty-stricken women in India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Cambodia, Pakistan, Guatemala, and the USA at fair trade wages. Enabling them to attain a safe job, sustainable income, health care, education, and chance to break free from poverty.

Sevenly: an online retailer, teams up with large charities to provide fundraising by producing a weekly shirt themed for each charity for only $7. Sevenly also calls the second floor of Share & Do Good home to their world headquarters, making Share & Do Good the sole retailer of the shirts.

Along with being a haven for these brands, Share & Do Good also hosts educational awareness events. In January, two events were hosted in hopes to educate the public on human trafficking in the community. Hosted by organizations such as The Salvation Army and Purpose Jewelry, these events were created to help customers go beyond the purchase, by creating personal connections and awareness.

“We want to use our store as a platform to share stories of what these organizations are doing around the world. We want to directly connect the community with the people running these companies,” said Jane Chen, Share & Do Good event coordinator.

“We hope good conversations will come from entering here and that those conversations will inspire people to do something,” Tokuyama said.

As a previous Fullerton College student and working with many college students in her past, Tokuyama knows how impactful young people can be. She wants to transform the minds of her shoppers.

“Instead of buying 10 statement necklaces from Forever 21, you can buy one necklace that can make a difference and an even bigger statement.” Tokuyama said.

The Share & Do Good staff never stops dreaming about how they can make an impact in the community around them. Tokuyama will be gearing up for an internship program this fall for college students to “practically use what they’ve been learning in school to help others.”

The generous shop seeks to partner with social justice clubs, host events, and help support outside efforts of doing good. One day she hopes to organize entrepreneurial and educational workshops for students and members of the community who wish to use their gifts and talents to change the world.

Ultimately, Tokuyama, aspires to work with others to make this world a better place and create opportunities for people to do the same. Share & Do Good continues to grow and influence a positive impact in the world.

“There are so many bad stories in the world, we are happy to curate a store full of good stories,” Tokuyama said.

To connect with Share & Do Good contact Lilly Tokuyama or Jane Chen at (714) 305-5582 or follow them on social media @ShareandDoGood.