In the beginning, there was Jewelry for a Cause - a company devoted to the idea that purchasing jewelry could indeed be guilt-free, even an act of philanthropy. In 2008, Jessica Mindich, a former lawyer and mother of two, came up with a simple concept for a one-of-a-kind company. She would design inexpensive and wearable pieces for schools and charities to sell at a profit for their own fund-raising purposes. As the business developed, consumers became increasingly interested in Jessica's eye-catching designs and began purchasing them for themselves or as gifts - in these cases, Jessica made a commitment to donate 20 percent of the proceeds from many of her jewelry lines to the charities of her clients' choice.
In a way, Jewelry for a Cause was born out of Jessica's own family life. Giving gifts has always been a challenge in her family - her father won't even accept a gift that is not a donation to a worthy cause. But what started small, and close to home, quickly became more widespread.
