Why We Won’t Sell You Face Masks

We’re all feeling so many emotions during this shelter-at-home time. We’re nervous about our futures and our family’s safety. We’re confined in small areas with or without our closest relationships. Some of us still have jobs, some of us don’t. We’re thinking about homeschooling, and parenting, and working, and trying to keep our businesses afloat and our employees’ morale up, and cleaning and also cooking that bag of dried beans that has been in our pantry for 3 years.

It’s a lot. On all of us. But, the overwhelming feeling I’m having is gratitude. I get goosebumps from thinking about all of us in this together, taking each other’s health and futures into consideration. I’m overwhelmed by this feeling of hope for my community. I see so much effort to help small businesses in our communities. 

It’s amazing to see this effort and unity. And, it’s heartwarming to see how my clients are looking to provide their teams and clients with gifts that are meaningful. I also see how these efforts can be a challenge for clients who want to give gifts that say “I care” and are sensitive to the precarious emotional state that we are all in right now. 

Vendors are sending me images of masks and hand sanitizer on a daily basis. It’s my job to sort out quality gifts from the bad gifts and help my clients make better choices. I knew immediately that selling masks was not in my client’s best interest. We want to help our clients give gifts that reflect true appreciation and not just jump on a branding opportunity. While we know it’s always good to get your brand in the public eye, putting it on someone’s face is not what you want to be associated with right now. These masks have short term use cases at best so they aren’t environmentally responsible. Does this line up with your company's mission and values? Most people can actually use items that have at home to make their own face masks. Pillow cases, sheets, bandanas, old t-shirts all make acceptable fabric masks that the CDC recommends wearing right now.

The N95 versions, when purchased in this industry, become unavailable to hospitals. When you purchase these, it tells the manufacturers that there is a market here for them and they then direct the available products into this market rather than to the first responders and essential workers who do need them.

If you really want to do something with face masks, consider donating to manufacturers who have taken on the duty to make cotton face masks for the public and for essential workers. One of our vendors, EQPD, is a Washington bag designer that has dedicated the past few weeks to developing and manufacturing masks. Another female owned brand in L.A, Dolan, has also been making masks and are donating one for every one sold. Or, you could even provide your company with the visual resources to show them how to make their own.

As far as hand sanitizer goes, I really recommend larger bottles that have enough sanitizer in them to not immediately contribute waste to the planet. The small half-ounce bottles often leak or get clogged and are used once or twice before thrown away. Some bottles might not even supply the 60% of alcohol necessary to kill germs. We continue to keep our eyes out for hand sanitizer that has the appropriate ratio of alcohol and is 3 oz. or larger.

If you are looking for something that can help your employees or clients, please reach out. We would love to help you find real solutions for the situation at hand. As a small business ourselves, we will continue to work hard to keep our clients serviced with meaningful and quality corporate gifts.