We are over 50% of the way to completing this initiative which rebuilds the small library and laboratory at the all-girls school in Purchuru, India. This rural school provides education to girls in the region who otherwise would not be able to go to school. Many graduates end up being the first in their family to go to university and/or get jobs in the city.

We are so close to funding this initiative via the sale of the Common Soles Natya and Aiman flip-flops. Help us hit that goal by picking up a pair for yourself or as a gift today! Think Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Graduation present, Wedding party gifts, whatever!

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2010 is already shaping up to be a good year for us! Earlier this month we realized the successful completion of our first initiative. The goal was to generate funding to purchase new school books and supplies for the children of the workers in the factory that make Common Soles flip-flops in Vijayawada, India. Check out the details and photos from this event on our initiatives page.

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I am enroute to India to meet up with Rao who has been hard at work over there on new product and initiaitves for Common Soles.  As a result we won't be posting any new blog entries until we return the week of Oct 11th. (I know, you'll miss us...)

The purpose of the trip is to get the next few styles and initiaitves dialed in. A women's flip-flop similar to the picture here, and a men's flop!  Each flop will be sold to generate funding to support an initiaitve relevant to the workers that made the flops. Most likely these initiatives will be education related.  The plan is to have these new styles available later this fall!  Wish us luck and please bear with us these next two weeks as Lisa is running the show here in the US by herself until Oct 11th.

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I love learning. I didn't until I graduated from college, I then realized how wonderful the gift of education is.  How could I appreciate it? I didn't know any other life until then.  So when I decided to go back to grad school in 2006 it was with great respect for the educational system, and drive to once again - learn. 

One of the greatest things I took away from business school was a deeper understanding of organizations role in society. Recently, Leonard Schlesinger, Babson's new President articulated this learning I took away very succinctly in the school's new strategy. 

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Rao is in India right now and I plan to join him in a couple weeks to finalize some new products we are working on.  A casual women's flop and our first men's flop!

The new flip-flops will feature some unique styling distinct to the region of India (Vijayawada) that the flops are bring crafted.  Rao has been beating the streets in search of materials to incorporate in the flops. The common design element for these will be in the straps, and since silk is a popular fiber used in this region we’re experimenting with different designs. Silk is also strong, comfortable, and environmentally smart!

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The photo we currently have posted on our home page was taken at one of the schools we are helping to fund via the sale of our flip flops.  The school is The Amanchi Narasimham & Venkata Subbamma Girls High School, located in Paruchuru, Prakasam District in Andhra Pradesh, India (see map below).   

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