What is EthicalCommunity.com?

EthicalCommunity.com is a marketplace where you can not only buy ethical products directly from the sellers that make them, but you can get to know each seller and learn about the story behind each product we sell.

Since the site launched in October 2010 it has attracted hundreds of sellers across the world, and our marketplace has thousands of unique products ranging from Fairtrade coffee, to handmade natural soap, to up-cycled tshirts.

The website also simplifies the often complicated  process of shopping ethically by explaining what each products ethical credentials and certificates mean. Shoppers can also learn more about each seller by interact with sellers reading interviews and interacting with them via the sites own social network, where they can learn more about the story and people behind the products they buy.

Our goal as a company is not only to give (often small one man band) sellers a platform to sell products but also to give consumers all the tools and information they need to demystify ethical shopping, and to create open debates about key issues that will help shape our planet.

Our Story

Co-Founders Liam Paterson (left) and Jason Dainter (right)

EthicalCommunity.com was originally born out of the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, but is now a global platform. Liam Patterson, both an avid environmentalist and entrepreneur, realised that thousands upon thousands of sellers across the world were producing beautiful and ethical products, but lacked a platform to sell then to the masses. Furthermore, these sellers were not only experts in their own niche areas (having a wealth of information they were happy to share with others) but had extremely interesting stories and backgrounds.

On the other side of the fence, an increasing amount of consumers were realising that in order to look after our planet we need to be more aware about what products we are buying, ranging from where our clothing comes from, how it’s made and who makes it, through to the products we use clean our house with to the coffee we drink.

Liam quickly teamed up with our other co-founder and fellow entrepreneur Jason Dainter who not only shared Liams vision but also had a background with building social media platforms (which the pair decided was vital in order to ensure the buyers and sellers on the site could interact in the very personal way that our marketplace allows).

The Team

Liam Patterson

Liam, entrepreneur and co-founder of EthicalCommunity.com, is passionate about ethical and environmental issues. Liam studied a degree in Environmental Management from the University of Leeds where the concept for this marketplace was born and nurtured. Liam has a strong background in E-commerce and tends to focus on looking after our sellers and community to make sure all the great feedback we get is put into action. When Liam isn’t working hard on the site, he enjoys enjoying nature and fencing (en garde!)

Jason Dainter

Jason, also entrepreneur and co-founder of EthicalCommunity.com, describes himself as "park geek part human!", being a lover of technology but also of managing talented and entrepreneurial teams. Aside from his strong passion for the environment Jason has run a series of successful online businesses. Jason tends to focus his efforts towards the cogs and bolts that make the site tick, and of course constantly innovating to ensure the platform gets bigger and better every week. When Jason isnt working away on the site he enjoys travelling and attempting to master fly fishing! 

Andy Pasztirak

Andy is our extremely talented developer and is responsible for making all of Jason and Liam’s crazy ideas turn into a reality! Andy has over 10 years development experience and where others say "no it can't be done" Andy says "hmmm, ok let’s do it!". When Andy is working away on the site he enjoys falconry and archery (probably why he's so good at hitting targets!).