Finding a Fairer Way to Trade

 Fair trade, but make it real. 

This week Dominique is joined by Nimmity Zappert founder, sales powerhouse, and ethical business builder to talk about fair trade, social enterprise, and the one thing that underpins it all: human connection. 

They get into the messy bits (scaling, quality, power dynamics), the hopeful bits (community, collaboration), and what it means to build a business that actually helps people thrive. 

Transcript

Dominique:
Welcome to the Change Loves Company podcast, where I sit down with creatives, fundraisers, social entrepreneurs, artists, and activists — all with one thing in common: they’re changing the world for the better through their work.

I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land I’m recording on today, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and pay my respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. Always was, always will be.

Nimmity Zappert is a globally experienced founder and sales expert with over 25 years of leadership experience across Asia, Europe, and Australia. She’s led regional operations and commercial strategy across Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and many other places, and has held senior international roles spanning the UK, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent.

She has deep expertise in sales, partnerships, and team development, and has helped build and scale businesses internationally in the enterprise software sector. Today, she brings this international insight into her two ventures: Authentic Selling, where she equips early-stage founders with the skills and tools to succeed in B2B sales, and All of the Good Things, an ethical e-commerce platform that promotes sustainable consumption and fair trade.

Nimmity also runs her own social enterprise and ethical brand, AfriBeads, which supports a community of women in Uganda by providing access to markets for their handmade goods. From 2019 to 2024, Nim served as Chair of Fair Trade Association Australia & New Zealand, leading strategy and community engagement to support access to markets and equitable trade for small producers.

She’s known for her ability to connect commercial strategy with social purpose, helping businesses grow with clarity, authenticity, and a global mindset.

When Nimmity joined us in the studio, we talked about fair trade, community engagement, and where social enterprise is heading in this rather dystopian age we seem to be living in.

So Nim, welcome to the studio. It’s so lovely to have you on Change Loves Company. How are you?

Nimmity:
Well thanks, Dominique. I’m really pleased to be here.

Dominique:
Fantastic. Let’s jump straight in. Tell me a little bit about fair trade. You worked in that space for a long time and you’re still involved through your own business. Where is fair trade at right now, and what are some of the challenges?

Nimmity:
Sure. I often think of fair trade as one of the first versions of social enterprise. It’s been around for over 60 years. I discovered it after doing a lot of work overseas and returning to Australia. I’d seen environmental damage, poverty, and social inequality firsthand and wanted to be involved in something that addressed the whole picture.

Fair trade does that. It starts with people and focuses on addressing poverty through trade, not aid. It’s not a charity model — it’s about giving disadvantaged producers access to markets, ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and non-discrimination. There are ten core principles, including respect for the environment.

What I love most is that it’s about empowerment — helping artisans and producers build their own enterprises rather than positioning them as recipients of charity.

Dominique:
That all sounds wonderful. But what are some of the pitfalls or challenges?

Nimmity:
Like anything, there are challenges. On a global level, fair trade is evolving. Historically, it carried a bit of a “Western world helping poor people” vibe, which it’s thankfully moving away from.

What’s exciting is that many fair trade enterprises are now second- or third-generation businesses. Some are run by university-educated leaders bringing new skills into the mix. That’s helping shift the narrative, but there’s still work to do.

On a more practical level, fair trade is about direct connection — often removing the middleman and working closely with producers. In my own business, I work with a very small group of women, so scaling and maintaining quality takes a lot of time, collaboration, and patience. Balancing impact with commercial viability is always a challenge.

Dominique:
You mentioned AfriBeads earlier. I’m wearing some of your earrings today — they’re beautiful. Tell me how that all began.

Nimmity:
My involvement with fair trade started as a volunteer. Through that work, I met Rosemary Frank, who founded AfriBeads about 15 years ago. She travelled to Uganda on a charity trip and, after witnessing extreme poverty, decided to use the fair trade model to support local women.

She built the enterprise over many years. About two years ago, she decided to retire, and I took over the business. During the transition, I travelled with her to Uganda and met the women myself. That personal connection is incredibly important to me.

Dominique:
You spent many years in corporate tech. What led you here?

Nimmity:
I worked in enterprise software for over 25 years, travelling extensively. I often stayed in five-star hotels while witnessing extreme poverty just outside. That contrast weighed heavily on me.

One moment that stays with me was in Mumbai. I was sitting in a car at a traffic light when a young girl outside my window was doing backflips over and over, hoping for money. I didn’t give her anything, and that moment has never left me. I realised I had skills and experience that could be used for good.

Like many people during COVID, I reached a turning point. I left corporate life and committed to this work full-time.

Dominique:
What skills from your corporate background do you bring into social enterprise?

Nimmity:
Perspective, for one. Travelling extensively helps you understand how different life is for people in different contexts. I also bring strong business fundamentals and the belief that making money isn’t a bad thing — it can be a powerful force for good if done ethically.

I’ve seen both positive and negative examples in corporate life, and that’s shaped how I approach business now.

Dominique:
Social enterprise feels like it’s really growing. Are you seeing that too?

Nimmity:
Absolutely. COVID prompted a lot of reflection. Many people realised they wanted their work to matter more.

I also work with early-stage founders, helping them sell into corporate environments. A big part of that is reframing sales — understanding that earning money is necessary to grow impact. We’re also moving away from charity-only models toward more sustainable, enterprise-based solutions.

Dominique:
You’re part of Impact CoLab. How important is community in this work?

Nimmity:
It’s crucial. I was one of the founding members of Impact CoLab. I literally walked past the space one day and went in.

Beyond friendships, it’s been incredibly practical. I came into this space thinking I knew how to run a business — and quickly realised how much I still had to learn. Community support makes a huge difference.

Everything about fair trade is about connection — working directly with people across the world. Impact CoLab provides that same sense of connection locally.

Dominique:
There’s often a false divide between “bleeding-heart” social enterprises and “cut-throat” corporates. Where do you see the future?

Nimmity:
I believe every business can be a force for good. Not every business has to be a social enterprise, but all businesses can operate responsibly.

Change often comes from within — staff-driven sustainability and ethics initiatives are incredibly powerful. Especially in a world of AI and automation, our humanity and connection matter more than ever.

Dominique:
Do you think social enterprises should aim to make themselves redundant?

Nimmity:
Yes — absolutely. The goal is empowerment. In Uganda, AfriBeads is its own enterprise. The long-term aim is for them to be fully self-sufficient.

It’s challenging — literacy, infrastructure, and resources vary — but building enterprise capacity creates lasting impact. People need stable income first. Everything else follows from that.

Dominique:
Final question: if I said I wanted to start a social enterprise, what would you tell me?

Nimmity:
Connect with people. Find your community. And then — go for it.

It’s tough, and there’s a lot to learn, but the rewards are enormous. When I receive a shipment from Uganda and see the names of the women who made each item, knowing I’ve helped directly — nothing beats that.