Saint Peter's Prep, a well-respected high school in New Jersey, has recently made a key decision to diversify the merchandise of its campus shop. Thanks to a partnership with a small family business called XIAMEN IOKA IMPORT AND EXPORT CO., LTD, students now have access to a range of uniquely designed and sustainable items that are both practical and trendy.
XIAMEN IOKA is a business that specializes in the stone industry, particularly marble, terrazzo, and sintered stone. They've been in operation for over twenty years and have recently branched out to offer newly developed furniture products. In seeking to expand their reach beyond their traditional domain, the company approached Saint Peter's Prep and proposed a partnership that the school administration enthusiastically welcomed.
"We're passionate about supporting small businesses and helping our students find products that are both practical and eco-friendly," says Sharon Stevens, the director of Saint Peter's campus shop. "We're thrilled by the opportunity to partner with XIAMEN IOKA to bring unique and sustainable products to our students."
One of the products Saint Peter's Prep is now offering to students is a composition notebook that is made entirely from marble chips. The notebook is handcrafted and each one is unique in its color and texture. The notebooks are strikingly beautiful but also strong and durable, making them perfect for the rigors of high school life.
"This notebook is definitely one of our most unique products," says Helen Wong, representative of XIAMEN IOKA. "We love the idea of turning waste materials into something useful and lovely. We think it's important to show students that sustainability doesn't have to be boring or unattractive."
XIAMEN IOKA also collaborated with Saint Peter's Prep on a range of other sustainable products. The campus shop now offers coasters made of recycled terrazzo, desk organizers made of sintered stone, and even hand-carved marble chess sets. All these products are both practical and exquisite, making them ideal for gifts or personal use.
"We're delighted with the response we've had from the students and faculty so far," says Wong. "They appreciate that we're offering them something different, something sustainable, and something that helps support a small business."
The partnership between Saint Peter's Prep and XIAMEN IOKA is a wonderful example of how small businesses can work with larger institutions to bring unique and sustainable products to the market. Both parties are passionate about promoting sustainability and ethical business practices, and through this partnership, they're creating an opportunity for students to engage with these concepts in a tangible and accessible way.
"We're proud to be supporting XIAMEN IOKA and their efforts to promote sustainable practices," says Stevens. "We hope that this partnership will inspire other schools and organizations to consider sustainable alternatives and small businesses when they're looking for merchandise options."
The Saint Peter's Prep campus shop will continue to add new products to its inventory and work with XIAMEN IOKA to develop unique and sustainable options for students and faculty. With each sale, they'll be promoting a sustainable future and supporting small businesses in their community.