Ethical Swag: Tara Milburn’s Mission to Redefine Corporate Responsibility

Ethical Swag: Tara Milburn’s Mission to Redefine Corporate Responsibility
Image Courtesy: Ethical Swag

In an insightful conversation with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Tara Milburn, President and CEO of Ethical Swag, shared the experiences that shaped her journey to founding the company. With a background in professional sports, tech start-ups, and foreign investment, Tara witnessed both the positive and negative shifts in global business practices. This inspired her to create Ethical Swag, a company dedicated to leveraging business as a force for good. Tara’s commitment to social and ecological sustainability is evident in every aspect of Ethical Swag’s operations, from their carefully chosen supply chain partners to their dedication to offering high-quality, ethically sourced products. Her belief that meaningful change is achieved through thoughtful decisions is the driving force behind the company’s mission and growth.

Tara’s career spans over three decades, where she developed skills in foreign direct investment, sales, marketing, business development, partnerships, strategic planning, communications, and customer service. Her professional journey includes government roles and private sector positions, encompassing everything from startups to international enterprise. A notable highlight in her career was as an initial team member that successfully brought the 2010 Olympic Winter Games to Vancouver, BC, and she was also involved in the NBA’s first international expansion into Canada.

Tara founded Ethical Swag in 2010 but didn’t quit her full-time corporate job until after turning 50, when her kids were older and she could dedicate more time and energy to the venture. She embarked on a journey to redefine what success looks like in her company. Tara believes that business has created many of the challenges we face globally, and has an important role to play in fixing it. Ethical Swag serves as Tara’s testament to the idea that significant problems can be addressed in business, even within a mature industry like promotional products.


Can you share the journey that led you to found Ethical Swag and how your experiences in professional sports, tech start-ups, and foreign investment influenced your vision for the company?

Over my 30 years in business, I’ve seen the world change in remarkable ways, but I’ve also witnessed a troubling decline in others. I started Ethical Swag because I believe business can be a powerful tool to address the challenges facing our society and planet. Too often, we shy away from tackling big problems because they seem overwhelming. But I’m convinced that if we focus on what’s immediately possible, rather than chasing perfection, we can create real change from the ground up. Ethical Swag is my way of showing that meaningful impact is achievable—one thoughtful decision at a time.

RBC Canada Small Business

How does Ethical Swag integrate the principles of social and ecological sustainability into its supply chain, and why is this focus so crucial for the corporate merchandise industry today?

Tackling major issues like sustainability can feel daunting, but I believe that progress starts with each of us doing what’s within our control. At Ethical Swag, we apply this mindset to our supply chain by supporting suppliers who prioritize transparency and are committed to improving their environmental and social impact. While we may not control every aspect of our suppliers’ operations, we can certainly influence them by choosing to partner with those who align with our values. By harnessing the collective buying power of our clients, Ethical Swag channels resources into supply chains that are actively working towards a more sustainable future. This approach not only drives change but also sets a new standard in the corporate merchandise industry, proving that every decision, no matter how small, can contribute to a larger, positive impact.

Ethical Swag: Tara Milburn’s Mission to Redefine Corporate Responsibility
Image Courtesy Ethical Swag

What challenges have you faced in promoting sustainable promotional products, and how do you ensure that your customers understand the importance of ethical sourcing?

The promotional products industry has often operated under a “fast and cheap” mindset, which has set a standard that we believe needs to change. At Ethical Swag, we’ve taken a different approach. Sustainability isn’t just an add-on for us; it’s the foundation of everything we do. From the start, we’ve focused on partnering with clients and suppliers who are genuinely committed to creating a better world. When we receive requests for the cheapest products, we respectfully decline, because we believe in offering quality that aligns with your values. Our aim isn’t to convince or convert anyone—we’re here to collaborate with organizations that already value ethical sourcing. We work hard to make it easy for our clients to access trusted, sustainable products, and we take pride in being a reliable partner who views business through a lens of long-term impact, not short-term gain.


As a Certified B Corporation, how does Ethical Swag balance profitability with its mission to put people and the planet first, and what impact has this had on your business growth and customer relationships?

As a Certified B Corporation, Ethical Swag’s mission to prioritize people and the planet is central to everything we do—and it’s not just a marketing tactic. When companies put their logo on a product, they’re making a statement about their values. We believe that sustainability and ethical sourcing should be part of that statement. Our mission is why we exist, and it’s been a catalyst for our growth, not a barrier. We’re growing because our clients value our different approach—not because it’s trendy, but because it’s how we show up every day. This approach has strengthened our relationships with customers who share our values, demonstrating that you can be profitable while staying true to what matters. It’s about building a brand that reflects the kind of world we all want to create together.

Ethical Swag: Tara Milburn’s Mission to Redefine Corporate Responsibility
Image Courtesy Ethical Swag

Given your extensive experience in business and volunteer work, what advice would you offer to other entrepreneurs who want to align their business goals with a strong sense of purpose and social responsibility?

My advice to entrepreneurs looking to align their business goals with purpose and social responsibility is to surround yourself with like-minded people. Building a network of supportive peers can make all the difference on your journey. I can’t count the number of times I was told I was wrong, but my years of experience and confidence in my vision kept me moving forward. For younger entrepreneurs, it can be challenging to stick to your values when the prevailing advice is often to grow fast and exit at all costs. It can feel like swimming against the current, especially in the early days. But remember, your vision and purpose are what set you apart. Stay true to them, even when it’s difficult. The right community will support you, and in the long run, that’s what will lead to sustainable success—not just for your business, but for the impact you want to make.

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CanadianSME
With an aim to contribute to the development of Canada’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s), Cmarketing Inc is a potential marketing agency and a boutique business management company progressing rapidly in its scope. By acknowledging a firm reliance of the Canadian economy over its SMEs, the agency has resolved to launch a magazine, the pure focus of which will be the furtherance of Canadian SMEs, and to assist their progress with the scheduled token of enlightenment via the magazine’s pertinent content.
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