Our archive summary can be accessed here: 2016 Global Impact Summary
Retail Revival harnesses the power of technology and eBay’s global marketplace to support and grow small businesses, strengthen local economies and foster vibrant community growth. Launched in select cities in 2018, retailers are learning from eBay how to reach new markets and attract customers from virtually anywhere in the world.
Expertise to compete globally
eBay is teaming up with the cities of Akron, Ohio, and Lansing, Michigan, to train and empower local business owners to sell their unique inventory in a global marketplace.
We’re a proud partner with eBay; we’re very excited for them to be here. They’re going to give us the expertise for everyone to be able to compete in a global marketplace.
– Dan Horrigan, Mayor of Akron
The Retail Revival program will allow us to further support the growth of small businesses throughout the city. Lansing’s time is now, and it’s an honor that eBay chose our city as the next leader in local businesses utilizing their online platform.
– Andy Schor, Mayor of Lansing
I’m proud that we paid over $40K in wages to people with disabilities while we were a super tiny pilot company. I already feel like a success.
Featured Seller Fruitful opportunities
Peaceful Fruits | Akron, Ohio
For as long as he can remember, people told Evan Delahanty he should start his own business. But it wasn’t until he served in the Peace Corps that Evan found his purpose: A business that helps support the people in the Amazon, creates a sustainable product, creates wages for people in the Akron community, and is unlike anything else.
I’m proud that we paid over $40K in wages to people with disabilities while we were a super tiny pilot company. I already feel like a success.
Fruitful opportunities
Peaceful Fruits | Akron, Ohio
Peaceful Fruits sources ethical, organic, fair trade fruits and berries, like acai, mango and passion fruit, to create its fruit strips and snacks in Evan’s hometown of Akron, Ohio. The business enables harvesters in the Amazon to earn money while maintaining natural living—while Evan provides his customers with a way to connect to Mother Nature through food.
As Peaceful Fruits began to quickly outpace Evan’s ability to serve customers on his own, he met A.J., a young man with Down’s Syndrome.
A.J. offered to help Evan package the fruit leather into bags, and he became the first of many people with special needs and abilities to join the company.
Our companies are built on the repurposing of materials into something that is usable and beautiful. It’s encouraging that we can do our part in reducing the waste that has done damage to our ecosystem.
Featured Seller Sustainably crafted
Kontur Wood Works | Akron, Ohio
Grace Kontur grew up watching her dad, John, construct homes for families in Akron, Ohio. She and her siblings would tag along to contracting sites where John taught them to build. Years later, when Grace returned home after college looking to start a new company, it’s not surprising it would involve two things: craftsmanship and her dad.
Our companies are built on the repurposing of materials into something that is usable and beautiful. It’s encouraging that we can do our part in reducing the waste that has done damage to our ecosystem.
Sustainably crafted
Kontur Wood Works | Akron, Ohio
Kontur Wood Works was founded in 2017 by the father-daughter team. They design and build custom, sustainable live-edge furniture that complement the natural shape and aesthetics of unprocessed wood to create one-of-a-kind designs. Kontur uses locally salvaged logs that would otherwise be mulched or turned into firewood to create beautiful, unique tables, seating, art pieces, countertops, desks and much more.
Finding uses for repurposed materials is at the heart of another company Grace founded with her father, ABC Materials. Born from a desire to give people an affordable way to improve their homes and quality of living, ABC Materials sources a variety of surplus building products from manufacturers, such as trim, windows, doors and flooring, and resells them at a discounted price.
“We’re keeping items from being processed and turned into waste from the get-go,” said Grace. “Both Kontur Wood Works and ABC Materials are doing what we can to contribute to the sustainability and revitalization of Akron.”
Other Ways eBay Accelerates an Inclusive Economy
Opportunity for All
eBay enables everyone to participate in—and benefit from—global commerce.
Impacting the Economy
U.S. small businesses on eBay employ more than 690,000 people. See the positive impact driven by eBay’s 6+ million sellers.
