GlobeIn

GlobeIn was founded in 2011 by Vladimir Ermakov (CEO) and Liza Moiseeva in San Francisco, California. Ermakov, a former robotics engineer, wanted to use technology to fuse social good with consumerism by creating a marketplace for fair trade products from artisans worldwide. The company raised $1.1 million in seed funding (total funding $2.35M) and achieved profitability within two years by launching themed monthly subscription boxes featuring handmade products from over 40 countries.

Company Mission

GlobeIn’s mission is to promote fair trade and support global artisans by providing an online marketplace and subscription service for ethical, handmade products from developing countries. As a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation, the company operates on nine Fair Trade principles aiming to create economic opportunities for artisans while delivering unique home goods to consumers.

Products & Services

GlobeIn offers multiple subscription and shopping options:

• The Artisan Box: $35-40/month subscription (3-12 month commitments) with 3-5 handmade items per themed box
• Maven Membership: $5.99/month for early access and discounts without box delivery
• GlobeIn Shop: À la carte marketplace for purchasing artisan products without subscription
• Custom Box Builder: Subscribers can preview monthly themes and customize, swap, or skip boxes

All subscriptions include free shipping the first month, then $10/month. Products are handmade by artisans from over 40 countries, with each item taking 17+ hours to create. The company claims to support thousands of artisans globally.

What Sets Them Apart

GlobeIn differentiates through ethical sourcing and fair trade certification. As a verified Fair Trade Federation member, products are ethically produced by artisans in developing countries, with the company’s model creating direct economic opportunities. The subscription box approach introduced fair trade products to consumers who might not otherwise seek them, helping the company reach profitability quickly.

However, serious operational and ethical concerns undermine the fair trade mission. GlobeIn holds a BBB F rating (not accredited), and multiple reports document suppliers from India and other countries claiming millions in unpaid debts to small artisan producers, the very makers the company claims to support. These allegations directly contradict fair trade principles. Additionally, customers report overpricing, product quality issues, customer service unresponsiveness, shipping delays, and product availability problems. While 4.0/5 Trustpilot from 672 reviews suggests some customer satisfaction, the combination of BBB F rating and alleged supplier non-payment raises significant questions about business practices and sustainability.