About Us
What does Ethical Swag do?
Ethical Swag is a Certified B Corp promotional products company that helps organizations source, customize, store, and distribute branded merchandise across Canada and the United States. We support onboarding kits, corporate gifts, company stores, event merchandise, and fulfillment programs with a focus on responsible sourcing, better visibility, and easier execution.
We built Ethical Swag to make branded merchandise easier to manage and easier to trust. Our approach combines thoughtful product curation, operational support, and a stronger standard for transparency so organizations can choose merchandise that reflects who they are.
What makes organizations choose Ethical Swag for branded merchandise?
Organizations choose Ethical Swag because we make branded merchandise programs easier to run and easier to trust. We bring together sourcing, coordination, and fulfillment with better visibility across products, orders, and inventory, helping teams reduce complexity, avoid duplication, and manage programs more consistently across locations and timelines.
Whether you are ordering for a single project or managing merch across teams, locations, and timelines, things can get complicated quickly. We help simplify that with clearer visibility, thoughtful coordination, and a more consistent approach to sourcing and fulfillment.
Better Visibility
Track inventory, orders, and program activity more clearly across teams and locations. Our systems are designed to bring visibility to what is happening across your merch program, so decisions are easier and fewer things fall through the cracks.
Easier Coordination
From single orders to more complex needs across teams, offices, and regions, we help reduce back-and-forth and keep things moving from sourcing to delivery. Where possible, we work regionally to align sourcing and fulfillment with where products are being used.
Less Waste
Avoid stale inventory, duplicate ordering, and unnecessary spend by having a clearer view of what exists, what is needed, and what actually gets used.
More Confidence
Feel better about the products you choose and the partner you work with. We bring a more thoughtful approach to sourcing, supplier standards, and overall program support.
How does Ethical Swag select and evaluate promotional products?
Ethical Swag curates products based on quality, supplier practices, and sustainability attributes to make decision-making easier and more reliable.
Each product is reviewed for usability, sourcing standards, and overall fit so clients can choose confidently without navigating large, inconsistent catalogs or unclear claims.
There is no shortage of products in this industry. The challenge is knowing what is actually worth putting your brand on. We narrow the field to options we would feel comfortable recommending, while still offering flexibility across budgets, timelines, and use cases.
Curated, Not Overwhelming
We focus on a more thoughtful selection of products rather than endless options. This makes it easier to compare, decide, and move forward without second-guessing every choice.
Quality You Can Stand Behind
Products are evaluated with durability, usability, and overall feel in mind, so what you choose reflects well on your brand and is more likely to be kept and used.
Supplier Standards That Matter
We work with suppliers who demonstrate stronger practices across areas like social compliance, environmental impact, product safety, and supply chain transparency.
Sustainability, Without the Pressure
We offer options with attributes like recycled or organic materials, give-back programs, and Certified B Corp brands, while meeting clients where they are and avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.
Attention to Detail
We carefully review artwork, order specifications, and delivery information because even small errors can impact timelines, budgets, and how your brand is represented.
Consistent Follow-Through
We focus on doing what we say we will do, keeping projects on track from sourcing through delivery, with clear communication along the way.
Independently Verified Standards
As a Certified B Corporation, Ethical Swag has been assessed against global standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Human Support
Behind every order is a team paying attention. Our approach is tech-enabled so our team can focus on supporting clients directly, helping navigate decisions and follow-through without unnecessary back-and-forth.
Why clients trust Ethical Swag
Clients trust Ethical Swag because branded merchandise impacts brand reputation, timelines, budgets, and internal coordination. We combine structured processes, attention to detail, and independently verified standards as a Certified B Corp to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliable follow-through from sourcing through delivery.
From artwork approvals to final delivery, small details matter. We take a hands-on approach to managing those details so projects run as expected, with fewer surprises along the way.
How do clients work with Ethical Swag?
Clients work with Ethical Swag across a range of branded merchandise needs, from one-time orders to ongoing programs. This includes onboarding kits, company stores, event merchandise, and fulfillment across multiple teams and locations, supported by systems that bring consistency, visibility, and coordination to how merchandise is managed over time.
We've supported organizations across onboarding, events, and purpose-driven programs. These examples show how our approach works in practice:
- Welcome kits and onboarding programs with EDC
- Merch programs with the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada
- Events using merchandise to support a broader purpose: Greater Purpose Case Study
Mission
What is Ethical Swag's mission?
Ethical Swag's mission is to help organizations make branded merchandise decisions they can stand behind. We combine thoughtful product selection, responsible sourcing, and practical service so clients can represent their brand clearly, reduce risk in their choices, and move forward with confidence.
We believe merchandise is more than something with a logo on it. It reflects how a company shows up, what it chooses to support, and how carefully it makes decisions on behalf of its brand. Done well, it doesn't just carry your logo—it represents what you stand for.
Leadership & team
Who founded Ethical Swag and why was it created?
Ethical Swag was founded by Tara Milburn to address the lack of transparency and intention in branded merchandise. The company was built to help organizations make clearer, more thoughtful decisions about what they put their name on, combining better systems with human support.
Rather than treating merchandise as a transactional purchase, the goal was to build a company that helps organizations make more informed choices about how products reflect their brand.
Over time, that perspective has shaped how Ethical Swag operates. It's not about selling more products—it's about helping organizations make better decisions about the ones they choose.
Meet the team
Tara M.
CEO
Nova Scotia, Canada
Amy G.
Graphic Designer
Ontario, Canada
Ellie M.
Operations
Nova Scotia, Canada
Lisa L.
Team Support
Nova Scotia, Canada
Liz M.
CX Team
Nova Scotia, Canada
Alice O.
Administrative Assistant
Nairobi, Kenya
Deb M.
Procurement Specialist
Nova Scotia, Canada
Kelly Ann L.
Fulfillment Coordinator
Nova Scotia, Canada
John Paul B.
Procurement Specialist
Pampanga, Philippines
Meghan H.
Marketing Coordinator
Nova Scotia, Canada
Company Facts
A quick reference for who we are, where we work, and what we offer.
- Company facts
- Certified B Corporation
- Certified Woman-Owned Business
- Founded in 2010
- Headquarters: Nova Scotia, Canada
- Serving organizations across Canada and the United States
- Core services: branded merchandise, corporate gifting, onboarding kits, company stores, warehousing, and fulfillment
Certifications and Memberships
Ethical Swag holds certifications and memberships that reflect how we operate as a business. These affiliations support accountability, supplier diversity, and responsible business practices across sourcing, operations, and partnerships.
Certified B Corporation
Assessed against global standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
WBE Canada
Certified as a women-owned business, supporting supplier diversity initiatives.
WBE Canada
Certified as a women-owned business, supporting supplier diversity initiatives.
Pledge 1%
Commitment to contribute time, profit, or resources to social and community initiatives.
Pledge 1%
Commitment to contribute time, profit, or resources to social and community initiatives.
Bonneville Environmental Foundation
Supports environmental initiatives as part of a broader commitment to responsible practices.
Bonneville Environmental Foundation
Supports environmental initiatives as part of a broader commitment to responsible practices.
Certified B Corporation
Assessed against global standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Awards and Recognition
Ethical Swag has been recognized for entrepreneurship, growth, and export leadership, reflecting the work behind building a different kind of branded merchandise company.
Award entries
2022 WBE Canada Excellence Awards —
Rising Star Finalist
2021 Technopreneur of the Year Award — Winner
