Why it Matters?
Why It Matters
You might be wondering why my business matters—and why I’m asking for your support in raising funds for a used Ford Transit van. The truth is, small businesses like mine, working in the world of waste diversion, face uphill battles every day. We carry high operating costs, and we’re up against cheaper alternatives—like junk hauling companies that send everything straight to the landfill. It’s just the reality of running a business with its heart in sustainability.
And I’ll be honest—there are days when I feel defeated. Yesterday was a 14-hour day (not including the hours I lay awake thinking about clients, sales, and logistics). The day before? Thirteen hours. That’s not unusual. This morning, running on exhaustion, I wasn’t sure I had it in me. I had to unload one client’s items and then drive into D.C. to meet another. It was pouring rain, hot and humid, and I realized at the last minute that I’d forgotten packing materials. Frustrated and running late, I stopped at Staples.
An employee helped me find the last of their packing paper—she had to get a ladder because it sells out so fast. When she asked if I was moving, I told her about my business, how I help people downsize and give items a second life. She listened and then said: “They should all do what I do. Hire one of those junkers and just have them haul it away. Then I don’t have to worry about it—it’s all taken to the dump. Out of sight, out of mind.”
And that—right there—is why my work matters.
Those words hit me hard, but also reminded me exactly why I do what I do. After leaving Staples, I drove into D.C. to meet a client who collects shiny beautiful objects. His collection grew from hobbies into obsessions, and now he needs to part with many of them. I’ve been to his home four times so far, carefully packing 56 boxes and other pieces for consignment. Each one is cleaned, researched, cataloged, and listed— ready for a new chapter in someone else’s home. The money he earns will help him move forward.
This is why it matters.
And he’s not alone. Most of my clients are older, many elderly, and many living alone. Working with them often feels like stepping into a time capsule. Each piece tells a story. They recall when and where they bought it, or share memories of loved ones who passed it down. Sometimes, my presence makes it easier for them to let go—sorting and packing becomes cathartic instead of overwhleming; and this is also why it matters.
By the end of today, my exhaustion had lifted. Between the conversation at Staples and the time with my client, I was reminded why I need to keep going—why Berryfine Goods must grow. To help more people. To redistribute more items into the community through nonprofits. To preserve history and keep life in the antique and vintage. To turn discarded materials into recycled art (through www.jennynewberry.art).
To donate to our work van fund, please CLICK HERE
