the problem with parent companies...

[@Sean_neaS]

Parent company should be a label requirement and required on all advertising.

[@lunar686]

The level of influence of a parent company is also something I’d like to know. Like I’m happy for a percentage of profits to be shared to help smaller companies to have access to better infrastructure and logistics....but there’s a clear difference between assisting growth that way, and completely changing company operations to a point where they no longer align with the values they promoted to their customer base

[@tymondabrowski12]

I think it might be a label requirement in UE, I've seen it mamy times on labels.

[@MeepMoments]

⁠@@tymondabrowski12oo

[@Eosinophyllis]

In terms of foodstuffs you can actually find it- look at the manufacturing location

[@angelaburress8586]

@@lunar686 For what purpose does that even serve 💁🏽‍♀️💁🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️ go smoke a joint and calm tf down💃🏽🙄🙄💁🏽‍♀️💁🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️🤣🤣🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ stop 🛑 being a Karen

[@melevonne]

I'm Ivorian and I have to say that when it comes to cocoa, it probably has it's issues in Ivory Coast, but a lot of children end up working with their parents because they CANNOT afford school. A lot of child labor happens in our world because parents cannot pay for school and they have no other option.

[@iluvzurara2]

Yup same with coffee in central and South America. It’s very disheartening

[@RangeGleasry]

I understand and wonder what is keeping these giant conglomerates from paying living wages to their workers and making sure human rights violations don’t happen, especially considering that the commodity in question is used in expensive and luxury commodities at the end of the line Edit: Shelby literally just explained midway through the video :)

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

I've taken public school for granted as an American. I'm so sad to realize this is not the norm. :(

[@iluvzurara2]

@@lowwastehighmelanin i mean it is normal for children everywhere to go to school. but for the people with very low socioeconomic status in many countries around the world, this is their norm. youd also be surprised at the lives of the very poor and homeless children right here in the good ole US of A.

[@jfm14]

​@@iluvzurara2 True, people don't realize child labor is legal here in the US in the agricultural sector. Lots of gradeschool-age kids have to work in the fields with their families because they're being paid so little they can't afford to let their kids go to school.

[@Libby147]

All the Nestle candy bars are the real horror of halloween.

[@Shelbizleee]

you said it

[@debrabros2650]

That's the truth!

[@伏見猿比古-k8c]

And they don't even taste good.

[@deszeldra]

Been trying to find an eco-friendly Halloween candy. It doesn’t seem to exist, at least not here in Australia. Definitely a situation where “do your best” applies!

[@film9491]

It sucks that you can’t give away home made stuff because one person one time poisoned his own kid’s Halloween candy after the kid got home from trick or treating and ever since then every local news station every year tries to convince everyone that their neighbors are trying to poison their kids

[@tricksykenbbit1997]

Like Jim Stephanie Sterling says, "They don't want some money, they want ALL the money." God I hate growth-above-all-else capitalism.

[@lunar686]

I’ve recently watched some videos on ‘matured capitalism’ in some of the Nordic countries. Gives me a fair bit of hope for capitalism...provided we go in that direction and get rid of the growth above all else style that’s causing so much harm

[@jiritsu0]

Oh dear, there is a lot to unpack on that, but the short one is: there is no "matured capitalism" in here. There's only the same shit it brings and a lot of wrestling against it from eating up the system.

[@goofyahhhhhhh6131]

@@lunar686 idk how that will work out because we are probably bigger than all the Nordic countries combined also they have high clothing tax it is a big problem. It would be something to think about though because it would be nice to have free health care but it will have long waits and high taxes

[@davidpachecogarcia]

It’s never enough in a system that is always wanting MORE profits.

[@bexbergh4295]

Anyone else noticing we’re having a resurgence of robber barons? Like, not industrialists per say, but capitalists… and that there are a crazy amount of monopolies (parent companies buying up all their competition)?! I so appreciate you, Shelbi, for speaking up. History is repeating itself.

[@abigailmyers2587]

YES!! I’ve been saying this for years! When will we get another trust-busting president?

[@sarahj2743]

And with them, comes poisoning, corruption in government, poor labor laws, and the “ company store” ( cbdc)

[@Insatiable.Curiosity]

It’d be super interesting if you could get in touch with the Bronner’s company and interview them about staying independent! I so appreciate what you do with your platform!

[@Alenasup]

Id love a video on esg

[@SusieQZee]

They’re an awesome company manufacturing in the town I live in. They’re huge supporters of local theatre. Can’t say enough about the company.

[@jenniferburns2530]

There is a great book called Honor Thy Label about Dr. Bronner's and how they operate, ensure they continue to follow their values, and create sustainable supply chains.

[@kerrionalucas4363]

I would love a video or maybe a PDF list with the current product/companies not owned by parent companies

[@user-br2vj4eq8c]

seconded!

[@mikemclean1511]

It’ll be a short list.

[@SkylarWhitmire]

Azure Standard and all the brands they sell is always a safe bet.

[@depilou]

Do you maintain a list of the "Shelbi Approved" brands or products anywhere? I'd love to shop & help support them where I can!

[@Shelbizleee]

not currently but I should!! That's a good idea, I will add it to my to-do list haha

[@Fotography_by_jenn]

I second that! I went to this comment to see if such a list existed! I would definitely pay to download it, thank you for your work girl!!

[@kelseybrintnall2080]

Yes this would be amazing!!

[@alyciairlbeck3640]

I would pay for a master list as well!!

[@michelleoh2735]

YES! Please. :-)

[@einstwareinlicht]

I swear to god, every brand is soulless nowadays.

[@Shelbizleee]

this is so disturbingly true...

[@ShardDesu]

​@@Shelbizleeeyou might appreciate the work of Michael Parenti. He explains very clearly why companies operate the way they do and the depredations they have committed on the way.

[@HashFace253]

It's not the brand or the businesses fault.. It's the system and incentive structure they operate under. It's capitalism

[@Candytuft-CookingPan]

That's not too surprising to me, given that our system evolves around money, and also because mass consumption in every way shape & form is extremely common right now.

[@mr.x2567]

They are soulless. They always have been. Probably because humans themselves are soulless since they’re the ones that made these companies in the first place. Get rid of humans, get rid of soulless corporations. Simple as that.

[@laurendaniels6817]

Yes please do a video on ESG ratings!

[@rozlynne4102]

Seconded!

[@ldegraaf]

Motion passed! 😊

[@sarahlily2719]

Yes please!

[@staceyd8397]

be interesting as it’s dodgy asf

[@abunlover]

Nestle has done a lot of horrible things, in Africa and South America particularly. Nestle priced out local food manufacturer in South American countries, and incentivized farmers to switch to cash crops rather than subsistence crops. Politicians and their government health agencies had to fight against Nestle to pass laws and regulations to educate the population about nutrition and put more nutrition warnings and labels on their products. We read about it and watched a documentary about it in our ethics class for business school- NYT did a story about it in 2017. It's a very complex case study, as the places targeted by these big MNEs were struggling with malnutrition and hunger, but then began to struggle with health issues tied to obesity, high-calorie, low-nutrient diets. So their size helped them create programs to target poor food deserts, and that came with strong pros and well as strong cons.

[@BankruptMonkey]

Nestle is really similar to Leopold. They own slaves, including child slaves. They do so much else that's awful too but they've directly addressed the slavery and stealing all water from towns and didn't even put a PR spin on it, they just admitted they do it and said their slavery isn't a problem.

[@tonileekingery]

I love you and this!! Just had to tell a story I heard about Dr Bonners!! I work in the mushroom business. And I heard that Dr. Bonner’s sons have taken over the business. They are the ones now running it and have decided to put psychedelic information on it instead of the original religious information. that being said, I think that they will do whatever they need to do to stay a small sustainable company. 😂

[@melissalopez2338]

Lmao that’ll be interesting to read while in the shower

[@gensai93]

Lol is that why the labels make no sense?

[@raedaze]

YESS down with citizens United!!! It’s always been bullshit to me since it has passed, but it’s so rarely talked about!! A big thing for a lot of us is that it costs so much to buy ethical and eco friendly items in these hard economical times. I basically have to decide between morals and keeping myself clean. I don’t have $10 plus dollars to spend towards one bar of soap when I can get four for way less. It’s like how do you decide!! I do what I can, but I can’t do everything. I hate that these companies cause so much disparity. I feel so bad for everyone on the shit end of this. I’m glad that you can personally afford to buy those non parent brands. I hate that more of us cannot. We have to pick and choose.

[@isabellac3598]

I am 100% with you. A flip perspective: if you HAVE to buy a product from a conglomerate, I make sure it’s the ‘sustainable’ one. I am similarly voting with my dollar by demonstrating interest in that eco friendly product in the hope the conglomerate shifts their practices once seeing consumer demand.

[@aaronhoy3410]

I mean just as an fyi "sustainability" & "eco-friendly" product labels, stickers, tags, etc... are mostly bullshit. Especially, though not solely, on things from giant corporations.

[@yupperz6494]

Can we just appreciate Shelby's passion and knowledge on these issues? Respect 🙌🔥

[@amoto1501]

Yes to another video about ESG corruption!

[@mandyhackman9740]

Tony’s chocolate exists in order to be a test case for slave-free chocolate that’s commercially viable and they’re also very accessible in the US. The quiet re-monopolizing of the economy is so creepy and messed up. There’s a great essay on this from few years ago in the blog The Patterning if anyone wants to read about it in other industries too.

[@denden798]

Yes! I wish more people knew about Tony’s

[@shv5626]

@@denden798omg Tony’s is DELICIOUS too

[@kaileyvlack3235]

So glad Burt's Bees was featured! Not many people know about the corporate story.

[@katiwoodhouse1851]

All of this is so frustrating. I wish it was easier to know what parent company owns the smaller companies. Idk if ec30 started as a small brand but P&G now owns it. It's infuriating. For years I have tried to stop using Dove bar soap to stop supporting Unilever but anything else I have tried irritates my skin. It is so, so hard to navigate all of this as a consumer. Thank you so much Shelbi for educating us all and doing all this research.

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

Weirdly? Wikipedia. Mergers and acquisitions are public and someone is diligently updating them on there.

[@alohalife7541]

Castile baby soap dr bronners

[@Siures]

@@lowwastehighmelaninYes, but you have to research every single brand you buy constantly. And remember which company owns them and to which degree. It is a full time job. I’m totally for a obligation to have the parent company on the packaging.

[@thenopedetective]

This exacerbates my eczema so badly - even the baby stuff and diluted.

[@floralia05]

My skin is usually pretty sensitive, bela bar soap seems to work pretty well imo.

[@NihilisticJawbreaker]

First, let me say I love your content! Second, "the crying Indian" is actually an Italian American actor and not Native or Indigenous at all. He was in red face for a movie role when they thought he would be perfect for the role 🤦‍♀️ Third, yes please, to more video essays! I would love one on both of the topics you mentioned at the end. Also, maybe one on some sustainability influencers - people you follow, recommend, or even people you don't for whatever reason. Lastly, please make your mental list of brands a sharable list! I for one would pay you for your time/effort because it is so hard to do the work that goes into trying to live sustainably.

[@corridor.dweller8548]

Another layer to the concept of voting with your dollar is the fact that it's a very privileged concept. Being able to support brands that you like and not support ones you don't like through purchasing power is very much a concept that only exists in areas where there is diversity in options. Food deserts are extremely prevalent in rural areas, so when you're living in a small town with a population of 10,000 or less and the only grocery store is Walmart it makes it really hard to be able to make ethical decisions through purchasing power. I live in a college town where the only craft store is a hobby Lobby, which is devastating as a studio/fiber artist because I either travel 2 hours to a store that I do support like Jo-Ann's, or I spend money at a very ethically questionable company out of pure convenience.

[@lisapoulsen5452]

If these companies would put all the money they spend on lobbying into changes to their environmental destination, wouldn’t they end up being further ahead!? So frustrating🤬. One brand we had here in Canada called “Cake” got bought by Marc Anthony…sucks because the products themselves just aren’t the same quality anymore…maximizing profits can happen by lowering the quality of the product itself. I think the whole Devacurl brand lawsuit bonanza is another prime example of how much damage these giant conglomerates can do to a name that someone built to be trusted. It’s so sad and disgusting🤬🤬🤬

[@kelseybrintnall2080]

It’s the crabs in a bucket mentality. Everybody (every corporation) is stepping on everyone else’s neck to get ahead

[@magadiendor]

This video was extremely good Shelby! The passion in your voice almost made me cry. You should do politics, your speech is very powerful. And wise of course. Thank you for caring and for making me care more

[@twomarie]

Can you make a video essay on how corporations decide education policies that impact literally all of us? I saw an episode of the good wife that alleges the my plate recommended food chart taught in schools is not actually based on any legitimate health research rather whichever industry like dairy or corn has more money gets to be marketed to children they are healthy as if its fact. If that is true its horrifying...

[@lisapoulsen5452]

I do love these essay videos!! They take a lot of work and I appreciate every ounce of work you put into them🥰

[@wendygreene]

I would love to see a deep-dive into businesses that are not owned by parent companies (like Dr. Bronners) and how they have been able to maintain enviromental standards and costs without selling out.

[@kleptomelly]

Deodorants have been one of the harder things for me to find a brand that aligns with my values and also works for me. A big part of that is that i want an antiperspirant and fragrance free as well. It's almost impossible to find and definitely not from a sustainable brand. Doing you best the majority of the time and always being open to doing better is really all we can do.

[@lunar686]

Lol I know the feels, worse part is where the fragrance is added almost unnecessarily into products I otherwise really like (think like neutrogena’s HA line lol). But I’m also lucky I can use single actives like glycolic or mandelic acid that have the same effect as an antiperspirant for me, and there’s a lot of smaller ethical companies that produce these products. Unfortunately until ethical production and skin concerns become more normalised, having either or both of these concerns means more time and effort researching, as buying off the shelf when grocery shopping doesn’t look like it’ll happen any time soon

[@thenopedetective]

Yes, sented natural deodorants so often smell terrible on me. I like Ethiques unscented, but the shipping is an issue.

[@fearoffrying]

I appreciate this so much. I have worked for crunchy local grocery chains, including Whole Foods over the last 15 years and seeing so many brands being bought out in real time just led me to getting cynical and making things at home when I can because it feels impossible to keep up with the acquisitions. It’s so damn insidious for these conglomerates to go after smaller companies trying to do the right thing making it near impossible to avoid supporting them financially.

[@karaleigh_eva]

I really just you to know, Shelby, how all of your efforts into this channel are so appreeciated. You've dedicated your life to educating the public and revealing the deplorable truth behind our society and you've opened my eyes in a million and one ways. I'm never going back. Because of you, I'm dedicating my life to the chang we all desperately need to see. I think of you and you're channel eery time I go grocery shopping, every gift-giving season, and honestly with every single item I bring into my home. Every single one of your subscribers is another pair of hands working to cultivate the future that we wanna see, and none of that would be happening without your passion for change and education. Thank you so much Shelby!

[@elihinze3161]

I'd love a video on ESG and investments!! I hate how these shady parent companies intentionally muddy the waters

[@Moonlight-co4hs]

Thank you for making this video. I’m sick of supporting small companies who sell out. We make them successful, then they sell-out. Then you start searching again for another sustainable company.

[@helena4320]

A deodorant suggestion: Ben&Anna has very similar ingredients as native, comes in a paper tube (or tins also available) and as far as I know and can find out through quick googling they are still independent as a brand. The only issue may be that it is a German brand so I don't know how available it is in the USA. Another one where the main active ingredient is the same but overall it's slightly different is Lavera Deo Creme. I've struggled with natural deodorants too but these I actually like!

[@heatherrowe2979]

I learned so much watching this video. Thank you for putting in all of the time to research this topic. I would love to see a deep dive into ESG.

[@debrabros2650]

I think a deep dive on ESG would be so hopeful. I love your passion and endurance for the environment and ethical politics.

[@erjanica25]

FYI - the "Indian" man in that commercial isn't even Indian. He's Italian.

[@Shelbizleee]

😮 I didn't know that!!

[@Keebzoo]

They talk about it in The Parrot and the Igloo

[@kateri.]

I was looking to see if someone already said it 👍

[@Insatiable.Curiosity]

@@Keebzoosuch an excellent book!

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

we call ourselves indigenous heads up

[@aubreevanderwoude8530]

I always become skeptical about small brands being bought out when I start to see big dispays of them at my local grocery store, or they start launching a ton of new products. That takes serious capital to do (not likely a small independent business could afford) and to me screams "probably greenwashing." When I saw a huge Native enscap display at my local grocery store, I knew something was up. Such a bummer 💔

[@The-watter]

I was so happy for the company finaly geting the reconition they deserverd :(

[@Cyanopteryx]

Shelbi, I'd be interested to see you talk about companies like Grocery Outlet and compare the ethics of that business model to typical grocery stores. I'm not well researched on it, but it seems more sustainable so I try to buy more of my essentials from there than big name stores.

[@lamaj7896]

I second this. Also Trader Joe’s.

[@thenopedetective]

Trader Joe's is owned by Aldi Nord. But maybe there are more local products? (I live really and have never shopped at one) I'd imagine it's one of those palces you have to check everything as many natural independent seeming products can be purchased by parent companies.

[@thenopedetective]

*live rurally

[@debbiemckeown7626]

When you don’t live near zero waste shops and don’t drive it is frustrating only having access to certain brands you think are sustainable and then they are owned by a parent company you want to avoid.

[@pamwishbow8826]

Here to say these are my favorite style of your videos, keep doing them for as long as you love to!

[@MishiBelley]

And you know who the shareholders are that hold these megacorps to these impossible growth standards? Usually some combination of the same handful of investment firms and/or banks- Vanguard, Blackrock, etc. And even some of the 'smaller' brands not owned by larger megacorporations are also held by those investment firms. It's getting increasingly difficult to any ethical consumption in this world.

[@rc1387]

Thank you for all the research and effort you put into this video. It's easy to just consume and not think about how manipulated we are as consumers. Never thought about who was behind the KAB campaign. It also makes it so hard to exist in a way that is sustainable or avoid supporting these companies with our dollars or in other ways like supporting content creators on this platform. YT gets ad revenue from many of these corps. Moving up the chain, G owns many companies that likely have their hand in practices that may not be ethical or sustainable, and same is true of Alphabet. The cars we drive, the technology we use, the data and content we consume, the food we buy, all help to support things we may not want to. Therefore it makes it so challenging for real change to happen - when fighting the system means using the very system to spread the word or even just survive. I hope your videos continue to open eyes and would definitely love to see an essay on ESG.

[@africacordova1756]

Shelby! You should release these video essays as podcasts too! It would become a commuting staple for me ;)

[@kelseybrintnall2080]

I would watch the hell out of a podcast if she started one

[@jennycobb6912]

this this this, please! would brach out to more people too :)

[@bhsprinkle]

Frustrating to say the least. Smaller businesses selling out to large conglomerates is devastating especially where they don't keep the brand's main incentives that aren't as harmful as their new ownership.

[@yasmeentarek1221]

Thank you for this informative video. Due to the recent political climate I've started being more mindful about the backgrounds of brands and boycotting many of these huge brands because of their support of the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Looks like I'll be following in your footsteps and supporting brands that aren't owned by a parent company, or just sticking to local brands.

[@allovertheplacejess]

I love you. Started watching back in zero waste times and this content on consumerism and the bigger picture is such good stuff for the average person to learn ❤

[@ARachelB]

It’s wild I looked into some of my skincare that I use and never would have thought Tatcha is owned by Unilever. This video was so valuable

[@phyliciajoykloes]

Oooooofff, wow. I am so mad at these big corporations and how difficult it is for us consumers to keep them accountable. Governments don't work along either. Great video, Shelbi. I learned that a lot of companies I liked to support, the body shop and bird's bees, aren't as green as they appear to be since they're a part of a bigger corporation. Ugh... capitalism...

[@the.haeggis]

This is so important! I have often wondered the same thing. Just to be safe I have decided to not support brands that sold out to big corporations if I can avoid it. And if there are no other options, I tend to consider if I actually need this thing.That corporations are now considered people are WILD omfg.

[@dklee.01]

as soon as i heard “my partner Madison” i subscribed 😭 we need more people like you deep diving into supply chains and tracking these business practices. I do it out of curiosity but I think it’s something people should start getting accustomed to doing. Research !!

[@lauriescozycorner]

The same with pet food. Family own company is selling out like crazy to parent companies. 😭

[@KkayC12]

Excellent video! Really appreciate all of the research you put into this. I find all of this disturbing and frustrating. I absolutely refuse to step into a Whole Foods store even though everyone around me raves about it. I wish more people would realize that we as consumers can make a difference if we purchase from companies that truly care about making a positive impact on the well-being of people, communities, and the environment.

[@sara61696]

Such an important topic that I haven’t really seen talked about so much

[@thechrissyhazel]

There are very few brands that have 1. High quality good for you products 2. Treat people really well and empower people in vulnerable communities 3. Actively working to care for the earth and be sustainable A few of my favs that tick off all the bird: 1. Dignity Coconuts coconut oil 2. PurDate Sugar 3. Carthage Co 4. Tahmina Tea 5. Elegantees

[@MOMOHEARTS]

This is why i try to stick local or companies that havnt sold their soul yet lol

[@downearth48]

The KABA issue reminds me of a sign I've seen from Duke Energy, famous for coal ash spills, telling visitors of NC state parks to pick up after themselves 🙃

[@katyhouglum2021]

This video was SO good. Thank you for all the time and attention you take. I’d love more like this.

[@nataliawineland34]

I love these kinds of videos!!! Thank you so much for helping to keep us informed

[@adrianaraats5122]

Thank you so much for this video! I was wondering if you had any recommendations on methods to find out if companies we love have a parent company? I'd love to do some of my own research but I have no idea where to start finding some of that information.

[@Shelbizleee]

typically you can just Google "who owns xyz" and it comes up!

[@lyndabethcave3835]

A lot of them will have logos or parent company info on the packaging too. Like my Harvest Crunch which is from Quaker says "PepsiCo" just above the address. Lots of personal care/beauty products will show the Unilever logo.

[@carissatripp3347]

This is so interesting and something I've also wondered about a lot! Thank you for doing all the research!

[@DaphneYuille]

This video was incredibly well done. Thank you so much, Shelbi! I try to explain a lot of these things to people I know, and I am so glad to see you spreading the word! I would love to see more videos like this!

[@lovism6590]

Could you please do a deep dive on rainforest alliance? I was surprised to hear you say that was a good, reliable mark of sustainability a while ago because when I looked in to them (quite a few years ago though) they seemed quite hollow. When you mentioned Unilever mistreating tea workers it made me think of one Unilever’s biggest tea brands - Lipton, that has the rainforest alliance logo. Please enlighten us :)

[@locker127]

Dr offices are also difficult when it comes to being bought out. A pediatric office I worked at got bought and a Dr office my family personally goes to recently got bought out. It's hard because the one we go to has changed their online system and there are so many more employees. It used to be a small office with a Dr, practitioner, 2 nurses, 2 front desk, manager, biller. Now about 4-5 more employees when we go. These changes haven't made anything better or faster

[@kale4761]

I watched The Food That Built America (it's on Hulu) and it was wild to see how companies/products with humble beginnings turned into things like McDonalds, Hershey's, Coca-Cola etc. It showed the societal implications of these conglomerates, albeit still from a pro American point of view, but with that in mind I highly recommend!

[@8rainbowcaterpillar]

THIS! just started but this is why being a biz girly is tough to balance

[@Maykono1]

This video is so informative ! It should be watched in schools. This is public service. Thank you Shelbie!

[@baileymadison9019]

I was so sad when L. was bought by P&G. Now they are basically Tampax and Always with different packaging and a higher price tag.

[@tanascristina9794]

The government should play a role in that and regulate it. In Germany for example they did introduce the pfand (the small amount of money that you pay upfront and can get back when you bring the empty plastic and glass bottles to the store) and yes, even Coca Cola is participating in it. There should be legislation for it, the government should take the initiative and the US government is rotten.

[@ak-no2wo]

Thank you for this very educational video!! Over the years you have honestly mobilized so so many people into looking behind the scenes, being conscious of their purchases but also the companies that end up controlling so much of our lives. I started watching you in high school and you were my main educator on all of these topics, and now I’m nearing the end of college and dedicated to climate activism, only purchase consciously, and plan to work to deconstruct all of this madness!!

[@MarioSandoval-z7b]

Love your videos. You really make me want to be a better human without making me feel bad about not being 100% eco friendly. I take all your information to heart and implement it into my everyday life.

[@silksensei]

This is probably one of my favorite videos you’ve put out… Would love to see you talk more about company’s relationship w meeting those ESG percentages

[@alexmcginness8859]

I’ve been wondering about this for YEARS. Thank you for the breakdown!

[@ronja_kkat]

FIY: The Body Shop is NOT under L'Oréal anymore!

[@jordancraig5204]

Love this topic! Seen too many brands get bought out and then immediately shut down :( Hubert's Lemonade comes to mind when they got sold to coke a cola and now you can't get it anywhere in stores

[@anapena9244]

Omg this is WILD!! Thank you for making this bc I had no idea some of those were under evil parent companies 😮 please please continue doing these style of videos bc I love to learn more and bring this info to discuss in my EJ class or with my peers or with my partner or whomever. These are so invaluable, thank you!!

[@kalypsodeepsea982]

Glad to know that my bar soap, shampoo and conditioner aren't part of this. The big brands really take everything over, and it's hard not to buy anything that they own.

[@mags7432]

ALL OF THEM! I honestly don't know why i'm crying listening to this, your passion came thru with this video.

[@kathryncryts5537]

Thank you so much for making this video!

[@EmL-kg5gn]

Thank you for explaining this. I’ve often wondered how much we could do if we weren’t so preoccupied with individual actions like voting with our dollar? There must be a reason these companies encourage individual action. It’s definitely good to buy ethically when we know we can! Like at a local business or from local farmers. But I can’t be the only one that’s agonised over which soap to buy for what turned into hours, how much more effective work could I have done instead?

[@denden798]

I think lots of people should get into government and law, but her videos often go to people with other careers. Activism and advocacy are the answer for those people in addition to boycotting

[@xLolitaxRagxDollx]

I love this deep-dive video essay format! And I'd love a video on ESGs! Thank you for doing all the research and helping to educate us! Would it be possible for you to start a blog or something along the lines of "Shelbizleee's List" or "Shelbizleee Approved" where you just list the brands in each category you've done the research into and support and why you support them (as well as where we can find them - like is it Target or Online-only and what site?)? It could be a quick reference for your followers for the brands to look out for when shopping for our essentials!

[@olivia16966]

This video is one I had to watch in two stages, for good and bad reasons. I live in the UK, which has a much smaller market of brands and options as opposed to the US. A lot of brands and products we have here are bought up very quickly by bigger brands that it’s almost impossible to find ones that are run with good intentions and run sustainably. I think it’s very interesting that a lot of brands have agreed to these sales to large conglomerate companies such as the Burtz Bees story, which I had no idea about and was extremely interesting to know! This may be a long shot and may be hard to describe but I believe that people are becoming much less smart (I don’t want to use the word stupid) Back when technology and instant demand via consumerism was not available, if for instance you made a chair, and that chair broke, it would be much easier for it to be repaired than it would be to obtain a brand new chair, as it would be a lot more expensive in effort and price to find the new material to replace it. Now we can simply make a purchase online and a replacement will be there the next day. As these smaller brands are being bought out by bigger brands, I can only imagine the scenario where they are offered a substantial amount of money where there is probably not a lot known about the buyer company by the seller company, and as soon as they sell the company, the knowledge surrounding everything that company has ever done is lost! We now have to go searching through this massive labyrinth of information that is covered by back doors and hidden behind legal jargon, which ironically we have to use the internet and technology that we purchased through a massive conglomerate to even do the research! It’s an endless cycle! We now have no idea what we are even buying or what has happened for it to even become available to us. As I said this video was hard to watch for good and bad reasons. Good because it was so informative and you can really see how massive the scale of this is but also Bad because, I especially feel like this as I live in the UK, because it makes you feel like nothing you are going to be able to do in this lifetime is going to be enough, that you are going to make a difference if these massive conglomerates can undo your whole life’s mission of reducing waste, carbon footprint, saving the whole planet with one purchase of a smaller company just for them to pump the market for another useless product. I really do struggle these days with the world we live in as I sometimes feel like there is no hope for us or the future and that we should just live to the fullest because it’s not going to change. It’s really hard to stick to ethics and morales when there is a lot outweighing us. That makes me incredibly sad and disappointed in us. I hope that there is a way we can change things because soon it won’t just be us saying it’s too late, it will be.

[@lyndsey268]

Thank you for making these types of videos! They’re always a reminder that I can do better and be better! 💚

[@jbone877]

Bout 6 minutes in, and really enjoying the video so far. Thanks for your work!

[@kaitlynd9382]

Thanks Shelbi! My favorite video essay yet. I learned a lot.

[@ruthfoley]

Hiya, I live in Ireland and I’m wondering how do I go about “ investigating “ Irish brands to make sure they are sustainable and not owned by a parent company etc??

[@sustainablegremlin]

Little Seed Farm makes deoderant and I can't recommend them enough! They aren't owned by any large corporations (yet) and it actually works so well for both my wife and I. Also I love the scents.

[@TheHoldsworths]

And that "crying Indian " is Italian ! Not only did they pass the responsibility to individuals for pollution, but they added to the negation of valuation of actual Indigenous people's on turtle Island

[@NowayJose14]

Girl this research is top tier, thank you for this

[@immadoll42]

This was one of my favorite videos that I've seen you do in a while! It's obvious you are passionate and knowledgeable. Thank you for putting this out into the world!!! ESG next, please!

[@CheeryClaudia]

Your videos are always so insightful!

[@CathyHobbs-k3f]

Great info. I loved it and felt like I was back in my environmental ethics class :) I'd love to see a partial list of some of the brands that are still small and doing it as good as they can given all the great obstacles around small business. Thanks for your research and time to put this together. I'd personally enjoy more videos like this. Knowledge is powerful. -Cathy

[@alexmcginness8859]

Dr bronners is local to where I live! Love seeing a San Diego brand thrive 👏🏼

[@heatherhoneyy]

Texas has a lot of propositions on the ballot this year! Don’t forget to early vote!

[@bella.h7961]

Super informative video! Thank you so much for researching all these issues, I will be taking a harder look into what brands I want to support going forward

[@user-oz1pw8jr7s]

Dawn dish washing liquid is also very deceiving. The little duck. "We help wildlife after an oil spill." Then they redesign the bottle with a heavier plastic lid. I must admit, I am having a hard time learning to use a bar dish soap I picked up from a farmers market. I will not give up and will keep trying. But there is also a refillery near me. I am taking in my old dawn container (never have bought the new design) and fill up with the liquid dish washing soap from the refillery.

[@avacurtis2729]

Why are so many brands being bought by univiler. It hurts my soul. Seventh generation is one of the only sustainable brands I can find at Kroger (my local grocery store)

[@Amyjwashere]

Sorry unilever also owns them.

[@Shelbizleee]

Unilever essentially owns everything on the shelves at big box stores it is WILD

[@avacurtis2729]

@@Shelbizleee ugh I just hate it so much because when I purchase online things tend to come in a ton of packaging. Also I have to go through my dorm mail room which sometimes loses my packages 😢

[@AlicedeTerre]

You’re doing the best you can! Sometimes we only have so many choices depending on where we are in life. It took me many more years after uni before I was able to make more sustainable choices.

[@albiesspace]

This is excellent. It took me watching it in two parts because I wanted to focus and that might anger the algorithm so to contribute to another way to gauge success I'm expressing my appreciation in this way 🎉

[@nexx410]

It so hard. I always try to buy locally whatever I can.

[@seanmartinflix]

Completely agree with you... I want to say this is a great video.. And you did say. But I feel it needs to be driven home. Is that they are legally obliged to do what they can to make their stocks go up in order to stay valuable for the stockholders. "Doing what is best for the Stockholders". And because the way people invest nowadays that means more profits in any way necessary.. Love the attitude love the personality great videos new subscriber.

[@AnandaAtHome]

Great video, Shelbi. I thought Myoko was ambushed and bought out recently.

[@cristinabottger1509]

Thank you so much for using your platform to inform about this topics