HHP Lift
HHP Lift is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise that sells hand-crafted, sustainable artisanal products (candles, soaps, bags, homeware) through DTC e-commerce, wholesale, corporate B2B, and events, while operating the LiftWorks workforce development program and sourcing from fair-trade artisan partners across 8+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What HHP Lift does
HHP Lift (HHPLift) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise founded in 2007 in Chicago by Michael Arkes. The company sells hand-crafted, sustainably sourced artisanal products—including soy candles, soaps, bath salts, spa sets, bags, homeware, and gourmet food/drink—through a Shopify-based DTC storefront, a wholesale portal for retail buyers, a corporate B2B sales channel offering branded solutions and incentives, and event-driven sales including wedding favors and corporate candle parties. It is the exclusive US distributor of Smateria, a Cambodian brand making bags from recycled netting, and sources additional artisan-made products from fair-trade partners across 8+ countries including India, Guatemala, Ecuador, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.
The business operates five distinct distribution channels: the promotional products industry, high-end boutiques, retail shops, corporations, and direct-to-consumer. Pricing spans $5.50 for small candles to $110+ for premium bags, with free shipping on orders over $150 and a flat $2 fee per customized candle. Multiple charitable collections (AKR, Twist Out Cancer, Weber Family Arts Foundation) commit 30% of consumer sales to nonprofit partners, functioning as both cause-marketing and revenue-sharing arrangements. The technology layer is limited to Shopify e-commerce with a custom candle personalization configurator; no proprietary platform, AI/ML capabilities, or APIs are disclosed.
The core operational differentiator is the LiftWorks Program, a workforce development initiative providing jobs, training, mentorship, and holistic support for people overcoming barriers to fair-wage employment in Chicago communities. The company holds B Corp certification (since 2012), 501(c)(3) status (since 2014), and Society Profits social enterprise certification. Leadership comprises President & CEO Dena Hirschberg (since 2018), Founder Michael Arkes, CFO Lala Abasova, and a team of approximately 20-30 members supported by an Associate Board. No funding rounds, acquisitions, or institutional investors are disclosed.
HHP Lift firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HHP Lift
- Legal name
- HHPLift
- Website
- https://hhplift.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- HHP Lift is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise that sells hand-crafted, sustainable artisanal products (candles, soaps, bags, homeware) through DTC e-commerce, wholesale, corporate B2B, and events, while operating the LiftWorks workforce development program and sourcing from fair-trade artisan partners across 8+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HHP Lift industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainable Artisanal Consumer Goods
- NAICS
- Clothing and Clothing Accessories Merchant Wholesalers (42435)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Misc Durable Goods (5090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Trade Show Giveaways & Event Premiums (BPAFAMAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Scented Candles & Wax Melts (Home Fragrance) (CRAJAEAD), Personalized & Custom Gift Creation (Engraving/Monogramming/Photo Gifts) (HSACANAC)
Keywords
Where HHP Lift is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
HHP Lift business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Retail sales through hhplift.com Shopify storefront. Products include bath & spa, candles, bags, accessories, homeware, food & drink. Average transaction values range from $5-$150+ per product.
- Wholesale: Wholesale channel for retail store buyers purchasing Smateria bags, candles, and other products for resale.
- Corporate B2B / Promotional Products: Branded solutions for corporations, incentives/rewards programs, kitting & assembly. Corporate experiences and private events including candle parties for team building and celebrations.
- Charitable Donations & Partnerships: 30% of consumer sales from specific collections (AKR Collection, Twist Out Cancer, Weber Family Arts Foundation) donated to partner nonprofits. Creates co-branded social impact products driving customer engagement.
- Event Sales: Wedding favors and event products, corporate party experiences, custom candle making events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard retail pricing for individual consumers |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Wholesale pricing for retail store buyers |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Corporate B2B / Custom orders |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
HHP Lift product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HHP Lift sells sustainably sourced, handcrafted artisanal products—primarily soy candles, soaps, bath salts and spa sets produced in Chicago under its LiftWorks program, plus bags and accessories, homeware, tabletop goods, bamboo products, and gourmet food and drink sourced from a global network of social enterprise and fair-trade artisan partners. It monetizes these goods across five channels: direct-to-consumer e-commerce, wholesale to boutiques and retail shops, corporate B2B branded solutions and incentives, custom candle personalization, and event-based sales including corporate candle parties and wedding favors. The company also donates 30% of sales from three named charitable collections to partner nonprofits.
Product overview
HHPLift is a nonprofit social enterprise and one-stop shop for sustainably sourced, artisanal social impact products. The core product portfolio centers on Lift™ Bath and Spa (soy candles, soaps, bath salts, spa sets handcrafted in Chicago), the exclusive-in-US Smateria bags collection (fashion-forward accessories from recycled materials in Cambodia), EcoLIFT™ homeware (products upcycled from plastic waste in India), Garden Gourmet candles and canvas tabletop accessories, and the Bamboo Collection (home goods from the Philippines). The company also operates multiple charitable collections—including the AKR Collection (30% to ovarian cancer research/child literacy), Twist Out Cancer Collection (30% to cancer support through creative arts), and UnBroken Collection (30% to the Weber Family Arts Foundation)—alongside a Custom Candle personalization service, wedding favors program, and the LiftWorks™ workforce development program. B2B offerings include branded corporate solutions, incentives, and retail programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LiftWorks™: A workforce development program dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for people in disinvested communities in Chicago through dignified jobs paying livable wages with benefits, education, professional development, and customized career paths.
- EcoLIFT™
- Twist Out Cancer Collection
- Amy Krouse Rosenthal (AKR) Collection
- UnBroken Collection
Products and services
- Lift Bath and Spa Luxury bath and spa goods including soy candles, soaps, bath salts, and spa sets in various scents (Classic Lift, Beach Lift, Holiday Lift, Garden Gourmet), handcrafted locally in Chicago by people overcoming barriers to fair wage employment through the LiftWorks Program.
- Smateria Bags & Accessories Fashion-forward bags and accessories made from 100% repurposed and recycled materials (primarily fishing and construction netting, upcycled vegan leather, recycled plastic bags). HHP Lift is the exclusive US supplier. Includes purses, crossbodies, totes, backpacks, messenger bags, wallets, clutches, and travel accessories.
- EcoLIFT Homeware Home and kitchen products made from upcycled difficult-to-recycle and non-biodegradable waste (plastic bags, snack packages, vinyl banners, balloons, audio cassette tapes) by artisans in Pune, India. Includes plant pots, totes, and placemats.
- Garden Gourmet Fruit- and botanical-inspired soy candles and canvas tabletop accessories (placemats, coasters, trivets) featuring watercolor and oil pastel artwork. Handcrafted in Chicago and by fair trade artisans in India.
- Bamboo Collection Home goods sourced from a social enterprise in the Philippines, including French coffee presses, cheeseboards, chopping boards, tumblers, notebooks, travel mugs, and coffee mugs made from sustainable bamboo.
- Lift Gourmet Food & Drink Socially responsible food and beverage products including granola (supports refugee job training), gourmet nuts (made by people of all abilities), tea (packaged by refugees with 10% of sales donated), and ethically sourced coffee.
- AKR Collection (Amy Krouse Rosenthal) Bath and spa products (spa sets, bath salts, soaps, soy candles) with 30% of consumer sales donated to The Amy Krouse Rosenthal Foundation for ovarian cancer research and child literacy programs.
- Twist Out Cancer Collection Bath and spa products featuring artwork inspired by cancer survival stories from the Brushes with Cancer program. 30% of consumer sales are donated to Twist Out Cancer, an international nonprofit providing psychosocial support through creative arts programming.
- UnBroken Collection (Weber Family Arts Foundation) Bath salts, hand-etched candles, and travel candles with 30% of consumer sales donated to The Weber Family Arts Foundation, which combats antisemitism and hate through the arts and honors survivors of the Holocaust.
- Custom Candle Program (Custom Lift) Customization service allowing customers to upload images and add personalized text to 4 oz. soy candles. A flat $2 fee per candle applies for personalization, with typical production time of 10 business days.
- Wedding & Event Favors Custom wedding and event favors including candles, votives, soaps, and spa sets with customizable colors, fonts, band colors, lids, and labels. Includes custom etching on glass orders of 50+ pieces.
- B2B / Corporate Solutions (Branded Solutions, Incentives, Kitting & Assembly, Corporate Experiences) Branded corporate merchandise solutions, incentives/rewards/recognition programs, kitting and assembly services, and corporate experiences (including candle parties) for businesses seeking purpose-driven products and engagement activities.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30% of sales donated to partner nonprofits (AKR Foundation, Twist Out Cancer, Weber Family Arts Foundation)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use HHP Lift
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
HHP Lift technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
HHP Lift partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- SmateriaflagshipExclusive US supplier of Smateria products - Cambodian social enterprise transforming recycled netting and materials into fashion-forward bags. Smateria provides artisans with free healthcare, free daycare, and 13-month annual salary. HHPLift serves as sole US distributor.
- EcoKaaricoreSocial enterprise in Pune, India upcycling difficult-to-recycle waste (plastic bags, snack packages, vinyl banners, balloons, cassette tapes) into handwoven fabric and products. Employs 84+ artisans. Production uses no harsh chemicals, minimal electricity, and manages water use.
- Amy Krouse Rosenthal FoundationcoreHHPLift donates 30% of consumer sales from AKR Collection to the foundation supporting ovarian cancer research and child literacy programs. Collection features Art by Jason products.
- Twist Out CancercoreInternational nonprofit providing psychosocial support to cancer survivors through creative arts programming. HHPLift donates 30% of consumer sales from Twist Out Cancer collection featuring artwork inspired by cancer survival stories.
- Weber Family Arts FoundationcoreEstablished 2023 foundation combating antisemitism through arts. HHPLift donates 30% of UnBroken Collection sales to support education that inspires Upstanders. Collection includes candles and bath salts.
- Growing HomeminorSocial enterprise urban farm in Englewood neighborhood, Chicago. Weekly partnership brings healthy community lunch for HHPLift team members.
- Guatemala Indigenous Women's CooperativecoreFair trade partner transforming lives of indigenous women through traditional weaving techniques. Provides sustainable livelihoods, microloans, financial literacy, and education programs.
- India Artisan NetworkcoreFair trade partner founded 1986 creating sustainable livelihoods for artisans. Supports with fair wages 10-15% above local, long-term business investment, health and education initiatives. Products include jewelry, leather goods, metal items from recycled materials.
- Ecuador Artisan GroupscoreFair trade organization providing tools for artisans creating jewelry from natural materials (nuts, seeds) sustainably sourced from Ecuadorian rainforests. Artisans receive health insurance, free lunch, social security, and interest-free loans.
- Philippines Bamboo Social EnterprisecoreSocial enterprise in Philippines using bamboo to solve plastic pollution and rural poverty. Bamboo is sustainable, easily grown, and absorbs carbon. Products include French coffee presses, boards, tumblers, notebooks, and travel mugs.
- Kenya Artisan OrganizationminorFair trade organization started as center for children with disabilities providing therapy and medical care. Creates job opportunities for mothers through handcrafted recycled products. Served approximately 50 families with special needs children and 230 families with neurological conditions.
- Sri Lanka Physical Disability WorkshopminorFair trade workshop founded by polio survivor Sena (first lawyer and politician in Sri Lanka to use wheelchair) providing equal opportunities for disabled artisans creating products from recycled materials.
- Illinois Disability Services OrganizationminorSocial enterprise partner providing job opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities through baked goods (cookies, chocolate covered items, toffee, bark, dog treats, gift baskets).
- Chicago Veterans Coffee RoasterminorSocial enterprise providing job opportunities and social services for homeless and unemployed veterans. Coffee company teaching veterans to roast coffee and providing housing, daycare, and daily expense support.
- Society ProfitscoreSocial enterprise certification organization. HHPLift certified through Society Profits demonstrating social enterprise credentials and impact measurement.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
HHP Lift competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Little Market: Nonprofit e-commerce marketplace specializing in fairly traded artisan goods made by global maker partners. Closely comparable mission (humanitarian impact), product categories (bags, accessories, home goods), and customer segment (conscious consumers).
- SERRV International: Nonprofit fair-trade organization selling handcrafted artisan products through online and catalog channels. Shares the social enterprise structure, artisan partner network model, and gift/home goods product mix with HHPLift.
- Global Goods Partners: Nonprofit social enterprise partnering with artisan groups in disadvantaged communities to sell handmade products. Directly comparable impact model and artisan-sourced product categories (bags, accessories, home decor).
- Ten Thousand Villages: Nonprofit fair-trade retailer selling handcrafted artisan products from global maker partners. Operates both e-commerce and retail stores, with a similar multi-channel artisan product model and comparable mission-aligned consumer base.
- Prosperity Candle: Social enterprise producing hand-poured candles made by refugees and artisans facing employment barriers. Closely comparable in candles/soaps product line, social enterprise model, and workforce development mission.
- NOVICA (formerly National Geographic Novica): Online marketplace connecting global artisans with consumers, offering handcrafted home decor, jewelry, and accessories with social impact storytelling. Comparable DTC channel, artisan product categories, and impact narrative.
Broad incumbents
- Allbirds: Public mission-driven consumer brand using sustainable materials with strong social impact narrative. Comparable brand-building playbook around sustainability and conscious consumer positioning, though operating at significantly larger scale.
- Patagonia: Established mission-driven apparel/outdoor brand using recycled and sustainable materials with 1% for the Planet commitment. Comparable on sustainability storytelling, recycled-material product positioning, and purpose-driven brand identity.
- Etsy (Impact/Earth-Friendly vertical): Broad e-commerce marketplace hosting many artisan and impact-oriented sellers, including candles, bags, and home goods. Comparable on artisan sourcing model and consumer segment, though Etsy is a marketplace rather than a single curated brand.
Emerging players
- Beeswax Wrap Co. Sustainable home goods brand with social impact and natural materials focus. Comparable in mission-driven positioning and sustainable home goods product category, though narrower in scope (food wraps).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HHP Lift social profiles
Digital presenceHHP Lift compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
HHP Lift financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HHP Lift leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
HHP Lift funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HHP Lift M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HHP Lift
What does HHP Lift do?
HHP Lift sells sustainably sourced, handcrafted artisanal products—primarily soy candles, soaps, bath salts and spa sets produced in Chicago under its LiftWorks program, plus bags and accessories, homeware, tabletop goods, bamboo products, and gourmet food and drink sourced from a global network of social enterprise and fair-trade artisan partners. It monetizes these goods across five channels: direct-to-consumer e-commerce, wholesale to boutiques and retail shops, corporate B2B branded solutions and incentives, custom candle personalization, and event-based sales including corporate candle parties and wedding favors. The company also donates 30% of sales from three named charitable collections to partner nonprofits.
Is HHP Lift a public or private company?
HHP Lift is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was HHP Lift founded?
HHP Lift was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is HHP Lift based?
HHP Lift is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does HHP Lift make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce is the primary driver. The others are wholesale, corporate B2B / Promotional Products, charitable Donations & Partnerships and event Sales.
Who are HHP Lift's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Little Market, SERRV International, Global Goods Partners, Ten Thousand Villages, Prosperity Candle and NOVICA (formerly National Geographic Novica). Broad incumbents are Allbirds, Patagonia and Etsy (Impact/Earth-Friendly vertical). Beeswax Wrap Co. is listed as an emerging player.
Does HHP Lift have an API?
No public API is recorded for HHP Lift.
What industry is HHP Lift in?
HHP Lift's product category is Sustainable Artisanal Consumer Goods. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFAMAG, Trade Show Giveaways & Event Premiums, with a secondary code of CRAJAEAD, Scented Candles & Wax Melts (Home Fragrance). Its NAICS code is 42435 and its SIC code is 5090.