Common Soles

Common Soles has launched its first line of Indian-made flip-flops that will help fund education in the village where they’re made. The stylish footwear comes in five varieties (all of which are women’s), and 4 percent of the money from each pair sold goes to buy school books for the factory workers’ kids in Vijayawada, India. This equals to about $1 per pair going to the good cause.

“The workers know that each pair sold directly benefits their children, so they are proud to be making these flip-flops for us, and we are proud to be selling them!” Dave Mesicek, Common Soles’ co-founder, said in a statement.

While Common Soles isn’t alone in donating part of its sales to good causes, the company, which formed earlier this year, is unique in that it donates money directly to the people who make the footwear. Mesicek and co-founder Rao Naraharasetty want to open factories in Latin America, Eastern Europe and the U.S. in hopes of making a direct connection between factory workers and the end customer.

The five styles of Common Soles’ Saahi flip-flops, which are designed for everyday use and have a non-skid synthetic sole, are currently available for $25. www.commonsoles.com

—Ryan Dionne