Why I Am No Longer Supporting My Favorite Planner Companies

Updated 6/20/2020- see below

If you’re feeling like I am, these past few weeks have been almost a stereotype of the “roller coaster” ride of emotions. After months in quarantine, we saw our country grapple with the effects of racial injustice.

In the prior week’s post, I wrote about the books that I have on my reading list to learn more about racism and my role, as a white woman, in this broken system. I also began learning about the systemic racism plaguing our nation that, in addition to physical violence, have a negative financial impact on minorities and minority-owned businesses.

So once again, I began researching ways to help, including supporting Black businesses, both in my community and online. I’m in no way done with this research, so I’m going to keep at it and perhaps report back when I’ve collected more resources to share.

I thought I had an article ready to go

I wasn’t worried, though, about having something to write about this week. You see, I had written a post before the nationwide protests that I decided not to publish last week given how trivial it was compared to what was taking place at that time.

I have this blog, and while it’s not a big platform (just a few of you all tune in every week), I thought I would use it for something more meaningful. And, I’m so glad I did the research for that post- I am on my library’s waiting list for a couple of those titles and truly intend to work my way through them. I hope you all found them helpful too!

That said, the article I had already written was one that I said I would post both in this prior entry and on my Instagram (“IG”) feed – @planonthesunrise. Not only had I received my box of goodies, I have been excited to share this product review since the moment I started this blog. The title was going to be “Why a 17-month Academic Year Planner Works Best for this Full-Time Working Mom.”

See? Trivial. But, when I wrote the piece a couple of weeks ago, it was at a time when planner companies were launching their academic-year calendars and some companies were selling 17-month versions. I had it all typed out- all the reasons to considering purchasing that type of planner, and why the one I use, made by Ban.do, is the best.

Unlike planner manufacturers like Erin Condren, Emily Ley, and Franklin-Covey, whose primary products are their planners, Ban.do has a much more varied product line. In fact, planners represent a relatively small portion of the merchandise they sell. It’s more of a lifestyle brand that sells clothing, accessories, home décor, and wellness products along with its stationary line.

I found their planners 5 years ago, well before I became a multiple planner user, when I was initially researching which planner I should buy. It was consistently listed as a fun and practical option, and one that is filled with original art by numerous female artists, as they tout, from around the world.

I ordered the planner, and it was everything I was looking for to keep me organized, but in a fun way. I have been a loyal customer ever since, and have encouraged others to buy them as well.

After I made my first purchase, I began receiving their email ads. Over the years, they focused increasingly on mental health, self-care, and female empowerment, which is right in line with my personal philosophy. They also claimed to focus on diversity and inclusivity.

So, this weekend, I took another look at my Ban.do planner review article and was deciding whether it was too soon to publish it when I ran across some posts on my Instagram feed about Ban.do (@shopbando) and its founder, Jen Gotch (@jengotch). Like many companies who are responding to calls for racial equity awareness, they were pledging to listen and learn.

What caught my attention was another post where the company listed six steps they promised to take in the name of promoting minority causes and the most recent post (see below), which stated that their founder was taking a leave of absence because of the hurt she caused. It was all so cryptic, though. I couldn’t really tell what happened to make the founder leave and the company issue such an apology.

View this post on Instagram

We can do better. Here are our next steps.

A post shared by ban.do (@shopbando) on Jun 5, 2020 at 8:24pm PDT

What I found out is that this company, that had promoted an image of empowering women and promoting diversity, was founded by a woman who made blatantly racist statements and fostered a work environment that was hostile to anyone who questioned the racist atmosphere upper management created.

To say I was shocked and disappointed was an understatement. I felt like such a fool. I was almost in denial at first- what about all the talk of diversity? And the female artists from around the world that make the planner so fun and beautiful? How could this be the same company?

After I got over the initial shock, I knew what I had to do. I want to make sure that going forward I am doing all I can to ensure that I’m supporting businesses that engage in ethical practices and support the values I believe in.

As such, I am letting Ban.do go. I’m in no way reviewing or endorsing their products, I have removed photos of their products from my Instagram feed, and I’m currently looking for planner and stationary products from Black-owned businesses.

Update- Please keep reading to see why I have no added Erin Condren to the list of companies I will not be endorsing.

Some of the lessons I’ve learned-

I have learned a lot in these past few days after uncovering what led up to the apologetic IG posts and the (temporary?) stepping down of Ban.do’s founder and Chief Creative Officer (and now Erin Condren). These are the standouts:

Confused about a social media post? Check the comments. I’m probably the last person in the world to have figured this out. But, in my defense, I’m not really all that experienced with social media. I started a blog as an online journal that I figured I would share in the hopes it would help others. Because one way to share your content is through social media, I am starting to use it more. But, I’m still a novice as I only use it to scroll through posts and to share my own. What I learned this week is that when you want to know what’s behind an Instagram post, scroll through the comments. Buried in the comments of the Ban.do change of leadership announcement, I found posts from other IG accounts that provided more context to the story. Follow the trail, and you’ll get answers.

Below is the post that revealed the issues at Ban.do.

View this post on Instagram

This is my account of my time working with @jengotch at @shopbando the slides that follow my statement are one recent conversation (though I hear more have messaged her now) in which my friend and former co-worked tried to hold Jen/ Ban.do accountable and was met with an evasive response. Following that conversation is a company email exchange when employees at Ban.do asked for more diverse and size inclusive models for their campaigns and were again met with evasive responses.

A post shared by Gabriella Sanchez 👹 (@blaaankblaaankblaaank) on Jun 4, 2020 at 1:29pm PDT

Not everything that sparkles is made of gold. I know she’s not the original author, but my grandmother used to say that. Looking back on my impression of this company, it became clear that I had been taken in by the outward appearance of this pink and shiny, girl-power company only to find out that there were some incredibly unhealthy and unacceptable practices going on behind the scenes. Like much of what is enshrined in systemic racism, I based my opinions solely on the basis of what was on the outside. And, companies are rarely going to publicly announce their harmful practices. So, relying on just the image they’re choosing to project is no way to evaluate their values. Which, brings me to my next point-

Research companies before buying their products. I’m ashamed to admit that it never occurred to me to independently research a company like this to see if its values were in line with my own. At first, I comforted myself by saying, how could I have known? However, in the comments were some other IG commentators who revealed that had I just looked up the company’s reviews on Glassdoor.com, I would have discovered these problems well over a year ago. After a quick search, I found that, in addition to Glassdoor.com, you can also research companies through their own company blogs, their LinkedIn profiles, and by running a search on Google News, which has since reported the issues at Ban.do and other companies.

Now I know better

I have talked with some folks about how badly I feel about having supported a company that engaged in such toxic and hurtful corporate practices. And, I was encouraged to give myself some grace. (Yup, there’s that word again.)

I did not know to research companies beyond the quality of their products. I bought the hype – the inclusive and empowering hype—and contributed to a problem that is only now really getting the attention it deserves.

However, I am no longer ignorant. Now armed with this knowledge, I will not be buying from this company. Keep in mind, that is not because I am an unforgiving person or that I don’t think people can change.

Based on what I have learned about Ban.do, I do not believe that one person stepping down is an effective remedy when so many current and former employees have indicated the company’s racist tendencies extend beyond its founder to many who are still working there. I would need to see some really significant changes over the long-term to even consider giving them a second chance.

As the wise poet, dancer, (the list goes on) Maya Angelou once said, “ . . . when you know better, do better.” I’m done beating myself up for not having figured out how to uncover Ban.do’s ugly corporate culture. But, I now know better and will be doing better when it comes to which company I give my business.

Update– June 20, 2020

Since I wrote this article, I learned that another planner company I loved and supported has had issues with its founder engaging in behaviors that show both a reckless disregard for public health regulations and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Erin Condren, her children, and other families at their high school took an end-run around those regulations by registering a high school graduation “march” (a/k/a party) as a protest- inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, whose supporters recently have been granted permission to assemble- a right that derives from the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Here is a link to the article that appeared to glorify this “new tradition.” Not only were the students not social distancing or wearing masks, they undermined the significance of racial justice protests by equating their desire for a party to the actions of those in our community who are fighting for equality, and many times, their lives.

Since the news broke, the company’s CEO (Erin Condren is not the CEO) has issued a statement condemning this behavior and promising that the company will do better. And, Erin Condren recently issued this statement:

View this post on Instagram

From our Founder.

A post shared by Erin Condren Design (@erincondren) on Jun 20, 2020 at 9:02am PDT

It appears this is not the first time Erin Condren has behaved offensively. However, for her past offenses, no apologies were issued and there are reports that comments criticizing these behaviors were deleted. I discovered a lot by reading what was posted here (follow the comments as well):

View this post on Instagram

I try to stay out of planner drama (mostly) these days, because it’s usually pretty petty and not productive. But I cannot be silent about the blatant racism and privilege shown by Erin Condren, the face of the @erincondren planner brand, over the years and especially now. Swipe over to read the history and the latest offense, then share this far and wide. As you prepare to consider purchasing another planner brand, do some research! There are several brands created by Black women and others created by brands committed to anti-racism work. This woman may have been the gateway for many of us into the world of planners, but we have outgrown her. Edited to add: I know a lot of people are concerned about the money you’ve invested in brand new EC products. It sucks that this latest bad action didn’t happen until after her annual launch. She already has your money – don’t feel bad about using it if you can’t replace it right now. There is grace to be extended here to allow people time to adjust 🖤 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 Point of clarification because people have asked: The details surrounding the permits for the graduation walk are unclear because the article is not super well-written and conflates multiple events. It is clear they filed permission for a march because the county denied a graduation gathering. I don’t know if they included BLM specifically in their permit paperwork but it’s clear that Erin Condren’s daughter was inspired by a BLM march she’d attended and decided that was their work-around the rules to be allowed to gather. Even if they didn’t use the words, they wanted city officials to assume they were marching in support of a current issue, which officials would probably assume to be BLM.

A post shared by Kelli 📒🖊 🎭 🎤 🏰🧜🏻‍♀️ (she/her) (@kelliplansitall) on Jun 17, 2020 at 12:01pm PDT

With the public outcry from the planning community, Erin Condren has responded by taking a temporary leave of absence- similar to what the Ban.do founder has done. Of course, the question is whether temporarily stepping down will truly lead to change in these companies and the women who have engaged in behaviors many of us find unacceptable. I truly hope there is true and sustainable change.

Please note that I have been working as hard as I can to compile a list of planner companies that can serve as alternatives to Ban.do and Erin Condren. I hope to soon publish an article featuring planner and stationery companies that are either minority-owned or who are at least operating responsibly in our planner community. Stay tuned.

Do you have resources to share about how to research a company’s corporate values? Which Black-owned and minority-run businesses do you recommend? Leave a comment below-