From a Blessing Basket to a Global Formula: The Evolution of Ten by Three
In 2002, Theresa Carrington was at rock bottom. During those incredibly difficult days, she found herself leaning on the simple, heartfelt gestures of others – notes, cards, and letters sent by friends and family who believed in her. She kept these treasures in what she called her “Blessing Basket,” a sanctuary of hope that put her back together one random act of kindness at a time. When someone helps save your spirit like that, there are no words for that kind of gratitude, so Theresa vowed to pay that love forward. Growing up below the poverty line in the Midwest, she knew that traditional handouts weren’t a permanent fix. She envisioned a global movement that traded charity for dignity and debt-free entrepreneurship.
The Ten by Three Formula: Why the Name Changed
For 14 years, the organization was known as The Blessing Basket Project. But as the mission grew, the name became a hurdle. On international stages, Theresa was often dismissed as “just a missionary.” More critically, in countries like Bangladesh, the name caused dangerous misunderstandings where families feared it was a front for religious conversion, even leading to threats of honor killings. By pivoting to the name Ten by Three, Theresa gave her partners peace and professional respect. The name reflects a pioneering economic formula where the organization promises to purchase ten products a month from each artisan. By using the Prosperity Wages model, which pays at least 2.5 times the fair trade rate, Theresa ensures artisans have enough money left over to invest. The three in the name represents the requirement that artisans must start three separate businesses to create sustainable independence.
From Chickens to Cows: The Path to Prosperity
This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a requirement tracked by an award-winning digital platform built from the ground up. Level one typically begins with chickens because they are low-cost and reproduce quickly to provide immediate food and income. Level two involves moving into higher capital intensity for agriculture and crops. Level three is the ultimate goal: cattle, which are a sign of wealth and stability in the countries they serve. Because each of these three businesses produces an average of four income streams, the artisan eventually has twelve streams of income. In just three years, this formula moves families from abject poverty to sustainable prosperity.
The “Ninja” Network: A Logistics Lifeline
The entire Ten by Three model breaks down if the baskets do not reach the market. Recently, Theresa faced a nightmare when two containers for Whole Foods Market were stranded in Savannah, Georgia. With no rail lines to St. Louis and a $9,000 rerouting fee, the mission was in jeopardy. Facing a dead end, Theresa reached out to Meghan Reed at LAZ Parking. In a pay-it-forward chain reaction, the call moved from LAZ Parking to John Borsellino and Chris Lantz at Freight Ninja. They didn’t just offer advice; they made a “Ninja” move. They called our client, RoadOne IntermodaLogistics who utilized their Savannah warehouse to pull and palletize the shipment immediately. Freight Ninja covered the warehouse and labor costs, and LAZ Parking covered the final transport to St. Louis. By clearing the path, we protected the Prosperity Wages for thousands of families. The “Thank You, Freight Ninja” leaf held by the artisans in Uganda was a celebration of a partnership that kept their dreams moving.
How You Can Join the Movement:
Theresa’s goal is sustainability through partnership. You can shop with purpose by looking for Ten by Three baskets at Whole Foods, Room and Board, Natural Grocers, and hundreds of boutique stores across the country. Every purchase is a direct investment in an artisan’s journey. Ten by Three is also looking to expand its reach. If you know a retail leader who values purpose-driven products, connect them with Theresa. When we come together as a community, even a single purchase can move the needle. By choosing a product with a purpose, you help make the Ten by Three mission sustainable and change the world one story at a time.
Want to hear more from the woman behind the mission? Click here to read our full interview with Theresa Carrington and learn how she’s using the Ten By Three formula to change lives.
