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Montreal Entrepreneur Launches Know Your Source Pledge for Transparent, Ethical Sourcing
Anonymous
Key Points
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Charrier’s philosophy is expressed in direct quotes, including: "Even when I was young, I was more interested in the story than the sale." "They didn't have a quality problem. They had an access problem." "If I couldn't maintain a direct connection with a supplier, I wasn't interested in adding another one." "You can solve problems much faster when both sides understand the situation clearly." "I never wanted to build something loud. I wanted to build something reliable."
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Charrier is the founder of Charrier Global Imports, a Montreal-based importer, and the pledge reflects his work with producers, artisans, cooperatives, and family businesses across Europe, Africa, and South America.
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The Know Your Source Personal Pledge includes seven specific behaviors that aim to foster accountability and reliability in sourcing.
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The campaign has been picked up by a broad set of regional outlets across North America, including Idaho News Updates, Delaware News Reporter, Market Minute, Money My Mother Lode, and KBew98Country.
Montreal entrepreneur John Charrier has launched the "Know Your Source" Personal Pledge, a public campaign urging consumers to think harder about where their products come from. Charrier, founder of Charrier Global Imports, built the pledge around seven specific behaviors — from visiting suppliers in person to sharing the stories behind everyday goods. Markets Financial Content reports the initiative went live June 30, 2026, alongside a do-it-yourself toolkit for shoppers.
The pledge draws on Charrier's career connecting artisans, cooperatives, and family businesses across Europe, Africa, and South America with North American buyers. More than 70% of consumers now demand greater transparency about where products come from, according to KBEW 98 Country. "I never wanted to build something loud," Charrier said. "I wanted to build something reliable."
Seven Promises That Define the Pledge
The heart of the Know Your Source campaign is a concrete seven-point commitment. Charrier pledges to learn the origin of at least one product he uses every week. He also commits to visiting suppliers in person rather than relying on data reports. He will ask harder questions before every purchase and prioritize long-term partnerships over short-term savings, according to KOTA Radio.
The remaining four behaviors focus on accountability and storytelling. Charrier pledges to support producers who show transparency, share the stories behind products with others, and spend more time understanding production challenges before drawing conclusions. Together, the seven behaviors aim to make ethical sourcing a daily habit — not a one-time corporate statement.
A Career Built on Access, Not Just Quality
Charrier founded Charrier Global Imports in 2012. Over 14 years, he built a network reaching more than 300 boutique retailers across North America. He says the biggest problem he saw was not the quality of the goods. It was that skilled producers could not reach the right markets. "They didn't have a quality problem," Charrier said. "They had an access problem."
That insight shaped his entire approach to importing. "If I couldn't maintain a direct connection with a supplier, I wasn't interested in adding another one," he said. He also credits clear communication for smooth operations. "You can solve problems much faster when both sides understand the situation clearly," Charrier added, according to Markets Financial Content.
Consumer Demand for Transparency Is at a Record High
The pledge lands at a moment when shoppers are paying much closer attention to supply chains. According to PwC, 76% of consumers are more likely to buy from companies that treat workers fairly. IBM data shows 57% of consumers say they will change their buying habits based on environmental and sourcing concerns. Products with sustainability claims grow 2.7 times faster than traditional ones, per Nielsen, as reported by KBEW 98 Country.
Regulatory pressure is also building. The EU's Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition directive will soon ban vague "eco-friendly" labels without proof. In the US, a 2025 SEC retreat from climate disclosure rules has created a gap that private efforts like Charrier's aim to fill. "Even when I was young, I was more interested in the story than the sale," Charrier said.
Regional Outlets Carry the Message to Everyday Shoppers
The campaign spread quickly through regional news networks across North America. Outlets including Idaho News Updates, Delaware News Reporter, Market Minute, Money My Mother Lode, and KBEW 98 Country picked up the story. These outlets reach rural and mid-market audiences — exactly the everyday consumers the pledge targets.
Some industry observers note that a personal pledge does not replace rigorous supply chain auditing. But analysts suggest the "personal" nature of Charrier's seven specific commitments feels more credible to consumers than broad corporate mission statements. McKinsey data shows supply chain disruptions can cost companies 45% of one year's profits over a decade — making direct, trusted supplier relationships a smart business move as well as an ethical one, according to My Eagle Country.
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