When Jennifer Sault was 18, she volunteered at a children’s home and witnessed something she would never forget: the devastating impact of child trafficking on the young lives she was caring for. “That moment changed my life,” she recalls. “I made a promise to dedicate my work to protecting and empowering children.”
That promise has since shaped a two-decade career built on compassion and purpose. Today, Jennifer is the Founder and Managing Director of Thrift for Good, Dubai’s charitable preloved clothing stores that transform fashion waste into life-changing support for children’s charities around the world.
Thrift for Good is far more than a thrift store. It’s a circular economy model rooted in kindness and sustainability – diverting thousands of kilograms of clothing from UAE landfills every month through resale, repair, recycling, and redistribution. Every dirham raised goes directly to meaningful projects for vulnerable children through trusted global charity partners.
“Beyond raising funds, we create volunteering opportunities, promote conscious consumerism, and inspire people to make sustainability and compassion part of everyday life,” Jennifer explains.
Her journey started humbly. “Thrift for Good began in my home – sorting clothes, selling at flea markets. I remember crying after the first AED 6,000 sale because that meant we could sponsor four children for an entire year.”
That emotional milestone was the start of something bigger than she imagined. “My proudest moment came when we opened our first store and almost instantly raised AED90,000 for our projects,” she smiles. “It was supported by incredible volunteers – it was so beautiful to see the true potential of what we were doing for the first time.”
Jennifer’s vision goes far beyond donations. Thrift for Good has become a community-driven platform for change – teaching sustainability through mending classes, upcycling workshops, school programmes, and corporate engagements.
“As the first zero-waste charitable organisation in the UAE, we had to build our sustainability framework from scratch,” she says. “Repair systems, stain treatment, sorting, recycling, redistribution – all of it. It was daunting at first, but our commitment to purpose, innovation, and collaboration with local partners helped us turn challenges into models for positive change.”
Through every project, her guiding philosophy remains clear: teamwork and transparency. “Teamwork makes the dream work,” Jennifer says with conviction. “Every person – from donor to volunteer to customer – plays a vital role in creating positive change. Together, we achieve what none of us could do alone.”
What drives Jennifer is simple: tangible impact. “Success, for me, is seeing real change – people living more mindfully, waste reduced, and children gaining access to brighter futures.”
Her mantra has guided her through every challenge: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. “There are no problems, only solutions,” she says. “With an open mind, persistence, and support, there is always a way forward. Growth happens when we collaborate and stay adaptable.”
Her leadership style is grounded in empathy – a strength she believes comes from being a woman. “Being a woman has strengthened my leadership through empathy and connection,” she reflects. “It’s helped me build communities grounded in care, trust, and shared purpose.
Jennifer’s work is also deeply educational – shifting perspectives on fashion, waste, and giving. “When communities unite for sustainability and compassion, we shift mindsets – transforming waste into opportunity and empowering children to build brighter futures,” she says.
Her message is as practical as it is powerful: every action counts. “You can change the world through your everyday actions,” she adds.
As the secondhand fashion industry grows, Jennifer hopes Thrift for Good can help make circular fashion the new normal in the GCC. “I hope to lead by example – making sustainable fashion accessible, transparent, and community-driven while inspiring others to view circular fashion as the new standard.”
Looking ahead, Jennifer envisions Thrift for Good’s impact extending across borders. “I’m excited to continue expanding globally, helping communities live sustainably while supporting children’s futures,” she says. “My hope is to leave a legacy of compassion in action – proving that every choice can make a difference.”
She’s inspired by a rising generation of conscious consumers and leaders who are turning awareness into meaningful impact. “Patience and persistence make anything possible,” she says. “Believe deeply in your vision, stay open to learning, and trust that consistency – even in small steps – will take you further than perfection ever could.”
Her advice to women forging their own path echoes her own journey: “Don’t wait for perfection. Start small, ask for help, and keep showing up.”
Jennifer’s story is a testament to what happens when purpose meets persistence – and how something as simple as a preloved garment can ripple into global good.
