In an age of mass advertising and targeted messages that appeal to consumer’s insecurities and desires, we took a different approach.

From day one, Sambazon has been all about sustainable business.

We built the company upon the principles of the triple bottom line (social, environmental, and economic success) and, through market driven conservation, Sambazon has effectively created worldwide demand for açaí, a renewable resource in the Amazon. In the process we built a network of over 10,000 small-scale family farmers who are responsible for 1.9 million acres of bio-diverse Brazilian Amazon land. The whole operation is Organic and Fair Trade certified to make sure we’re doing our job right. From this mindset, we constructed Sambazon’s first multi-media campaign in line with our core values. We call it Warrior Up.

Warrior Up is a conversation that celebrates those who make the world a better place. Through our campaign, we’re able to tell the unique stories of people we call Warriors, who are, of course, adorned with their own unique Warrior Headdresses. Sambazon Warriors are athletes, entrepreneurs, social activists and everyday optimists who have used their expertise to make an impact for good – and inspire others to follow suit.

We’ve opened the door for anyone to become a Sambazon Warrior. All you need is a great idea, and a pretty good action plan, and we could be funding you down your path of positive change.  With a $10,000 grant up for grabs, we’re accepting nominations of people who, through a personal project or partnership with a non-profit, strive to protect the planet or address social issues such as public health, poverty alleviation, and basic needs. The Warrior of Change Contest is a way we can provide resources to help a few people with great ideas make them a reality.

If you think you’re a Warrior, or know anyone who might be, we’d love to hear your story. And in the meantime, you can also Warrior Up with Sambazon’s Warrior Up Facebook application or, in other words, create your own Warrior of Change headdress. Use your existing profile pic and customize as you please to express your inner Warrior!

So join our tribe and pass it on… learn about Sambazon’s Warriors and their causes, and start creating positive change in your world.

About The Warrior of Change Contest:

Nominations are accepted until November 30th for individual Warriors. Five finalists will be announced by January 5, at which point the public can vote online for the Warrior with the most influential proposal from January 5 to January 21. The winner will be announced January 24, 2011. For more information or to apply, visit www.sambazon.com/warriors.

Sambazon Warriors include:

• Raw food expert Ani Phyo, Pedal Patch Community
• Surf legend Rob Machado, The Rob Machado Foundation
• Surf long-boarder Kassia Meador, Keep a Breast Foundation
• Surfer and activist Bethany Hamilton, Beating the Odds Foundation
• X Games skateboard gold-medalist Bob Burnquist, Action Sports Environmental Coalition
• Bio-fuel entrepreneur Buster Halterman, Buster Bio-Fuels
• Ecology educator Evan Marks, The Ecology Center
• Yogini and social activist Seane Corn, Off the Mat, Into the World
• Extreme cyclist legend Hans Rey, Wheels 4 Life
• Enviro-entrepreneur Stephanie Bernstein, To-Go Ware
• Father-son surfers and eco-warrior team Jon and Jack Rose, Waves 4 Water

Check out this video featuring some of the past Warrior of Change contest winners:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo7P-b60KQ8