Goodfolks and the Mandala Model™: A Vision for Equity Born in 2020
In 2020, Dinesh Gratian Perera founded Goodfolks, a Sri Lankan enterprise dedicated to organic, ethical, and sustainable products. From its inception, Goodfolks embraced the Mandala Model™, a transformative framework that invites every voice—human and non-human—to shape a fairer future. This is not one person’s story; it is the soul of Goodfolks, a gift to the world, crafted to heal divisions and inspire mindful progress. With wisdom and kindness, we share the Mandala Model™, inviting you to join a journey toward equity and collective flourishing.
Goodfolks and the Mandala Model™: A Vision for Equity Born in 2020
In 2020, Dinesh Gratian Perera founded Goodfolks, a Sri Lankan enterprise dedicated to organic, ethical, and sustainable products. From its inception, Goodfolks embraced the Mandala Model™, a transformative framework that invites every voice—human and non-human—to shape a fairer future. This is not one person’s story; it is the soul of Goodfolks, a gift to the world, crafted to heal divisions and inspire mindful progress. With wisdom and kindness, we share the Mandala Model™, inviting you to join a journey toward equity and collective flourishing.
A World Out of Balance
The world we inhabit bears the weight of historical choices. Systems shaped by a colonial past—often led by Western powers—have long prioritized the voices of the few over the many. This legacy, not the fault of today’s generations, lingers in structures that favor profit and power, leaving some without clean water while others overuse resources. The climate crisis, born from industrial excess, burdens communities least responsible, like Sri Lankan farmers navigating a warming world, while others face fewer barriers.
Knowledge, too, carries this imprint. Organic certifications, designed for Western agriculture, often overlook indigenous systems like Sri Lanka’s Kandyan Home Garden, a biodiverse treasure diminished by monocropping demands. Ancient practices, such as Ayurveda, are sidelined as “alternative,” though they’ve sustained humanity for millennia. These are not mere oversights; they are imbalances we must name and mend—not with blame, but with urgency. Those in privileged positions, enjoying benefits from historical inequities, have a unique opportunity to accelerate change, joining hands with all who seek fairness.
The Mandala Model™: A Circle of Voices
Goodfolks’ Mandala Model™, introduced in 2020, is a gentle yet resolute call to rebalance our world. It is a framework where every stakeholder has a seat at the table, their voices woven into decisions with equal weight. This model honors not only farmers, consumers, but also women, indigenous communities, and those with disabilities—alongside the soil, rivers, and bees, represented by advocates who speak their truth. It celebrates founders of genuine social enterprises, whose quiet courage inspires us to rethink what business can be.
At Goodfolks, we see financial sustainability as a harmonious flow, vital for growth and purpose, yet never the sole purpose. We pursue modest profits to nurture our mission, ensuring initiatives—like supporting small-scale farmers—thrive even if they yield minimal returns. This is not sacrifice; it is wisdom, ensuring no one is left behind. Our model embraces diverse knowledge, from Ayurveda’s ancient insights to modern science, healing the wounds of colonial narratives by listening deeply to all.
Inclusivity is our heartbeat. We weave marginalized voices—women, indigenous groups, and those with unique abilities—into our core, not as afterthoughts but as leaders. Occasionally, we amplify LGBTIQ perspectives, ensuring their place in our circle. This structure counters outdated norms, fostering a workplace where every soul is seen and valued, a testament to the human spirit’s boundless potential.
How the Mandala Model™ Works
Imagine a mandala: a radiant circle, each spoke a voice, united in purpose. At its center is the Mandala Panel, our Board of Directors, a core team tasked with holistic decision-making. This panel includes:
- Farmers, whose hands know the earth’s pulse.
- Consumers, seeking ethical choices.
- Advocates for women, indigenous communities, and the differently abled, ensuring no perspective is silenced.
- Experts, speaking for rivers, forests, or pollinators, safeguarding our planet.
- Social Enterprise Founders, whose equitable ventures light the way.
The Mandala Panel convenes virtually, blending mindfulness with strategy to set Goodfolks’ course. They may connect directly with farmers to co-create a new product or engage consumers to refine offerings, free from bureaucratic layers. Decisions are made collectively, guided by fairness and long-term good, not fleeting gains.
Supporting the panel is a lean layer of experts—in logistics, sustainability, technology, and more—who bring decisions to life. These experts, backed by small teams of professionals, are not commanders but facilitators, using tools like AI to optimize operations while keeping costs low. Goodfolks operates online via goodfolks.shop, a platform that embodies our agility, delivering ethical products with minimal environmental impact.
This flat structure sparks creativity from every corner—be it a farmer’s insight or a consumer’s idea. It is lean, agile, and kind, proving that a business can thrive with a fraction of the resources of traditional models, all while uplifting those often overlooked.
A Legacy for Healing
Since 2020, the Mandala Model™ has been Goodfolks’ guiding light, a legacy we offer to the world. It is a blueprint for businesses, communities, and leaders seeking to heal rather than divide. It asks us to listen—to the earth, to each other, to the wisdom of those who came before. It reminds us that privilege, though not chosen, carries a call to act, to fast-track a world where fairness is not a dream but a reality.
Goodfolks’ organic products, crafted with Sri Lankan farmers, are a small but mighty step. The Mandala Model™ can scale far beyond, reimagining industries with equity at their core. We honor the unsung—farmers, weavers, social entrepreneurs—who work without fanfare, their spirits woven into our mission.
Join Our Journey
Goodfolks invites you to embrace the Mandala Model™. Visit goodfolks.shop to explore our products, learn more about our vision, and become part of a movement for mindful progress. Together, we can craft a world where every voice rises, every heart is heard, and every step is toward healing.
Mandala Model™ and Goodfolks™ are trademarks of Goodfolks. © 2025 Goodfolks for website content.
Originally Uploaded 17 August 2020
Last Edit 26 May 2025