An Ethical, Woman-Owned Small Business
Founder Danielle Trofe in the Gowanus, Brooklyn Studio
Women Leading the Way
We are a 100% woman-owned business! This fact is deeply meaningful to us because it reflects both the values and the vision that guide our company. It represents a commitment to empowerment—both for our employees and for women in product design, lighting and manufacturing. In industries where women have historically been underrepresented, owning and operating a business as a woman challenges those norms, sets new standards, and demonstrates what’s possible when women lead.
“When I founded my design studio in 2011, there were very few female-run design studios within the furniture and lighting industry and I found it quite difficult to take part in the NYC design community as a whole. Over the years, this has shifted quite dramatically, much to the credit of women supporting women across platforms, in the media and through events that shine a spotlight on women in design.”
A woman-led company shapes how we run our business every day. It means prioritizing inclusivity, mentorship, and opportunities for other women to grow, whether through hiring practices, partnerships, or creating a workplace culture that supports work-life balance and diverse perspectives. We emphasize collaboration over competition and foster an environment where people feel valued and heard, regardless of gender. Viewing challenges and opportunities from the feminine perspective leads to decisions made with empathy, resilience, and a deep understanding of the broader social landscape.
At MushLume Lighting we believe that women can, and do, lead with purpose, integrity, and vision. It's about paving the way for future generations of women entrepreneurs to see that success is not defined by traditional barriers, but by courage, innovation, and the power to create change.
MushLume Lighting is Women-Owned Business Enterprise Certified
Our Core Ethos: Good For People & Planet
Our commitment to ethics is driven by a deep belief in responsibility—not just to our customers, but to the planet and to future generations that will inherit it. In today’s world, where environmental degradation, inequality, and exploitation are pervasive, it’s more important than ever to make conscious choices that honor both people and the planet.
The fact that our products are handmade using natural, safe and biodegradable materials is a core part of our mission. We work with a supply chain that provides fair wages, safe working conditions and does not exploit communities or the environment, because we believe in treating people with dignity, respect, and fairness. It’s not just about creating beautiful products; it’s about fostering an environment where artisans are valued, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.
Hand packing hemp substrate into a lampshade mold for the mycelium to grow and bind to.
Every lampshade is handmade.
We are deeply committed to sustainability in every step of our process. Our products are grown, not manufactured, using sustainably sourced hemp and living mushroom mycelium. These materials are not only rapidly renewable, but they also have a minimal ecological footprint compared to traditional, industrial production methods and materials. We take great care to not extract from nature in a harmful way; instead, we work in harmony with the earth, using regenerative farming practices that replenish the soil and support biodiversity.
Our products are designed to be biodegradable at the end of their life, ensuring that when they are no longer needed, they won’t contribute to the growing pollution crisis. The materials we use are natural, so they don’t poison people or the planet. Whether it's through the hemp fibers, the mushroom mycelium, or the sustainable manufacturing processes, every element of our products reflects our belief that the health of our planet and its people are inextricably linked.
“When I developed the MushLume Lighting collection, I wanted to connect people to nature on a deeper level, forming a unique relationship with a fascinating living organism, mycelium. To do this I had to be uncompromising, using only sustainable processes and materials even if it meant spending years on research and development to bring our products to market. This is my commitment to responsibility as a designer and these are our core ethos as a company.”
In a world where fast fashion and disposable goods dominate, these principles matter because they offer a counter-narrative—a more sustainable, ethical, and compassionate way forward. We can make choices that are better for the planet, better for workers, and better for our communities. By staying true to these values, we’re not just creating products; we’re contributing to a movement that prioritizes people, the environment, and the future. This is the legacy we want to build.
Small But Mighty
Supporting small businesses is incredibly important because we offer an alternative to mass-market, corporate-driven models that often prioritize profit over people and the planet. Our small business creates opportunities for customers to make a meaningful and positive impact through their purchasing decisions, because every item they buy reflects a conscious choice that supports ethical practices, sustainability, and local communities. When clients purchase our lighting, they’re not just acquiring a product—they’re choosing to align their values with a business that prioritizes sustainability, fairness, and social responsibility. Each purchase contributes to a larger movement that emphasizes environmental stewardship, fair wages, and a reduction in waste, while empowering artisans and workers in our supply chain.
Selecting a mycelium-grown lampshade from our inventory in Brooklyn, NY.
Small businesses, especially those like ours, are rooted in their communities and are more likely to reinvest in local economies, create jobs, and foster deeper, more personal relationships with customers. We are able to maintain a high level of transparency and accountability, ensuring that every decision we make—from the sourcing of materials to the way we treat our employees—is driven by the principles of sustainability and fairness.
In a broader sense, supporting small businesses is a powerful way to build resilience within local economies, preserve craftsmanship, and reduce the negative impacts of mass production. Every dollar spent on a small business has the potential to ripple out and create meaningful, lasting change, whether that’s through better wages, environmentally responsible sourcing, or creating a more connected, conscious community.
“I’m so proud to call Brooklyn our home over the last 14 years! During this time the community has supported our work through local grants and funding, small businesses have purchased our lighting to embellish their brick and mortar stores, clients visit our showroom and make direct purchases for their homes and the local press have helped to broaden our reach and amplify our message. In turn, we’ve employed Brooklyn-based artisans and craftsmen, created a New York State supply chain, provided free Grow-it-Yourself workshops to the public and education systems and have donated products to many local non-profits for fundraising opportunities.”
Customers have the power to influence the world around them with their purchasing choices, and when they support small businesses, like MushLume Lighting, they’re making a decision that reflects their values and contributes to a more sustainable and equitable future for all.