Curious to know more about the craft and design scene throughout South Africa? Be sure to take a peek at some of my snap shots taken from my recent trip. 10 days, 4 cities, it was a whirlwind but maximized by time traveling with colleagues from SWIFT and the South African Trade Hub, visiting numerous artisan workshops, design studios, and manufacturers both large and small. Don't have time to travel but need help finding reliable and export ready suppliers for your new collection, retail or wholesale company? Be in touch to figure out the best way to work together.
Read MoreBehind the Scenes: Journey to South Africa
An Interview with The Cape Craft + Design Institute
AOW connects with Fran Stewart of The Cape Craft + Design Institute NPC (CCDI), a leading sector and enterprise development agency in South Africa with a mission to develop capable people and build responsible, sustainable, and profitable creative enterprises trading within local and international markets. The CCDI supports the development of start-ups as well as established and exporting enterprises operating in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas, operating in craft, design, light manufacturing, and related sectors where creativity and design can commercialize innovation. CCDI’s services help businesses develop the right product for the right market using appropriate business and production systems. CCDI links entrepreneurs into ever-expanding national and international networks of market opportunities, putting them on a growth and profitability path.
Read MoreDesign Insight from Alex Bates
AOW recently connected with Alex Bates, founder of the design consultancy Flint & Kent. Alex's lifework is about designing goods for good. She is one of the most talented product designers that I know and I'm honored to share some of her insight with readers of AOW. Alex was kind enough to take the time to share the top 5 things that inspire and influence her work.
Read MoreBehind the Scenes: Peru Gift Show
For those of you who weren’t able to make it to the Peru Gift Show in Lima this April, I thought I would go ahead and share some snapshots. This is an annual show featuring artisan suppliers throughout Peru in categories such as reversed painted glass mirrors and home accessories, knitted alpaca and cotton toys and children’s items, gourd jewelry, Cusco striped blankets, embroidered bags and belts from Ayacucho, stoneware and ceramics, ornaments from a wide variety of materials, reclaimed wooden tabletop, and of course endless pillows and throws made using the finest alpaca.
Read MoreMonica Garry of Fibre Tibet + Sustainable Cashmere
Fibre Tibet is a luxe handwoven collection featuring the finest cashmere and wool from the Himalayan region. Our designs are woven in Kathmandu and integrate traditional techniques, including handspun yarns, into our designs. The collection is part of Noble Fibre, Inc., a social benefit corporation that invests in nomad communities and artisan enterprises, including a woman-owned business in Tibet.
The first handspun, hand-woven cashmere textile I ever encountered was many years ago in Kathmandu, Nepal when I was a student. My Nepalese teacher wore a beautiful shawl made of natural brown cashmere with twisted crème and brown fringe tassels. I found out who made the exquisite piece and purchased one each for my mother and me. Today the shawls remain in perfect condition—a testament to handmade artisan craft and high-quality cashmere. This began my quest to find the finest cashmere and wool in the world—and that quest led me to Tibet, and to the high mountain regions along the Tibet-Nepal border.
Read MoreAOW asks Lori Fox of foxLor Consulting to share 6 Foundational Secrets to Scale Your Wholesale Business. This is what she said:
1. Understand your target market. Who will use the product you are selling? What age range are they? What kind of shopper are they? Where do they shop? Defining these specific questions will help push your business in the right direction to engage with a market that responds to your product.
2. Strategize the perfect price-point. After you understand your target market you can then aim your pricing structure to fit that demographic. When pricing take into account the raw material costs, labor cost, and overhead for full time staff, warehouse rental, equipment maintenance etc. Review existing product pricing once or twice a year to ensure you are keeping up with any rising costs or industry standards so you can be competitive in the market.
3. Synthesize your production calendar with key order and delivery dates. If your orders aren't delivered on time you are likely to have canceled orders or hit the retailers shelf later in the season and not have product sell through. These issues can mean smaller or no reorders. Having a company calendar with key unchangeable dates such as market dates (ex/ NYNOW), pre-orders, seasonal orders, and delivery dates will help keep your profits up and your buyers happy.
4. Engage your buyers. Did you recently receive a new certification (ex/ Fair Trade, Organic, etc)? Are you running a pre-order sale, promotional sale, or attending a trade show? Haven't received a re-order in a while? Stay connected to your buyers (only with new news) and be sure to leave them with an engaging action through your email or phone call.
5. Celebrate your staff daily. Since I have worked all over the world, I have experienced many different work environments that are shaped by the owner and the countries culture. Some of my favorite daily de-stress-rhythms included 15 minutes of yoga before lunch in Nepal, 15 minute afternoon chai break in India, afternoon bread and coffee (buna) break in Ethiopia. Taking some time to come together as a team and stretch or share a drink during a busy day helps refresh your team and reinforce a healthy work environment.
6. Express yourself through your branding. You are unique and your brand should be also. Creating a brand that reflects the spirit of your company in a clear way will help you rise to the top in a market full of reproductions. I have worked with a company who's owner has a hilarious perspective and sharp wit. She uses this in their social media and I'm always delighted and entertained to read what pertains to their brand. In fact, I look forward to it.
Lori Fox of foxLOR is based in the USA and is a member of the Ethical Fashion Forum (UK) Consultants Pool and Advisory Board. For the past 10 years she has offered artisan and fair trade businesses branding solutions and design services that are unique to each community and culture they serve. For more information visit her web site at www.foxLOR.net