This week, I am delighted to share an interview with Robbie Stewart of Mbare, a long-time colleague of AOW. We enjoyed working together on an artisan project for West Elm a few years back and I have loved following his work ever since.  Robbie has been running his import business since 1997, which supplies a unique collection of handcrafted products from Africa. He also offers warehousing services that are a growing demand for artisan enterprises. He's filling an important niche in this sector and has vast experience so let's dive in! I hope you enjoy!

This week, I am delighted to feature the second new collection conceived and brought to life by Maura Kroh Lall, the founder of Creative Women. Since 2007, she has been dedicated to cultivating sustainable partnerships with skilled artisans across Kenya. I consider her an invaluable resource for retail and wholesale buyers alike, particularly those interested in ethically sourced wooden home accents.

I am delighted to spotlight one of today’s hottest independent retailers. PORTA brings together European tableware and home furnishings, with a focus on local craft, independent artisans, unique designs, and everyday use.  I was delighted to interview Alice Russotti, one of the co-founders of PORTA, earlier this month. The brand she and her co-founder Francesca have created always surprises me in the subtle ways it pairs traditional textiles and ceramics with contemporary flair. It's an artful balance that’s hard to achieve, but they do it so.
 
During the interview, we chat about running a small business, sourcing inspiration, marketing techniques, and her favorite spots in NYC. Alice didn't hold back when sharing her insights and wisdom.

This month, I'm so excited to bring another interview to you, this time speaking with Haley Seidel, Vice President of Design and Development for The Citizenry. In my eyes The Citizenry is one of the leading artisan brands in the field today. They design and curate a thoughtful assortment of items for the home, made by talented artists around the globe. It’s been such a joy to watch this company grow over the years. I met the founder Carly in Guatemala eight years ago when she was just brainstorming her dream. Then a year later, I reconnected with Carly and her business partner Haley in New York, and their concept was already coming to life in such a strategic and beautiful way. They saw a place in the market for their vision of artisan goods, designed exclusively for their brand. Years later, they now have not only a leading home decor brand creating real impact for the artisan sector but also a newly opened shop in the heart of SOHO. They continue to inspire the field and their consumers.

This month, I'm delighted to present an interview with Kelsie of Driftless Style. I've had the pleasure to work with Kelsie over the months as one of my mentorees, and I've been so impressed with her drive, and quick ability to learn the tricky in's and outs of running an artisan-focused retail shop. That said, Kelsie has been kind enough to share her lessons learned running a retail shop, as well as revealing what has been working best for her, and other best practices when buying from overseas artisan groups. She also speaks about how to juggle working directly vs when to simply buy wholesalers from retailers based in the US. She touches upon tips, how to overcome specific challenges, worthwhile business investments, and more.

This month, I hosted a fascinating conversation between Colvin English of ByHand Consulting, Hedvig Alexander, previous Founder of Far & Wide and Co-Founder of Powered by People, and Daniella Mastracci, Director of Operations at Trade & Impact.