What was your personal learning goal at the beginning of this training?

"To learn how to export to the US."

The first thing she will do to apply her learning is to...

"Re-calculate all of our ex-works pricing, retail into the US, and comparative pricing research."

What is your biggest takeaway from the eMRP?

"We can build a successful business if we are meticulous about our costing and pricing, developing products based on market research, and telling our story with beautiful imagery and concise copy. Getting organised for export takes time, but it's very doable!"

What part of the eMRP was most useful?

"Costing and pricing! And how product development informs pricing."

Her personal goal at the beginning of this training is:

"Improving pricing & shipping strategies, learning about the US distribution channels and design trends. [Also, what sales platforms] cater to B2B instead of B2C."

The part of the eMRP that was most useful was:

"The pricing breakdown was excellent. In terms of branding and marketing, a lot of work needs to be done to step up to our goals and it may no longer resonate with our evolving purpose. [It was a] real eye opener [to see what] we could do."

What are the goals you have set for yourself after this course?

"1.Open to 2 new target markets- locally in El Salvador using a direct delivery distribution channel & to retailers of independent boutique sized shops by choosing the adequate distribution channels according to pricing strategies.

2.Create 1 new/ 1 revamped product lines consisting of 3 products each, applying current trends in colour & natural dyes to add blues, greens. Evaluate taking products from other suppliers/brands, to promote or resell

3.Make a list of 6-12 key products to reevaluate costing, restructure pricing & reevaluate production FACTOR IN NEW SHIPPING INFO. Finish & launch website on Shopify with key products and new pricing. Hire a photographer in country for process & lifestyle shoots. Update linkedin. Evaluate rebranding.

4.Obtain at least 2 small retail customers by the end of the year and fulfill 2 wholesale orders."

When starting this training:

"My original goal was to gain a more holistic understanding of the artisan craft sector from design and production to marketing and selling.

My goal was to train, support, and mentor artisans to adapt their designs and products to the tastes of a US buyer, and provide them with the business skills they need in order to develop and grow their own artisan enterprises whether it be wholesale, retail, or online direct.

I was planning to figure out how to offer this training myself, and was planning to work first with a beading cooperative... However, after the first day and conversation with my small group advisor, I decided that I want to create my own non-profit or granting foundation to fund on-the-ground artisan training."

Her biggest takeaway from the eMRP was that...

"[Artisans should] pivot to online and adapt products to the trends and color palettes that people seem to looking for during this time.... [Being] online is actually a democratizing factor in that artisans can reach their customers directly without going through middle people, wholesale shows, etc. But the BIG IF will be access to the tools, technology and skills to be able to sell online and the ability to adapt their products to fit these trends."

"Our biggest challenge was [we had] no where to sell our artisans' weaving.. due to all artisan fairs cancelled during the pandemic. We were sitting on our biggest order ever which would effect our artisans income as we would not be able to order more if we couldn't move through current inventory. 

We have continued to follow through with our goal and strategy plan made during the [eMRP]. In early December, we launched Hands To Heart Thailand shopify and instagram to drive customers to our site. This has enabled us to move through product which we have been sitting on due to the pandemic... It has better positioned our artisans for success and sustainability through whatever challenges that might come. 

We are so grateful to all of you at Aid to Artisans and our mentors as well who took so much time, effort and care to give us the tools to be successful. 

I would say JUMP, no LEAP off the fence and join now, you won't regret it on many different levels... Community is everything and everyone involved within this organization to also include alumni are available to help, encourage or talk shop with. 

On her biggest challenge:

"My ability to accurately cost a product. Previously I would treat some input costs as a sunk costs.

My confidence has improved and I can now advise clients with my improved knowledge. A very useful nugget that Lauren taught us re costing: "Measure it, weigh it and count it". Having a better understanding of incoterms."

If you're on the fence about joining the eMRP...

"You would be cheating yourself from the extensive knowledge that you would have gained. [They have] very competent and knowledgeable facilitators who have in depth knowledge of every aspect of owning and managing a business, trends, preparation for trade show participation, [and] resources for distribution."

"When launching any venture, there’s a lot of overwhelm and the pandemic added a whole new dimension to that feeling. I wasn’t sure if it was the right time to follow through with the idea.

Having a program like the eMRP felt like being guided by a lighthouse. The cohort made me feel less alone in the journey and gave me the confidence and the contacts I needed to just get started. That was the biggest step.

Since the program, we launched online! We identified and trained our artisan partners during the first half of the year and launched our own designs during the 2 nd half. We now have a couple of best sellers and have been building a lot of great brand sentiment from our customers. We’re on track to do 250-300 sales by the end of the year."