What inspired your brand mission?

Our mission is inspired by a love of handmade goods, traditional textiles and a commitment to ethical and sustainable production practices. The majority of our artisans in Guatemala are women. These women are survivors of the Guatemalan Civil War and face institutionalized discrimination and poverty. Despite these circumstances, they have resilient spirits and a deep love for their craft. By employing these artisans we can help them break the cycle of poverty and preserve their beautiful Mayan textile traditions.

What have been the greatest challenges?

Starting a business in a developing country is a challenge in itself. Occurrences such as roads being left un-passable due to lack of infrastructure make simple tasks more complicated. Going through the process of product design and developing a supply chain in another country means sometimes facing unexpected limitations and navigating an unfamiliar bureaucracy. These challenges have been valuable learning experiences though as Julie and I have had to become more flexible and more resourceful.

What have been the greatest rewards?

Being able to express my creativity, design a product and see it come to life is really wonderful. I also value the opportunity to advocate for ethical and sustainable business and production practices in the fashion industry. However the greatest reward is being able to give work to people that desperately need it.

What life experiences have shaped who you are?

When I was in college I did an internship with The Hemp Trading Company in London. It was inspiring to see a small business in the sustainable fashion industry from the inside. I saw that it is possible to have a positive effect on the world, even if you’re a small business. Living abroad that summer and having the opportunity to visit several countries was an enriching and enlightening experience. While people may come from very different places and cultures, we all have so much in common. When you can identify not just as a person from your own country, but as a member of the human family, then you want to do what you can to change systems that are unjust.

Who do you admire and respect?

My father is a small business-owner in my hometown of St. Augustine, Florida. He built his business from the ground up and is a true entrepreneur. I am in awe of his ingenuity and his work ethic. I would not have been able to contribute to Estrella de Mar as effectively without his example and advice.

What advise do you have for aspiring Eco-Entrepreneurs?

Julie and I are still on the road of making Estrella de Mar a success. I would encourage any aspiring eco-entrepreneurs to have perseverance because making your dreams a reality and changing the status quo is not an easy process. However, the world needs more people who will make sustainability a priority in their businesses and use business for good. 

Support Estrella de Mar and share their beautiful story and product.

Photo credit: Jasmine Luoma

The designers at Ricefield Collective push boundaries not only when it comes to their social enterprise model, but also in our passion for design. "We’re inspired by the landscape and the motifs of Ifugao, but are always striving for new interpretations and inspirations."  Read our below interview with Meredith Ramirez Talusan,  director of Ricefield Collective.

What inspired your brand mission?

I was doing fieldwork among the indigenous people of Ifugao when I learned that many of them were abandoning their land because there were no jobs in their area. That was what inspired me to begin teaching them out to knit and reach out to knitwear designers and other friends to help form Ricefield Collective.

What have been the greatest challenges?

We're at a critical point in our growth as we transition from a Kickstarter project to a full-fledged company. There have been many challenges, but the biggest one probably is being able to reach as many people as possible because we don't have the kind of marketing and advertising budgets as big brands.

What have been the greatest rewards?

Being able to produce quality designs while helping people lead sustainable lives. There have been many individual stories about us helping our knitters but the one that has touched me most recently was that of Lina, who has five children and was seriously thinking of going to Hong Kong as a domestic worker so that she can send money to her family, even though the recruiters charge up to a year's salary to process her papers. Because of Ricefield, she is able to stay with her community and family, and that's something that makes us both proud and happy.

What life experiences have shaped who you are?

I grew up in the Philippines then moved to the United States at 15. I've been fortunate to receive the benefits of a university education after moving, and being able to use whatever skills I have for the benefit of others is extremely satisfying to me.

Who do you admire and respect?

So many people. RecentLy, I've been bowled over by two entrepreneurs. The first is Leila Janah from Samasource and the newly formed Sama Group, who uses lean startup methods to impact a large number of people. I've also been deeply impressed with Nathan Rothstein, the CEO of Project Repat, which recycles T-shirts into blankets. His transparency and candor as he discusses his business is so insightful and refreshing. Finally, there's Reese Fernandez-Ruiz of Rags2Riches, a company that works with craftspeople in the slums of Manila to make amazing handbags.

What advise would you give aspiring Eco-Entrepreneurs of tomorrow?

Strive to maintain your ideals, but prepare to compromise. 

For more information visit:  
http://ricefield.co