I noticed a lot of new faces around the blog this week, so I want to take the time to welcome everyone and give a little more background about what goes on here at Crafting an MBA. I founded Crafting an MBA back in December with the goal of helping designers and makers develop their business skills.
I’m a maker and I run my own business, so much of what I talk about comes from my own experience. The rest comes from my completely hopeless addiction to reading anything I can get my hands on – including lots of business books. I believe that if designers and makers were more business savvy, it would help grow our field as a whole. I want to share what I’m learning so that others can build their business skills as I continue to develop my own.
When I was in college, my dad gave me an article about a woman who started a company making designer handbags. She settled her company in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She picked an area where the economy was depressed and where unemployment was high, particularly for local women. She then proceeded to employ some of these women, teaching them valuable skills and providing a living wage. It was as much about giving back to the community she settled in as it was about building her own business.
This story has stuck with me ever since I read it, and it has been a goal of mine since then to create a business that provides value in my community. Right now, I’m still a one-woman show. But I think there’s a lot of value in being able to build a business that can create jobs and add value to the community. This is the kind of business I aspire to have.
I thought today I’d share two of my business role models. These are companies deeply routed in a crafts tradition that also provide valuable employment for people in their communities:
- I have been in love with Heath Ceramics since the moment I learned about the company. Originally founded by potter Edith Heath, Heath Ceramics evolved into a small factory that marries hand skills with manufacturing. Not only does Heath have a strong commitment to design, but they clearly have a commitment to providing a quality place to work. Some of Heath’s employees have worked in the factory for over 30 years!
- The story of Alabama Chanin mirrors the story of the purse company that I was initially inspired by. Founded by fashion designer Natalie Chanin, Alabama Chanin employs women with traditional hand-quilting skills to create their clothes. Not only does the company provide meaningful employment for these women, but it has found a way to preserve traditional skills that might otherwise be lost.
Since I started this blog, I’ve realized that building a company that creates value in my community can take on a whole new meaning. I had no idea when I started this how positive the response would be from the online community of makers. I’m very grateful that even as a one-woman show, I’m able to offer something of value to others.
So welcome to Crafting an MBA, and thank you for all your support! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments – I’d love to know who your business role models are, and what kinds of businesses you aspire to create. And as always, feel free to share any topics or ideas you’d like to see on Crafting an MBA.
And if you’d like to keep up to date with what’s going on here, please sign-up for the Crafting an MBA e-newsletter, follow us on Twitter, and become a fan on Facebook.
Thanks for this post! Sharing, cooperation and helping one another will get us much further than the me-me-me attitude that’s pervasive in our culture. Like the sign I saw the other day: We can’t help but succeed when we help others succeed.
Hi,
I stumbled across your blog today (through Etsy) and it sounded like just the type of thing that fits me and my new business! I am an artist with a business background, having completed an MBA a few years ago whilst moving countries and having children! I feel that I have finally found my niche, and like you, aspire to grow and give back to the community. I am an avid supporter of Think Local First groups, trying to get people to buy locally to save energy and help the local community. I try to source all my base materials as close as home as possible.
For marketing, I am currently giving back to the community by donating pieces and packages to local schools, as here in Boise, we are at the start of the School Art Auction season to raise funds. This to me is my first step into helping the community. Other ideas by your fellow blog readers would also be appreciated! As the hardest thing I find being a sole-owner is the brain-storming of ideas and call to action!
Thanks for having this up on the net, for us all to brainstorm through 🙂
Can I just say how great it is to know more and more like-minded businessowners like you that are looking to do right by their community? 🙂 It’s a relief for me to know that there are those exploring options beyond overseas outsourcing with profit as the only bottom line. I sat down with another small business owner over dinner, after participating in POOL, and we both shared our dreams of having a small, local factory that draws from members of the community, specifically women. While I’m not there yet, it’s gratifying to know I’m not the only one with that dream. So, thanks!
and thank YOU Megan for sharing this journey out loud, creating community, and taking the time out from being a one-woman-show to our communal benefit!…it is just great that you have created this space!…Love Heath and Alabama Chanin to pieces…they exemplify what handcrafted can be about….
I just found your blog recently and LOVE it! I follow some other similar blogs, but yours is hands down the best. Thanks for providing such wonderful and useful information.
Dear Megan,
I came across your wonderful blog quite recently and I truly love it. You inspire me, and many others I’m sure, with each and every post. I am so grateful for your generosity and for sharing the knowledge you are gaining through you personal research. They say that the best way to learn something is to teach it, which I think is very true.
I’ve recently gone into the business on my own and my husband is soon to join me. I am an interior designer with a background in commercial, residential and hospitality design, but my true love lies with heritage buildings {and as of quite recently – blogging}. My dream is to become a successful boutique “property developer” {I put this term in the inverted commas as there is so much negative stigma around it} and specifically by refurbishing existing buildings. What I love about heritage buildings is that they are a diminishing stock – we can no longer create buildings like them, yet so many end up mistreated, neglected, overlooked and forgotten whilst so many unsightly and poorly considered new properties get built around them.
I hope that as a result of my entrepreneurial ventures, we all end up living in or working out of more inspiring buildings, streets, neighbourhoods, communities, suburbs, cities…
My best,
Dana.
Hi Megan,
I really enjoyed your article on the Storque today. Thank you so much for sharing such thoughtful insight. You made really good points about things I never thought of…
I am also glad I stopped by here too. You sound very passionate about a topic that is close to my heart. It is also my passion to help women, especially women in business, to be the very best they can be. You are an inspiration!
I’ve always wanted to get to this point as well… I have dreams of bringing local, organic clothing production to my area, mentoring teens and young adults in entrepreneurship and revitalizing some of the many crumbling but once beautiful buildings in my city (New Orleans). And I’m only 26, so those dreams don’t feel too ambitious when I really think long term… I’ve got so much time ahead of me, and I’m off to a good start so maybe I will manage to accomplish much of that!
I agree that it’s refreshing to hear how community minded so many people within this handmade art world are. I think it’s part of why it resonates so strongly with me and why I want to help the people in it to succeed as well.
Hey Mallory –
Keep working on your dreams/goals – write them down and keep them in your thoughts. It’s amazing how those things that you keep in mind come to fruition.
Megan-
I saw your article on Etsy today and was inspired! I am about to start my journey into the wholesale market and your advice came at the perfect time. I will be checking back on your blog for tips and all your insight.
I loved the story about the woman making designer handbags and empowering other women in her community. That is a goal of mine. I want to build my business, quit my “day job” and in the long run, be of value to my community.
Great blog, I am happy I found it!
i am so excited to have found your blog today. as a one woman show also….i desire to build my biz, but i so want to impact my community…my tribe!
thank you ahead for your insight…i have a feeling it will be invaluable!
Great article, I enjoyed reading it very much. I have owned a candle company since 2001 and have closed the doors a couple of times out of frustration. After receiving a phone call from a boutique I sold to asking if I would please consider making candles again, I decided to re-open in December 2009. I love reading about successful businesses and love reading inspirational stories. I am glad I found your blog and that you are willing to share your success with other woman. Thank you, Kimberly
I, too, have felt the need to provide jobs in this rough economy and am happy to be able to provide one for now! I’d like to someday build up to be a company of 20 or so, similar to Padraig Cottage, a role model of mine. Thanks for sharing your crafty business knowledge with us!
I was introduced to your blog today by my wife, the artist of the family when she made the startling announcement that she would only do one art fair this year and focus her attention and energy on wholesale. I have been saying this for the last few years but the Storque article on etsy must have finally tripped the trigger, or gave her a way to say I was right!
I have subscribed to your blog as I look forward to learning from you and others, and for helping my wife achieve her dream and our goal – of creating a sustaining business providing products that bring joy to people’s lives.
I believe artists and crafters need to find new outlets for their work. Thank you in advance for putting this forum together.
Steve Gallimore
Hi Megan
A great post. Having read some of the comments on your post I’m not too sure how well this will go down but my dream for my business is to support organic and fair trade producers in third world countries. I am completely in love with the UK fashion business people tree http://www.peopletree.co.uk/ and would love my textile homewares / apparel line to run along a similar ethos. Cotton is not produced in the UK so has to be shipped here, rather than shipping it over in its raw state for print and manufacture in the UK I want to work with small producers to have it printed and manufactured to my design in India before shipping. This supports their economy and can keep the costs down for me.
I’m just getting to the end of the sampling stage with a wonderful producer in India and can’t wait to receive the bags. Hearing you share your experiences and those of others is really helping me with this huge scary stage in my business.
Emma
showpony
Megan,
First of all let me say I admire your aspiration to make your community better.
Second, I really appreciate your willingness to share insights and tips with those of us trying to make a living with cottage industries, and to take the time to do such a great blog, too!
I would love to get to a point with my business where I can employ others and donate even more to the charities that mean so much to me. I’d even love to outsource some work to other countries and actually pay them a fair wage.
Bless you and your efforts, and thanks again for uniting us all in a common cause.
I’m glad I found your blog. I just had a eureka moment in my Operations Management plan as to why my shop didn’t become successful the first time, and it was because I had all of this knowledge from classes that I didn’t use. If I had used some of it, perhaps my shop would do better. I plan to reopen after I brush up on some information, and I am glad that I have found so much here!
thanks everyone for sharing some of your dreams and goals!
dana and mallory – i love when i hear anyone talk about wanting to refurbish old buildings. i am such a huge believer in taking care of our historic buildings rather than building new, and its great to hear other people who want to build those goals into their businesses!
steve – a few years ago, i made that same decision, to cut my retail shows and focus on wholesale, and i haven’t regretted it. hopefully your wife feels the same way!
emma – i think that’s a fantastic vision. (and i love your work!) there will be scenarios when local production isn’t a viable option, and then looking for responsible, fair trade partners is a great alternative!
Hi Megan, I found your site last week and received my first newsletter yesterday. I’m in my earliest stages in starting my own business with two other designers and we’re already at a loss as to where to start. I think your blog will be a tremendous guide in our efforts. Thanks so much for your time and energy.
I’m sure I’ll be one of those active commenters asking tons of questions. Thanks again!
thanks for the post Megan –
I have been able to employ 1 or 2 people at a time at least one day per week for the past 5 years. Usually I have employed college girls and I have found that I enjoy working with them and mentoring them in the process. Many of the girls I have employed are pursuing creative endeavors and I hope that I am helping them to learn different aspects of running a business while also helping them out financially. I also happen to have 2 creative daughters and I hope I am also a role model for them.
My goal is to open a studio space to run my business and employ young people that are trying to develop their own creative products. I would like to help them get going and to have a collaborative work space.
Love your blog! — Angela
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