African Businesswomen Get Help Fashioning Futures – But Still Not Export Ready

An article that appeared in the LA Times last week, and in the Chicago Tribune’s Business section today, touts a recent visit by 47 African women entrepreneurs who came to the U.S. as part of a program by the State Department aimed at helping African countries build their economies and rely less on U.S. aid.

Having worked with women artisans in African countries directly now for several years, it’s always exciting to see any program that helps a woman develop and grow her business. Programs like these are especially useful and informative when the programs highlight specific trade agreements that can help get the products export-ready and cost less to export for the importer (for example, the article specifically covers the African Growth and Opportunity Act – or AGOA for those us of who need to know the term) but it doesn’t cover another very important trade agreement between the United States and many other countries (not specifically African countries but it does benefit those countries as well: the Generalized Systems Preference or GSP).

Most of us, as consumers, would never hear of these, or any other, trade agreements and yet they affect almost everything we buy in the United States that we import. I hope the program organizers stressed the importance of keeping up to date with those trade agreements as not only do they vary among countries, but they are among the many things any exporter needs to know to become “export-ready”.

I’ve covered this topic before on the blog, the fact the importing, much fun as it is to work directly with our artisan partners in developing countries, is not fraught with many challenges. The trade agreements and importing, in general, are among them. It really really really helps when the artisans, on their side of the pond, are as export-ready as possible, making sure they have all of their paperwork correct, organized and AVAILABLE so when it leaves their country, the country officials will let it leave the country. And, when we are bringing our shipments into the U.S., our U.S. Customs broker and freight forwarders have what they need to show U.S. Customs officials to get the green light and release our shipments.

Sound glamours, eh? Yea, it’s about as glamorous as that. But, truth be told, importing can be a lot of fun and very exciting because we really do get to see some amazing things in these countries – things we just don’t see in the U.S.

I’m proud to be an importer and work with these amazingly talented women artisans in developing countries. It’s exciting to see these programs in place and, hopefully, as they continue to grow the program and reach out to more African women entrepreneurs, we’ll see even more great things coming out of those countries!

~Megy

TOMS Shoes – Helping or Just Hype

According to TOMS Shoes Founder Blake Mycoskie, buy one pair of his company’s shoes and another pair will be given to a child in a poor country through his One for One Movement. His idea has quickly grown into a $100 million enterprise that has sold more than two million shoes over the past six years. That’s a lot of shoes. But besides that, it also means that two million shoes have been given to children who needed them.

Its popular style is its trademark “Classic” loafer and has introduced other designs including sequined shoes, ballet flats and wedges. Most recently the company introduced sunglasses and through its One for One program, for every pair of sunglasses you buy, vision screening will be provided to a child in need which may result in either prescription eyeglasses or corrective surgery.

By all accounts, it seems TOMS has the perfect socially conscious business plan, right? But dig beneath the surface and you may notice that the shoes are made in China. They are not a member of a fair trade organization. Glancing through its website and its FAQ pages show no mention of its manufacturing practices. I did find, on its Eyewear website’s FAQ page that its sunglasses were made in Italy. That’s it.

TOMS is no stranger to criticism. Kelsey Timmerman, author of Where Am I Wearing, documents the manufacturing conditions of some of the articles of clothing we may find ourselves wearing on a daily basis like Teva sandals and t-shirts. Last April he documented his concerns over TOMS Shoes which include that while providing shoes to children in need is great, it doesn’t really solve the larger problem of poverty.

According to Timmerman: “A takeaway from the One Day Without Shoes movement [one of TOMS Shoes’ promotions] of, ‘we need to give shoes to these poor shoeless people,’ isn’t useful. But getting more people to think about poverty on this level is important and I think that’s something that the TOMS critics miss. I always say step #1 is getting people to give a shit.

“However, I do wish that TOMS would not just give shoes on the back end, but give quality jobs on the front end. Then impact of TOMS, unlike like a pair of shoes, wouldn’t wear out.”

Here’s the thing, as far as shoe companies go, TOMS is onto something. Their heart is in the right place and they are making things happen as opposed to sitting on the sidelines and waiting for things in our world to improve by doing nothing. But like Timmerman, I would LOVE to see TOMS Shoes have its shoes (and eyewear) created using fair trade practices in developing countries where its providing much-needed employment to people in need. Then those families can afford to purchase shoes for their children. One pair for one child is going to go so far. Yes, it’s a lovely gesture and has good intentions. But good intentions won’t put food on the table night after night. Let’s get to the root of the problem and not just the surface.

Do you own a pair of TOMS Shoes? Or will you buy a pair? I’d love to hear what you think of the company, its mission and, its shoes! 🙂

Peace,

~Megy

 

Accessories Mag Shares Pantone’s Spring 2012 Colors

Accessories magazine has a really nice pulse on the accessories industry. While a lot of magazine do a nice job giving us trends and news about the fashion and apparel industry, this magazine’s sole focus is on the accessories (which, as you know, World Shoppe knows a thing or two about with our fair trade and handmade jewelry!).

As we’re pouring over colors for our handbag line, I couldn’t resist checking out the magazine’s recent post about Pantone’s Spring 2012 Colors.

All of the colors seem so fresh, young and fun. Gone are the grays, maroons, and somber colors. The Pantone colorways greet Spring with an enthusiasm and burst of energy that we very much will need after hibernating this winter.

Shown here is Nanette Lepore’s interpretation of the color schemes (Tangerine Tango and Sweet Lilac) in a fun and flirty ensemble.

According to Accessories Magazine’s article, Leatrice Eisman, well-known in the color world as the queen of color trends,“Consumers look to spring for renewed energy, optimism and the promise of a brighter day,” she says. Eisman’s official title is executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

“They have learned how color can help them alter a mood and provide the vitality and enthusiasm that enables them to experiment with new looks and color combinations,” she adds.

Oh, I hope so, Leatrice! We need all of the help we can get right now!

So, I for one don’t like to jump ahead months and prefer to enjoy the days as they come. However, I will admit that I’m particularly excited about what is heading our way this Spring season. By then I’ll be ready to shed my layers of winter wear and let the sun beat on my skin again – and look fun and flirty with a new wardrobe and spirit to boot!

Is anyone else as excited about the Spring season’s offerings as I am or are you just concentrating on making it through this quarter first?! 🙂

~Megy