A few details about my shop! The Shawl Wallah came about through my work in India and a visit to the Kashmir Valley in 2011. This region is known as the birthplace of Pashmina, and the artisans that continue this centuries-old trade practice many techniques used by their ancestors. The need for economic and social reform in Kashmir is staggering, which brought about the idea of the Shawl Wallah. Through ethical production practices (this means no child labour, no adverse working conditions, and environmentally sound techniques); our products are local-economy safe, and allow sustainable and real growth among the Kashmir community. Not only do we source from a cooperative of artisans, but proceeds from each sale are sent back to non-profits working in Kashmir with child development. The shawls themselves are priced according to fair trade practices and real costs. Approximately 50% of the sale price is profit. Proceeds is a very fluid term. In our sense, this works out to approximately 20% of the sale price. Not 20% of the profit after costs, but 20% of the actual sale price. This works out to about $30 per scarf sent back to respected non-profits working to better conditions in Kashmir for their most precious resource; children. The remaining 30% goes into advertising, inventory carrying costs, small business loan repayments, and helping me support my family here in Canada. My goal in starting this venture is not to become disgustingly wealthy off of others labour; my goal is to bring about real, sustainable economic and social change in Kashmir, however large or small that may be. Again, thank you for taking the time to read this, to get into the Shawl Wallah story a bit more, and in at least contemplating making a responsible purchase of a beautifully handmade item sure to last for years to come. From a very hopeful, very excited shop owner; Thank you! Greg Shawl Wallah Doudican
Posted on: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 00:37:21 +0000
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