Here are five key lessons we've learned along the way:
It’s hard to believe it’s been just over a year since we embarked on this incredible journey to bring handmade Rwandan basketware to the world. What started as a small idea quickly turned into something much bigger than we could have ever imagined. The Artisan Lab's original mission was simple: introduce Rwandan basketware to European markets. Fast forward 12 months, and while our mission remains the same, our vision has evolved into something far more impactful.
1. A Foundation for Growth
Initially, we lacked a clear mission. After brainstorming, three words emerged that embody The Artisan Lab’s spirit, Art, Transparency, and Empowerment. These three words were key to everything else falling into place. Our mission became more than just selling baskets; it became about creating a thriving marketplace that connects you, our customers, with the beauty and craftsmanship of Rwandan artisans. When there's clarity in your vision, everything else follows.
2. Embracing Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome, the feeling of doubting your abilities despite your success, is something many of us can relate to. I found myself caught off guard on occasions when others casually referred to The Artisan Lab as 'TAL,' making me question if they were talking about me. Over time, I’ve learned to embrace this feeling and honestly, I’m over the moon that our collaborators and customers are excited to see how The Artisan Lab evolves.
3. Creating a culture of collaboration
Aside from our core values- art, transparency and empowerment, we are advocates of collaboration. As someone who has previously been an academic and a freelancer, building a team was completely new territory for me. Our mission, aesthetic, and values were only made possible with the guidance and at times, harsh critique of our collaborators. So one of the most valuable lessons has been that a brand is so much more than its founders, so having alignment in values is vital when choosing to work with someone.
4. Global Artisan Sector
I’ve always jumped at the chance to learn about a country’s artisanry industry when I’ve travelled abroad. The artisan sector, worth over $32 billion annually, is the second-largest employer in the developing world after agriculture, with most workers being women in informal roles. Learning more about this sector and the brands creating sustainable, artisanal products inspired us to create something that contributes to this growing movement. Our goal is to become a leading ‘artisanal’ brand , we also wish to become a leading voice on the global artisan sector so that our customers can learn about this constantly evolving industry.
5. Sustainability: A Journey, Not a Destination
When it comes to sustainability, our belief is that it’s a path, not a final destination. While we have a long way to go before we can call ourselves a fully sustainable brand, we’re committed to working towards it. Through our storytelling, our goal is to bring our customer on a journey to understand the process from blade of grass to the final product. We hope that our transparency builds lasting relationships with both our artisans and our customers so that we can create meaningful, lasting change.
Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, thank you for supporting The Artisan Lab.