Site designed by Elaine Bellezza
MAP
PROJECTS
Mia Mali
Consulting
Cameroon
ACTIVITIES
Design
Full Cycle
Mudcloth
Metal
Build
Training
Virtual Trg
Link to Mkts
Local
Intern'l
Web
CASE STUDIES
Fatim
Ladji
Elaine Bellezza
Design, Build Capacity, & Link
BUYER TOURS
Buyer tours, bringing wholesale buyers to producers, can be more effective than sending producers to foreign trade fairs which are expensive and not always sustainable after the life of the project. I have worked on a number of buyer tour projects and they are very effective n increasing sustainable sales for many more producers.
International
Markets
International sales, more than any other factor, helps small-scale producers become sustainable wholesale businesses. Whenever appropriate I help producers access international markets even when they are concentrating on local and tourist sales. A misconception is that international clients are large scale, like Pier One. There are many small and medium sized importers in all parts of the world who work with smaller producer businesses in the developing world and are important in helping them grow their businesses. Fledgling businesses with little international experience need training and mentoring in contract and transport negotiations, packing, quality control, forms and regulations, building production capacity, international customer service expectations, communication & PR materials, record keeping and follow-up, and in establishing a web presence.Managing growth is often the single most difficult issue for a producer moving from local retail sales to international wholesale sales. Capacity building needs to address the specific issues for each situation. For larger producers, keeping production costs down while increasing volume can be a challenge but one well worth addressing and overcoming.
International sales, more than any other factor, helps small-scale producers become sustainable wholesale businesses. Whenever appropriate I help producers access international markets even when they are concentrating on local and tourist sales.
A misconception is that international clients are large scale, like Pier One. There are many small and medium sized importers in all parts of the world who work with smaller producer businesses in the developing world and are important in helping them grow their businesses.
Fledgling businesses with little international experience need training and mentoring in contract and transport negotiations, packing, quality control, forms and regulations, building production capacity, international customer service expectations, communication & PR materials, record keeping and follow-up, and in establishing a web presence.
Managing growth is often the single most difficult issue for a producer moving from local retail sales to international wholesale sales. Capacity building needs to address the specific issues for each situation. For larger producers, keeping production costs down while increasing volume can be a challenge but one well worth addressing and overcoming.
WHOLESALE
TRADE SHOWS
Tribalinks, a major importer of African jewelry and artifacts, regularly purchase from artisans and vendors across Africa. At trade shows they take orders from large and small buyers, consolidate the orders for each African vendor and pass orders onto them. An efficient and creative “boutique importer”, they are able to service the complex needs of multiple buyers and third-world vendors.
Artisans with strong export capacity can be encouraged to participate in trade shows where they will gain exposure to major buyers.
INTERNATIONAL RETAIL FAIRS
International retail fairs are easier for the budding entrepreneur, with less stringent requirements and fees. The challenge is that a producer must finance production, travel and shipping. If products don't sell they often sell them under-cost to avoid re-shipping.
Local Markets
Web Markets
Fatim Bouare
See case study for Fatim, and an example of
successfully accessing international markets