Site designed by Elaine Bellezza
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Mia Mali
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Cameroon
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CASE STUDIES
Fatim
Ladji
Elaine Bellezza
Design, Build Capacity, & Link
Fatim and I worked closely together in all aspects of the business. To the right she has her baby at work. Left, we are doing quality control on a textile order. Below we are working with an artisan on a new collection.
Fatim Bouare
Fatim was my assistant at Mia Mali when
business grew from operating out of my home
to a high-profile gallery, production facility and wholesale export firm. As the business grew, so did she. I mentored her in all aspects of the business, particularly in dealing with international wholesale clients, running the gallery, and managing large orders both from the client and the production perspective.
Though not a designer, she learned about product development, working with artisans on sustained products design projects, and costing and pricing for the international market.
She is innately entrepreneurial and had worked had artisanal export experience. Hard-working, smart and an excellent manager, she had all the right qualities for growth. When I left Mali and turned the business over to my staff, they elected her as their manager, and she is the only woman in the group.
Everyone — clients, artisans, the community, and my staff — did not believe the business would survive after my departure. I knew they were ready, especially with Fatim as their manager. I negotiated with Peace Corps to place a volunteer with them to help them through the transition.
Once in the US a major buyer contacted me for a very large order of mudcloth totes. I steered them to Mali Chic (their new name). With the assistance of USAID and the volunteer, Vina Verman, they were able to secure the order for 60,000 totes and complete production and delivery in the allotted four months.
Fatim added to the nearly 200 artisans with whom we already worked, bought additional sewing machines and hired more tailors who continue to work in their production facility today. Now she is participating in international trade shows in the US and regionally in Africa.
She works well with artisans and has been able to keep product levels up, manage the gallery and grow her clientele.
Here they are getting ready to pack up part of their large US order. Right, transport to the warehouse!