Call for Applications CEIP2014

              Craft Afrika would like to invite applications to the 2nd intake of the Craft Enterprise Incubation Program [CEIP].

CEIP class in session

Why CEIP?

The Craft Enterprise Incubation Program was created to provide participants with the tools, skills and information necessary to run sustainable craft enterprises.
The craft sector has often been defined along very narrow and traditional terms that fail to recognize the innovation taking place within the sector. Within this definition, the sector is considered a low priority socioeconomic option and therefore no infrastructure is developed to catalyze its growth.
Against this background, Craft Afrika developed a number of products and services to recognize and support young craftpreneurs who are challenging the old mindset associated with the sector. One of these services is the training program, CEIP.

What is CEIP?

Kristin of Calla [R] going through a product critique

Following an evaluation exercise of the pilot program by consultant Ross van Horn, we restructured the program and developed a leaner, more responsive curriculum. The revised program now runs for             12 weeks [19March - 6June2014] and features the following
*5 modules that cover [a] an intro to craft entrepreneurship [b] product development [c] market access [d] wealth creation and [d] protecting creativity through copyright
*Field trips
*Invited guest talks
*Access to business funds through our partner Kiva
*An exhibit at one of Kenya's top craft fairs, Bizarre Bazaar craft festival
*A 6month structured mentorship program that kicks off immediately after the training
These components work together to provide an experiential learning approach, with participants being encouraged to gain and experiment with knowledge in real time.

How to join CEIP

The program accepts a maximum of 10 students to allow for one on one interaction.
To join the program:
* You must be currently running a craft enterprise
* Availability to attend classes Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, [10am - 4pm] including the exhibition scheduled for mid June                                                        
* The ability to work as part of a team as well as take on leadership responsibilities
* An open mind and a willingness to learn
* Financial capacity to pay the course fee of 30,000 Kenya shillings

To access the application form, click here. Download the form as a word document, fill it out in its entirety and send it back to craft@craftafrika.org by 31January2014 at midnight. Interviews will be conducted 13/14February2014 and successful applicants will be notified by 19February2014.

Scholarship opportunity 

Larrissa of Zamoyo- a student of the first CEIP

Through the generous support of our partner Biz Baz Events, we are able to offer 5 partial scholarships worth 10,000 Kenya shillings each.
These opportunities are open to all interested although preference will be given to practitioners with innovative craft products or who are working within the "growth opportunity" sub sectors including ceramics, glass, children's toys and games, bath and body products, ethnic jewellery, woodwork and home decor items. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and we encourage you to apply for the opportunity if you feel you have an innovative product.

CEIP alumni comment on the program:

Gillianne Obaso - Ma Phoebe's sauces & relishes "It [CEIP] was a wonderful ambiance of generosity, vulnerability and sharing. The first module was on self-analysis because apparently [and this came as a shock to me] your business practices are a reflection of who you are! It has been a mind bending, eye-opening, gut-wrenching experience and I absolutely loved it!!"

Carol Maina - Estiira Designs "The program was an eye opener in so many aspects; what i am doing, why i am doing it, what I want out of life, what my main focus is..."

Deborah Wanjugu - cultural advocate"CEIP has saved me at least five years of aimless wandering, because i would never have had this clarity of mind and laser sharp focus without this course. Please apply to be in the next cohort. I promise you, it will be worth every penny!" 

Larrissa Muthoni - Zamoyo "My progress is mostly marked in the change of my mindset. I have learned to appreciate my craft and believe that it could be a sustainable career and not a by-the-way hobby. The cultural link to what I do everyday and the responsibility I have as an artist to use my chosen medium to contribute to the preservation of our cultural heritage is what has most resonated with me out of the whole course." 

For more images from our first CEIP, click here

We look forward to receiving your application and best of luck!

Exhibit at Bizarre Bazaar Christmas Craft Festival 2013

One of the most important aspects of our work is creating market access opportunities for craftpreneurs producing exceptional work, but lacking in individual capacity to participate at top notch craft events. Leveraging on the power of numbers, we encourage groups of craftpreneurs to share skills, ideas and resources in achieving their business goals.

In light of this, we would like to invite five [5] craftpreneurs to exhibit at the Craft Afrika tent this November 16-17 for the Bizarre Bazaar craft festival at Karura forest Nairobi.
In partnership with the organizers of the event, we are offering a special discounted rate of 7500Kshs per exhibitor for the 2-day extravaganza.
Included in this offer is a scheduled full day group session on 1November2013 [10-4pm] focusing on any business issues the 5 exhibitors may have - from pricing & costing to display tips & ideas.                                                                                                                                                                                    Are you eligible?

• We are looking for fresh new designs in any sub-sector and in any medium
• Your enterprise should have been in existence for three years or less
• You must be available to sell your own merchandise for both days of the exhibition
• You must have enough stock for sale
• You must be a team player                                                                                                                                  Please note...

•  Deadline for expression of interest is 25October13 at 5pm
• You are responsible for all your logistical requirements- including transport to and from the venue as well as your display 
• All monies accrued from your sales are yours to keep
• Craft Afrika will be responsible for the overall look of the tent and will endeavor to drive foot traffic to the tent
• Write an email to craft@craftafrika.org with the subject "Exhibit at Bizarre Bazaar". Make sure to include a web link so we can have a look at the products you intend to sell at the fair
• We will notify successful applicants by 29October13

13 Marketing Ideas Before Your Next Craft Event

 The last quarter of the year is a busy one for craftpreneurs. Christmas fairs are aplenty- big and small, churches and charity organizations alike... the pick is yours.
One of the things i have always encouraged is individual responsibility for creating buzz around an event.
Too often, we leave the work of hyping up an event [that we are participating in!] to the organizers.
But what if you were the only exhibitor? Wouldn't you let everyone on your different mailing lists, Face book and Twitter accounts know that you will be there? So imagine a situation where ALL the exhibitors did just that. What kind of numbers would we see walking through to the event?
As much as the organizers put up street banners and send out invitations, i am of the opinion that we would [individually and collectively] enjoy more success if we owned the event, and therefore did more to promote it.
In this article, the author discusses 13 great [and low budget] ideas that take you from passive bystander to active participant at your next event.
Here is a challenge for you- try at least half of them before your next craft fair.
It will make a difference.

 "13 last minute actions to promote an exhibition, event, craft fair, trade show, open studio..."

You have spend all your time preparing for a major event.  You made all your work. Spend ages on the presentation, finding the right plinths, the right lighting.  Been focused entirely on the making and creation of your work.
 And now, a week or on the day (!) of the show, you realize you need to do some quick fix promotion.
Some quick marketing techniques to get those punters in, to get visitors to attend your show, to get people to buy.
You might even be at a show and realize that it is a bit quiet on the visitors front …
This is a quick fix list of promotional activities that you can do – right now!  No costs or very low budget, and crucially very limited time involvement required from you!

For full article click here.

Jumpstart Thursday is Back!

Take a break from work and join us for an afternoon of guaranteed inspiration!

19September13, 2-5pm is the date/time to remember. 
We will be focusing on fashion accessories- talking about everything including how/where to source raw materials, fashion trends to watch and where the potential markets are.
Want to know more about our panelists? Click on their companies to see why you will be in the company of greatness!
>Aprelle Duany - Kiko Romeo
>Annabelle Thom - Annabelle Thom
>Anne Mpinga - Kipusa
>Kevin Rombe - Mapambo

Charges are 500Kshs per person, payable at the door.

For map directions to Shalom House, click here.

How I Create Success Everyday

          Success is extremely powerful motivation for getting up every morning- and despite the fact that there are a myriad ways to achieve it, certain principles hold constant. One of them is that success comes as a result of the decisions we make on an everyday basis, therefore making it a process rather than an end product.
So how do some of the most successful creative entrepreneurs of our generation create success on a daily basis? 

Meet Anne Mpinga [left], owner of fashion brand Kipusa. I have always been fascinated by Anne- her easy smile, funky hairdo but most of all how she has catapulted Kipusa into an internationally recognized brand in less than 3 years.
I caught up with Anne during her European tour a few weeks back and asked her the *ONE* thing she does on an everyday basis that contributes to her success.

"I pray... a whole lot.
I have this quote that i love "let each morn be better than its eve" which comes from my faith. I am a Baha'i by religion and one of the things we are taught is to bring ourselves into account each day when communing with God. Our merit as human beings lies in virtue and service to others.
Early 2013 saw me put together a check list of things that I wanted to achieve in my business. I wrote down plans, including my desire to travel to Europe for brand exposure on a different scale.
I went through all sorts of plans on how to make it happen but despite all my strategies and prayers, nothing was happening; all my plans were fruitless. I felt that maybe i needed to give these plans a rest, be a little patient. 
A day after i made this decision, i received an email from Legendary Gold, an international events company. It was a call for African designers to showcase at the World Fashion Week, Paris. I remember thinking, i have nothing to lose- the worst they can do is ignore my email in which case i will just move on. 
Within a week of responding to that email, i received word that i had been selected to represent Kenya! 
I had a wonderful time in Paris, it was a bold step on my part and i enjoyed every bit of my experience. 
For me, work is worship so whatever frustrations i get in my business, i put God first. It opens the doors to so many things and has allowed me to spend time with business mentors who continue to inspire, guide and support me- the ultimate blessing for which I am forever thankful:)"

Introducing Craft Afrika's short courses

      
            We have been receiving numerous requests to introduce short courses [both daytime & evening] that focus on various elements of viable craftpreneurship.
To this end, we have developed sector specific training programs designed to suit your schedule.
Click on daytime, evening and Jumpstart Thursdays for rates, dates and content.

Registration deadline for all courses [excluding Jumpstart Thursdays] is 19August2013.

Applicants interested in the evening course "Design & innovation in craft" will enjoy a 10% discount on the fees, courtesy of Biz Baz Events, sponsors of the program.

To apply, simply send en email to craft@craftafrika.org, with your names, your company's name, online link and contact details. We will revert as soon as possible.

Craftsmanship: The Devil Is In The Detail

During our one year anniversary event on 8June 2013, we engaged 4 panelists on the art of craftsmanship, and why it is key to the success of your business.

Speakers on the panel included Aprelle Duany, CEO- Kiko Romeo, Robert Topping, Co-director and Design & Technical manager- Rift Valley Leather, Anthony Mulli, Founder- Katchy Kollections and Goodie Odhiambo, CEO- Goodies African Interiors and Gifts.

The discussion focused on why craftsmanship is such a slippery concept.
If paying attention to detail will earn you more money, and put you well on the path of brand success, why is it difficult to grasp and implement? Why are craftpreneurs continuously churning out mediocrity?
We compiled the discussion using our live Tweeter feed. 

1. Process- lacking the patience for and understanding of it

Goodie Odhiambo - "Lot of people don't understand the process to build a brand" #CA1Year #CraftAfrika
— Craft Afrika (@CraftAfrika) June 8, 2013

          Quality and craftsmanship- the two elements essential to the creation of any brand. They both take time, research, energy and most important, process. Process assures consistency, a hallmark of quality. And yet not many people have the patience-nor the appreciation- for process.

2. The pain that is outsourcing

Robert Topping - "We have found there is resistance to following specifications when outsourcing" #CA1Year #CraftAfrika
— Craft Afrika (@CraftAfrika) June 8, 2013

          It happens all the time. You get an order from your client to make a bag. You take it to your 'fundi' in Kibera with explicit instructions on what to do. You even include 3D sketches. But alas... the result is the stuff nightmares are made of.

3. Wrong tool for the right job- and the other way around. And not maintaining either

Robert Topping - "A sharp knife is safer than a blunt knife" Quality matters #CA1Year #craftafrika
— Craft Afrika (@CraftAfrika) June 8, 2013

          The culture of maintenance is a rarity. Not unique to the workshop floor, lack of it is evident everywhere. Our roads, street lights, drainage systems, buildings-name it. We strive to build, buy and own, then quickly discard, leaving its care to mother nature.

4. Misrepresenting your customer

Aprelle Duany - "Identify your customers and know the quality they go for" #CA1Year #CraftAfrica
— Craft Afrika (@CraftAfrika) June 8, 2013

          If you have identified a certain segment of the market as your desired customer base, have you understood whether craftsmanship is a priority to them? And are you able to meet this expectation?

5. Not valuing what you do

Goodie Odhiambo - "study the history of your products, make your customers understand why are doing what you do… know your product" #CA1Year
— Craft Afrika (@CraftAfrika) June 8, 2013

          Too often we meet the 'kazi ni kazi' diehards- the kind that will do anything, entrepreneurs looking for a quick buck. Nothing wrong with it, except a lack of appreciation for design, process, quality and all those wonderful things that enhance the value of craft as a symbol of cultural heritage.

6. Supplies. Or the lack of them

Robert Topping - "would be great to see manufactures set up to make small metal parts in Kenya there is a market" #CA1Year #CraftAfrika
— Craft Afrika (@CraftAfrika) June 8, 2013

          According to Robert Topping, Rift Valley Leather is unable to access quality zipper or buckle supplies locally. This is in fact a challenge faced by many a craftpreneur. Jacqui Resley of Spinners Web says that she cannot get her supplier to consistently deliver the same quality of clay for her ceramics. Patricia Nightingale's biggest nightmare at Kenana Knitters is getting sufficient quantities of good quality wool year round.

          What was apparent from this discussion was that while some of these challenges are manageable, some can get a little overwhelming, such as trying to control aspects of the supply chain. But for those that you can handle, where do you begin?

1. Be your toughest critic

Anythony Mulli - "Quality control begins with you" #CA1Year #CraftAfrika
— Craft Afrika (@CraftAfrika) June 8, 2013

          If you set out to create an A-class product, then you cannot afford to cut any corners. Set high standards and meet them every time.  Designer Lena Hanzel once said that "each [of my] product[s] must fulfill my own personal expectations to the extent that it makes it hard to even sell."

2. Choose your outsourcing partner carefully

Aprelle Duany - "do a lot of homework around the facility that you are going to outsource with - get samples, get referrals" #CA1Year
— Craft Afrika (@CraftAfrika) June 8, 2013

          It may take time, but it is absolutely imperative to engage an outsourcing partner who has the same work ethic as you do. And when you do, put in place measures to safeguard consistent quality.

3. Do not take your customers for granted

Anthony Mulli - "customer loyalty is something we take for granted, we need to learn to appreciate the value" #CA1Year #CraftAfrika
— Craft Afrika (@CraftAfrika) June 8, 2013

          Constantly study your customer and strive to meet their demand for quality. And don't be tempted to be like the fellow they speak of in this proverb - mgema akisifiwa tembo hulitia maji [if the palm tapper is praised, he dilutes the palm wine with water]. 

4. Purpose to build a brand. Then do whatever it takes

Goodie Odhiambo - "We won't sell copied products because quality counts, branding counts" #CA1Year #CraftAfrika
— Craft Afrika (@CraftAfrika) June 8, 2013

          Lack of exposure (research) leads to what i like to call 'nakala mania' loosely translated to mean serial copy cat. Negate research and face serious challenges coming up with original design concepts. And if as a result you find yourself tempted to copy, say, a Rift Valley Leather bag, Robert Topping suggests that you must make sure you have the means (quality raw materials, proper tools, level of skill) to do so. Only then will he consider it sincere flattery.

5. Yes, there is value in what you do!

Aprelle Duany - "Don't work for free, value what you do, don't release a sketch, idea until there is an agreement in place" #CA1Year
— Craft Afrika (@CraftAfrika) June 8, 2013

          How many times have you been asked if your craft enterprise is your only source of income? While it may or may not be, this is the one conversation you must never engage in. Let your craftsmanship [and the resulting profits] speak on your behalf.

          What was apparent during the discussion was that there are no shortcuts- craftsmanship is what will separate you from the rest, the one thing that will allow you to charge a premium for your product.

For purposes of this compilation, we dug into our archives and found two conversations we have had with Ben Handa, CEO-Woodley Weavers and Jacqui Resley, CEO- Spinners Web Kenya. We had asked them what their secrets to success were. The first answer is by Ben Handa, the second by Jacqui Resley.

#quality of product is everything to us. #CEIP2013
— Craft Afrika (@CraftAfrika) January 25, 2013

She lists her top 3 secrets for success in this sector as quality, quality and more quality. #CEIP2013
— Craft Afrika (@CraftAfrika) February 16, 2013

Six experienced craftpreneurs, one recurring answer to a successful enterprise. Craftsmanship.

 Curated for Craft Afrika by Christine Gitau| June 2013

Is Your Product Past Its Expiry Date?

         Yes indeed, your craft product does have a 'best by' date! Just like in the biology of life, craft products have a life cycle from the time they are created, to the time they lose their appeal.
For many craftpreneurs, missing this science can lead to frustration at continued low sales despite all the marketing efforts.
The product life cycle is perhaps the most important element when it comes to product design. It is what guides how and when to bring new products into the market.

"The goal of understanding your product's life 

cycle is to enable you to maximize on its value

 and by extent its profitability." 

  

The product life cycle is divided into four:

1. Introduction

This is when the product enters the market. Revenue at this stage is low, although investment is heavy on distribution and promotion. As it is fairly common for most products to fail at this stage, you need a clear plan on how to enter and win in the market. Common entry strategies include penetration pricing, where you deliberately set low prices for rapid establishment and price skimming which involves setting relatively high price points to attract an exclusive target market. 

2. Growth

This is the boom time for your product, and your goal should be to stay here as long as possible. At this stage, your product is relatively well known in the market and your sales have peaked. There is brand recognition and you begin to attract competition. As such, marketing campaigns must go beyond brand awareness, involving strategies that hinge on customer loyalty. You want to retain existing customers as well as attract new ones.

3. Maturity

Of the four, this stage stretches out the longest, sometimes for decades. It is a stage characterized by severe competition and declining profit margins.

As other players with cheaper and better products enter the market, focus should be on defending existing market share. This involves constantly looking for ways to remain relevant. The savvy designer will keep production costs to a minimum so as to maximize on profits, focus on product design and development and come up with new products to replace those on the decline.

4. Decline

This is technically the product's 'sell by' date. At the decline stage, the product's revenue trickles to a minimum and it is no longer financially viable. There is little interest from consumers and hardly any competition.
In the unlikely scenario that you have only one product, and that product is at the decline stage, you can see you would be in serious trouble. This stage can be likened to a product's saturation point, and while there are many ways to recover from it, a more sustainable strategy would be to have several product lines. Keep a keen eye on where each is on the life cycle. The craft sector is arguably one of the most competitive and taking expired products to the market is a sure way to bury your business.

Want to read more on the subject? http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_80.htm

(Sources: The Open University- Money and Management, Wikipedia. Image mybizoflife.com)

Christine Gitau.

Social Impact: 7 Craft Enterprises Making A Difference

                Much has been said about the cliche imagery of handicraft enterprises in poverty alleviation. However, there is no denying the social and economic impact this modest unassuming industry has had the world over. Furthermore, with an estimated 300million people living in extreme poverty in Africa, the means becomes less important than the end.

In highlighting these 7 African enterprises, i am challenging you to look beyond you. To begin to appreciate the potential your craft enterprise has in job creation, social inclusion, peace building, women empowerment, MSME growth and cultural enhancement. The enterprises featured below are by no means exhaustive, neither are they in order of merit. 

Sole Rebels (Ethiopia)

In the 9 years Sole Rebels has been in existence, it has had the distinction of not only being the world's first Fair Trade footwear company, but also Ethiopia's leading exporter of footwear. When Sole Rebels was founded, its priority mission was to create employment by leveraging on local know, thereby creating a product that was authentically Ethiopian, yet universally appealing. Several years later and with 400 workers on its payroll, Sole Rebels' turnover is $1million, with export markets in 40 countries. Founder Bethlehem Tilahun (above) says that one of the reasons her company is so successful is because it is a self initiated and self directed enterprise- a homegrown solution to Africa's problems. It has become a model enterprise of what can happen when young and motivated African entrepreneurs challenge the status quo of aid to Africa, demanding instead for more trade opportunities.

Gahaya Links (Rwanda)

Returning to her native Rwanda in 1994 just after the genocide, Janet Nkubana, founder & CEO of Gahaya Links realized that she had to get involved in stemming the destitution that was post genocide. In this acceptance speech featured above (The Hunger Project), Janet says that while she was initially content giving handouts to starving women who came daily to her door, she knew that sooner rather than later, she would have to do more. Noticing that they came begging with beautifully woven baskets, she figured that the very item they were using to beg could be their means out of poverty. And so Gahaya Links came to be. Leveraging on the traditional weaving skills that these women had, Janet started buying baskets from them, selling them and sharing the profits. Today, over 4000 women are either directly or indirectly employed by Gahaya. Their 'peace baskets' are to be found in world-famous stores including Macy's and Kate Spade. "It is really amazing, Janet said in a recent interview with CNN African Voices, to see how a small piece of work, how culture can restore values in people, how healing comes through a small basket."  

Lulu Works Trust Limited ( South Sudan)

Dating back to 1955 until very recently, Sudan has been involved in one conflict or another. From the first & second civil war to the War in Darfur, women have borne the brunt most severely. In response to this resulting despair, hunger and need, the French NGO MEDIC founded the Lulu Livelihoods program in 2000. Focusing on the Lulu tree, a resource that grew in abundance, MEDIC set about educating Sudanese women on sustainable extraction of Lulu oil - a lightly scented oil that transforms readily into a creamy butter. However, it was not until 2005 that Lulu Works launched the Lulu Life brand label, manufacturing body butter, soap, scrub and lip balm, and becoming the only producer of Sudanese Shea Butter in the world. To remain sustainable and maximize on profits, Lulu Works does not export the nut in raw form, which is unlike the case for many of Africa's natural resources. By adding value to the butter themselves and selling directly to the consumer, Lulu Works ensures maximum returns to over 400 women in Southern Sudan, helping them maintain a healthy household with money for food, clothing, education and medical care. InFocus Productions have captured in startling depth the story of Lulu Life in the documentary 'The Brilliance Of Oil'.  

Global Mamas  (Ghana)

Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, Global Mamas has easily become one of the most recognized brands within the global craft sector. 

Global Mamas is a network of individually owned businesses working together to expand their collective global market share. From 6 founding members in 2003, to a network of 500 producers in 9 communities, Global Mamas has proven that a business model based on principles of the cooperative movement is sustainable. Registered as a member of World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) and Fair Trade Federation (FTF), Global Mamas ensures all sale proceeds go directly to the women producing the merchandise, with steady and continuous orders from North America, Europe, Asia & Australia ensuring a steady income.  Additionally, Global Mamas works extensively with each producer on product development and quality control, providing artisans with personalized, hands-on business assistance to strengthen their capacity in running their own enterprises. 

Kazuri (Kenya)

'Do not despise the days of small beginnings'. There is rarely a story i have come across that amplifies this truth as much as Kazuri does. 38 years ago, Kazuri (which means small and beautiful in Swahili) began its operations. With a staff of 2 women and a tiny workshop as its base, Kazuri's idea at the time was to experiment on handmade beads, rather than going into full production. As time went by however, Lady Susan Wood- founder of Kazuri- realized that there was a large number of single mothers who were looking for gainful employment and who could potentially be the workforce in a full scale factory. Fast forward to today and Kazuri has become a powerful brand, thanks to the 400 women who handcraft each and every one of 5 million beads produced every year.

A member of the World Trade Fair Organization, Kazuri believes that her workers are her biggest resource and therefore strives to apply the 10 principles of fair trade while engaging with the mostly single mothers who constitute the workforce.

One Mango Tree  (Uganda)

Founded by Halle Butvin in 2007, One Mango Tree works in Northern Uganda, a region that had been in the grip of terror group Lord's Resistance Army since the mid 80s. Realizing that economic empowerment would provide a solid foundation for lasting peace and development, Halle set about building a business model that centered on identifying skilled artisans, providing design training and creating direct access to foreign markets. Since 2007, One Mango Tree has trained and employed 30 tailors, all of whom are given a flexible work-from-home schedule that allows them to attend to other family responsibilities. Taking advantage of locally available organic cotton, the company has recently diversified into creating their own fabric, most notably the Ikat inspired textiles.

Tintsaba (Swaziland)

 

What began as a simple handicraft project with 12 members in 1985 has over the years morphed into an organization that has brought up generations. Working with sisal, a natural resource found abundantly in Swaziland, Tintsaba has trained over 980 rural women in the art of spinning and weaving; giving them purpose, transferable skills and an income pegged on expertise. From the onset, Tintsaba was determined to make a social and environmental commitment to her crafts producers, holding regular training sessions on pattern & quality upgrading while encouraging environmental impact awareness. Tintsaba uses environmentally safe dyes, making sure that the raw material conversion utilizes no chemical and minimal amounts of water.  The result is a wide offering of high quality and beautiful products that have grown beyond traditional craft. 

Is there another enterprise that you feel should be included on this list? By all means, do let me know, i will be happy to oblige:) 

Curated by Christine Gitau. Sources (etsy.com, webaraza.com, ABNDigital.com, YouTube, Wikipedia.org, Swahili-imports.com, InFocus Productions, Globalgirlfriend.com Momfaze.com,  Bridgeforafrica.com, Openafrica.org, OneSimpleask.com, wtfo.com, ftf.org and the respective brand websites)

Low Season: 6 ways to Make It Work For You

The first quarter of the year is usually rather low in sales for many a craftpreneur. It however presents wonderful opportunity to prepare for the months to come. Below are 6 areas of focus you can invest time in

1. Read
No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance - Confucius.
There is no better investment you can make in yourself- and in your business- besides reading. Purpose to understand the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal (PESTEL) contexts you operate in. Keeping up to date on industry changes will do more than educate you on the trends, it will put you in a position of leadership- you know the old adage knowledge is power?

2. Improve your product
There is no better time to research into your product. Find ways of improving the design, finish, packaging, raw materials, branding and generally everything that helps your product gain greater market share. Better still, learn new techniques of making the same thing. This way you elevate yourself from simply being producer to designer. Another significant way to improve your product is to research into current trends and infuse these elements into your work. If for example you are into interior decor, you need to be constantly browsing blogs like Laura Bielecki's (captioned right) that is currently forecasting trends up to 2014.

3. Actively seek your customer
It is very often the case that customers find us. However, it might be beneficial to proactively seek out your customer. Go to the same social events they go, plug into their sources of information, actively listen to why they buy what they buy...in other words, get to really know and understand your customer. There was, for example an interesting meetup for natural hair enthusiasts a few months ago (check it out here). If your product line involves ethnic, Afro centric pieces, this would have been a perfect networking opportunity for you. Be on the ready with look books, business cards and references. Remember modern networking is about putting yourself at the service of your potential customers. Its about what you can do for them- not the other way around.

4. Collaborate on a project
Creative industry practitioners have often been accused of flying solo, to the detriment of their business ambitions. Truth is, while competition is necessary, and even encouraged, you go further if you can successfully leverage another product/service to enhance your own, and vice versa. Establish mutually beneficial relationships along your entire value chain. Work with an interior decorator for example and let them design your stall at the next craft fair. In return, extend their market foothold by promoting their work. Word of caution though- make sure expectations are clearly spelled out and even signed upon. And start identifying potential partners early- in other words, start before you start.

5. Travel
If you are looking to step out of your comfort zone (as you should), find inspiration and a fresh outlook to life, visit a new destination. The good news is that the low season in the crafts sector seems to mirror that of the travel & hospitality industry and you can therefore take advantage of the relatively low rates to see the world around you. And if money is the issue, apply for any of the several annual grants that support movement of creative entrepreneurs globally. Check out the Art Moves Africa website as well as Prince Claus Fund.

6. Teach someone else what you do
During our September 2012 edition of Jumpstart Thursday, we got talking about how critical it is to separate individual from enterprise. One of the ways we identified was skills transfer or teaching someone else how you do what you do. Think of it as an insurance cover- if you were incapacitated for one reason or the other, the business would not grind to a halt.
During this low season, there is plenty of time to identify an individual(s) and train them on the skills of your trade as well as other aspects of your business. And no, they will not 'steal' your ideas and take off. And if it turns out that they do, great! That will serve as your impetus to not only protect your designs through intellectual property law (IP), but also to keep creating.



Image sources (Bankable Craft: Putting Money In The Hands Of People, Laura Bielecki.com, businessmanagementstudies.blogspot.com, lorschberke.com, evaser.com)