Today we’d like to introduce you to Sushma Barakoti.
Hi Sushma, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Nepal and spent my golden young adult years there. From my early high school days, I always believed that economic independence gave status and that came with power, especially for women folks at home and in their communities.
When I came to the United States for graduate school, I yearned for a connection to my birthplace and the people that I admired, especially the women. It was around that time that I was introduced to three women-led artisan co-ops in Nepal. These organizations pioneered promoting and elevating women’s economic empowerment through organizing, training, and providing employment. However, the Maoist insurgency movement decimated Nepal’s tourism industry, which meant there weren’t tourists in Nepal buying their handicrafts.
I couldn’t stand by and see them go under. So, in 2002, I started promoting their handmade, fair-trade arts and crafts by selling them to friends and families. In 2013, I officially registered my business, Sunavworld, an Atlanta-based social enterprise that promotes sustainable, fairly-traded local and global gifts for the socioeconomic empowerment of artists and artisans, especially women.
Along this journey, I received support and best wishes from strangers, business owners, friends, and family. In particular, Start:ME, a microbusiness accelerator program at Emory’s Goizueta Business School, was instrumental in my success. The mentors I worked with in the program helped me propel my business. Today, Sunavworld products are in more than 50 retail stores around the US.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been some challenges along the way. I have a full-time job as Executive Director of Refugee Women’s Network, a nonprofit in Atlanta that inspires and equips refugee and immigrant women to become leaders in their homes, businesses, and communities. Because I’m so busy with RWN, I haven’t been able to spend as much time growing my business as I’d like, but I’m in the process of hiring help.
In addition, it can be challenging to ship the products from the Nepali co-ops, many of which are in rural areas, to the US. Shipping charges have skyrocketed and for a small business like mine, it is difficult to incorporate that charge in the price of the items.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Sunavworld retails and wholesales imported scarves, shawls, cotton bags, folk art, blankets, stuffed toys, and home decor made by hand by Nepali women.
Sunavworld is not just a business. By helping these women’s co-ops survive the wrath of Maoist insurgency, we’re making a significant difference in the lives of the 1,000 artisans that are part of the co-ops. We create demand for their paintings, fiber arts, and other products, giving these women an opportunity to support themselves financially. I’m very proud to have contributed, in a small way, to the change these women have brought to their own lives.
In addition, I take immense pride that Sunavworld practices fair business trade practices with the artisan groups. All three co-ops are members of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). Their products are handmade with sustainable materials. Members of the co-ops receive fair wages and benefits.
For me, it’s personal. I sell products from my native country. I can talk passionately about the products and the people that make them – because they are my people and I understand them better.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If you’re looking for gifts for yourself or someone else, Sunavworld products are simply a click away on my website. https://www.sunavworld.com
Anyone in retail can contact me about wholesale pricing or check on Faire.com
Product and interior designers can commission bespoke products made by our artists in Nepal.
If you want to volunteer with one of the co-ops, I can help arrange that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sunavworld.com
- Instagram: _.sunavworld._
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunavworld
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zedZIcseiQw
Image Credits
Bonnie Heath Photography- https://www.bonniejheath.com/
