Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andrea Stokes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Andrea, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I started my career in the field of community development working cross-culturally. Through studying and working in Uganda, Sierra Leone, and South Asia, I noticed a pattern: when girls lack education and economic opportunities, it leads to human trafficking. I began to see a huge need for safe and sustainable job creation – a void that can only be filled by profitable, fair businesses. Seeing the enormous need and with a practical, empowering solution seemingly within reach, I could not look away. This was the vision behind Swahlee, the business I started in 2018 to create employment for at-risk young women who face barriers to employment in South Asia.

Any business start-up involves risk. Many get off the ground through FFF: family, friends, and fools. No one else would take on the risk. The risk is compounded when starting a business in a foreign country, with language and cultural differences. Ease of doing business varies from country to country. It took six months to register my company. In the US this can take 2 weeks or less, depending on your state. Within the country where we work, we are not in a mega city, not in a textile or business hub. If my only goal was a financial bottom line, this is not where I would start a business. Add on intentionally hiring those who are unqualified by traditional standards. These ingredients do not make a successful start-up. This is not what investors are looking for; this is the kind of risk they run from. But this was the whole point. If it were easy everyone would seize the opportunity and lack of jobs for these young women would not be an issue.

Generally for investment, the higher the risk, the higher the potential rewards should be. This isn’t a traditional business with a single bottom line. While the financial bottom line is important, so is our social and environmental impact. And the potential rewards for this business are huge: breaking the cycle of generational poverty, breaking trauma response patterns, the empowerment of a generation of young women with ripple effects in their families, communities, and generations to come.

I’ve learned that risks can also be opportunities. I’ve seen employees enter without skills, and once trained, become skilled, confident experts at their craft. I’ve seen staff, once school drop-outs, demonstrate remarkable curiosity, intelligence, eye for detail, and leadership. These characteristics were already there, they only lacked opportunity to develop and demonstrate them. Individuals other employers would not consider have become our greatest assets. Swahlee would not exist without them.

The staff at Swahlee believe in our vision and they have become our greatest proponents. The idea that business can be honest and fair toward vendors, customers, and employees. The idea that women have huge contributions to make through work to their economy, their craft, their families, and their communities. The idea that this is not a zero-sum game, but that we can all win together.

When I’ve been tempted to give in to the fear of the risk I’ve undertaken, all I need to do is look around me at the Swahlee team, their reliability and resilience, and be reminded of the rewards. On the outside this may look like a risky venture, but it all depends on the metrics you use.

Andrea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Swahlee is a global sustainable fashion brand. Our production house is based in Assam, northeast India. Founded in 2018, Swahlee strives to bring honor to its community through job creation, excellent craftsmanship, transparent business practices, and leadership development.

Our work is grounded in 3 pillars: Effortless Style. Founded in Nature. Enduring impact.

Effortless Style: Less is more when you have the right pieces. At Swahlee we craft timeless, versatile, and easy wardrobe essentials designed to simplify getting dressed.

Founded in Nature: Our sustainable capsule collections are made with all-natural textiles: linen, cotton, and silk. Natural fabrics are breathable, temperature regulating, and more comfortable for the body. We intentionally feature artisanal fabrics such as handloom and hand block print. We strive to creatively utilize recycled, upcycled, and high-quality deadstock fabrics. Our goals are to preserve traditional crafts and promote a circular textile economy.

Enduring Impact: Swahlee creates career opportunities for women in northeast India who face barriers to safe, fair employment. We believe in the power of meaningful job creation to end poverty, impacting lives for generations to come.

Swahlee is about more than just clothing; it’s about empowerment. Fashion is a vehicle to empower individuals and elevate an entire community, making a lasting difference in the lives of many.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

At Swahlee, we make our clothing in house in our studio workshop. Everything is made in small batches with great attention to detail. We’re self-taught with advice and input from generous experts throughout our journey. We’ve learned to strive for efficiency without sacrificing quality. Some key things I’ve learned through the process:

1) So much of the art of dressmaking and fit is lost in modern, mass-produced clothing in the name of efficiency and cost. Whether it’s the location where the arm joins the shoulder, darts for shaping, or extra length so the front hem doesn’t rise up, these are details to look for.

2) Clothing today is not made to last. This is well known about fast fashion, but it is largely true across the board. Features of a well-made garment include: tight stitches; overlocking, flat-fell, or French seams; reinforced corners and pockets; self facing on plackets, collars, and cuffs; good quality (and extra) buttons. I also look for all-natural fabrics (unless for performance wear) and whether any patterns (checks, stripes, etc.) match at the seams.

3) If you are looking for a production partner, in addition to the above, it is important to know the vendor’s attention to detail and quality matches yours.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

At Swahlee we try to focus on and recognize the positive. One way to do this is giving teammates the chance to share their highs and lows for the week. We celebrate each other: birthdays as well as achievements inside and outside of work. Acknowledge and reward small wins. Appreciate people’s good intentions, even when the result is not what you hoped for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.swahlee.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swahleeco/