We were lucky to catch up with Priya Ramkissoon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Priya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

Imiloa Collective is a social creative enterprise that helps build and enrich the skillsets of creatives. Since 2012, we have encouraged diversity and experimentation in the arts, business and creativity across Southern Africa celebrating their cultural techniques and traditions, and bringing attention to the social justice faced by their
communities.

We empower artisans , women entrepreneurs and the underserved communities by extending their products’
distribution and supporting sustainable income opportunities. Highlighting the eco-sensibility and community empowerment, we preserve the importance of cultural assets – fusing traditional cultural and artisanal
crafts with contemporary design and sustainability.

The work that we do makes a purposeful impact that helps create economic opportunities for artisan and marginalized groups within Southern Africa where livelihoods, communities, and craft traditions are marginal or at risk.

As an entreprise we focus on unifying artisans as well as building a creative community where people from all different races, socioeconomic groups, religions, cultures, and ethnicities work side-by-side.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born and raised in the UK to African and Indian parents. Having such a multicultural background and upbringing, I was very fortunate at a young age to travel and experience various traditions. My wanderlust curiosity only grew further the older I got, and later in my PR and Media career in London, I was offered a job to work on a publication in Mumbai, India.

It was India, where I truly got the opportunity to explore and venture, especially to remote villages. I was able to discover the intricate work of the women and artisan communities and see firsthand their struggle, injustice & lack of support. Witnessing such circumstances, I knew I wanted to create an initiative/organization that focused on unifying artisans as well as building a creative community where people from different races, socio-economic groups, religions, cultures, and ethnicities work side-by-side.

So with the little funds that I had, I tested the pop-up concept in Mauritius in 2012. It was the first-ever pop-up shop in Mauritius. I converted a 100-year-old building into a boutique displaying our artisanal goods and sourcing finds. The response was overwhelming, and from that moment onwards, I knew I was onto a good thing and Imiloa Collective became to fruition.

Imiloa Collective has a dedicated team of artisans and designers in Mauritius ranging from embroidery, coconut
artistry to weaving. As a cooperative enterprise, we collaborate and support the work of artisan collectives and those from underseved communities from Madagascar, South Africa ,Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Chagos, UK, USA and India.

We also provide training, upskilling workshops, courses, one-on-one coaching sessions with experts, webinars and
events to help our creatives both economically and socially as well as enhancing their self esteem through empowering
and employing.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

In essence, manufacturing handmade craft products in a socially responsible manner involves a delicate balance of preserving tradition, fostering innovation, and creating economic opportunities for marginalized communities. It’s a journey of continuous learning, adaptation, and commitment to a socially conscious mission.

Having been in the industry for so long, I feel the following points below are essential to creating quality products with purpose…

1. Understand Your Artisans and Communities – Begin by deeply understanding the artisans and marginalized communities you work with. Learn about their skills, traditions, and cultural significance of their crafts.

2. Collaborative Product Development – Involve artisans and community members in the product development process. Encourage their input, creativity, and ideas for new products.

3. Market Research and Trends – Conduct market research to identify current trends and consumer preferences for handmade products. Balance tradition with innovation.

4. Sustainable Materials and Practices – Focus on sustainable materials and production practices. Emphasize eco-friendly and ethical sourcing to appeal to conscientious consumers.

5. Quality Control and Consistency – Implement rigorous quality control measures to maintain consistent product quality. This is vital for building trust with customers.

6. Pricing Strategy – Determine fair pricing that covers production costs, provides artisans with a living wage, and allows for reinvestment in the community.

7. Storytelling and Branding: Craft compelling stories around your products and the communities behind them. Effective branding can set you apart and create emotional connections with customers.

8. Capacity Building – Invest in skill development and capacity-building programs for artisans to enhance their craftsmanship and business skills.

9. Adaptability and Learning – Be open to learning from both successes and failures. Adapt to changing circumstances and markets.

10. Community Empowerment – Beyond products, focus on broader community development initiatives such as education, healthcare, or infrastructure to uplift marginalized communities.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

To effectively manage a team and maintain high morale, prioritize open communication, clear goal-setting, and regular recognition of individual and collective achievements. It is also important to foster a work environment that values diversity, promotes professional growth, and respects work-life balance.

Lead by example, demonstrating empathy, trust, and a commitment to your team’s well-being, while also addressing conflicts and challenges constructively. Create a culture where team members feel heard, valued, and empowered to contribute their best, ensuring a motivated and cohesive team that consistently strives for success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://imiloacollective.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imiloacollective/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Imiloacollective
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priya-ramkissoon-453463262/

Image Credits
Profile Pic: Mehryne Annooar