Harper Poe
Q: What inspired you and co-founder Molly Purnell to create Proud Mary (proudmary.org), an online textile design company that creates all of its products in collaboration with artisans in developing countries?
A: Molly and I met while living in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 2006. I had just returned from South America working with Habitat
for Humanity, where I fell in love with the textiles and people. When I returned, I knew that I wanted to start a design business that worked with artisan communities around the world promoting social change. Molly and I both loved textiles, and the wheels started to turn. We took about six months of planning and vowed to each other that this wouldn't be just another great idea but a plan in action.
Q: How did you decide to work with Nest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the lives of women in developing countries by providing microcredit loans to be used for the purchase of the supplies and materials necessary to begin and/or maintain art and craft-based businesses?
A: I had seen an interview with the founder of Nest, Rebecca Kousky, on CNN. I thought that the work she was doing was amazing, and since they were just starting out as well, I thought our two businesses would be a great match. I contacted them and showed them some of the designs that we were working on. They had just started working in Guatemala, and we agreed that our bright patterns would be a perfect match for Guatemala's style of weaving. Within a few months, Rebecca, Molly and I were traveling to Guatemala to work on our first textile collection and to seek out artisan communities that would benefit from Nest's micro-loans.
Q: Why is it important to support these women?
A: Women represent the majority of the world's poor. If we assist in giving them the tools they need to make a living, they will put that money into food, shelter and education for their families. Thus, breaking the cycle of poverty from generation to generation.
Q: What are the benefits of working with artisans in developing countries such as Guatemala and South Africa, instead of in the United States?
A: We want to provide a global exploration of textiles for our customers. Hopefully by sharing their stories and their work, we can engage our customers to become more aware and respectful of peoples from different parts of the world. The work ethic of our artisans is incredible. The pride they take in their work really shows!
Q: You and Molly live on opposite sides of the country. She lives in Portland, Ore. Is it difficult to collaborate and develop new products with such a large geographical divide?
A: Molly and I have been operating Proud Mary apart from each other for about two years. At times, it has been challenging not to be able to sit in front of each other and bounce ideas around, but we have been lucky to be able to take trips to Guatemala together to work on the majority of our product development. Molly is going to graduate school in the fall for architecture, so as of March of this year, Proud Mary is solely owned and operated in Charleston by me!
Q: Why did you and your husband, John, decide to settle in Charleston after living in New York?
A: John and I visited Charleston after our wedding a few years ago. He is from Southern California and really liked the vibe of Charleston. I grew up in Charlotte and lived in Charleston for a summer in college, so I knew I liked Charleston! We saw so much potential in the city and had a million ideas about projects we would love to do here. After a few months, we decided to make the move. We never would have been able to start two small businesses in New York. Charleston really embraces the entrepreneur!
Q: How do you drink your coffee?
A: Usually black but sometimes with a splash of cream.
Q: In addition to appearing in your own blog, lloso.blogspot.com, Proud Mary has had quite a presence in the blogosphere, making appearances in Martha Stewart's bridal blog, Design Sponge and Sunset Magazine's blog. What do you think is the benefit of being embraced by bloggers, as opposed to traditional media outlets?
A: Blogs offer immediate information and are often in the forefront of identifying trends. I think that blogs have a wider reach than traditional media outlets, and magazines often look to blogs for inspiration. Just think of how much time we spend on the computer, combing the Internet for the next new thing. It's very beneficial for a small business to be visible in the blogosphere.
Q: What is the best thing that has come out of starting and running your own business?
A: I have always had a hard time working for someone else, especially in a creative field. I always felt like I was living someone else's dream. Now, for better or worse, I own my ideas and my decisions!
Q: What have you learned?
A: Press doesn't equal sales. Not everyone is going to like what you are doing, and that's OK. Keep your message simple.
Q: Where is your favorite place to travel?
A: I am drawn to Spanish-speaking countries. The language comes with a mellow, laid-back mentality. They really live life!
