Profession / role:

Director

Company / organisation:

aspiga

Website (if you have one):

www.aspiga.com

My primary role in relation to fashion is:

Designer, Retailer, Supplier

I am looking to discover or buy

information on how to be an ethical retailer and supplier

About me / About business or organisation:

I set up Aspiga four years ago after visiting Kenya on holiday, and falling in love, not only with the country itself, but with their stunning sandals and so many of their other wonderful hand made products.

Luckily many of you also seem to love their products, so the company has expanded rapidly over the last few years (with thanks to all the help I have received from family and friends).

I now have 12 suppliers, who are individuals, with small work forces (not factories) giving much needed jobs to local men and women in their community. The work they receive from aspiga, they often tell us, ensures their livelihoods and that of their families.

I am especially proud that Aspiga, is not only selling some fabulous accessories, but is also helping to fight poverty in Africa through trade.

We also donate a percentage of our profits to The Brydges centre (http://brydgescentre.org), a children's orphanage just outside Nairobi, who struggle financially on a daily basis, to carry out their hugely valuable and necessary work. From 2006 to present we have donated £1,500 to the centre. The money we have raised to date has paid for three child to live at the orphanage for a year. We also fundraised for Christmas presents in 2008 for all 65 children, and sent out 3 boxes packed full of Christmas presents and blankets.

We have also donated over £5,500 from 2006 to present, to various charities in the UK, by giving a % of our profits to charities at retail shows we have attended.

I am fortunate that I now have a reason to visit this unique and beautiful country, with some of the friendliest and happiest people I have ever met.

Career history / Company history:

Worked for a charity called Business in the Community for 15 years before setting up aspiga.