Over the past three years, I have worked alongside Sara on formalizing MINNA’s impact strategy, which includes these annual reports, as an advisor. This report is my third with MINNA, and truly a special one. It is the first report (and my first letter) after I formally joined MINNA as the Chief of Impact and Communication. It is an honor to share space with all of you and offer some insights into my hopes for the future of MINNA.
When I began working with MINNA in my advisory capacity, I was drawn to the care with which Sara considered each aspect of running a business. She was able to speak with the nuance that so many founders struggle to grapple with when working within the artisan sector, and she came to each conversation from a place of authenticity and healthy vulnerability. Needless to say, our working relationship grew into a friendship that I have come to cherish so deeply.
At MINNA, we strive to create a sustainable and inclusive ecosystem where all people are respected, artisanal crafts are valued, and access to fair wages, safe working conditions, and continuous growth opportunities is the norm. We approach impact from a place of humility, understanding that true progress requires continuous reflection and adaptation. While MINNA’s impact may seem to be just one small part in a much larger picture, I strongly believe it can be a catalyst for broader transformation within the artisan sector. I hope to see MINNA inspire other (and future!) social entrepreneurs to reevaluate their approaches to impact, nurturing a paradigm shift toward vulnerability, collaboration, and co-creation that truly partners with community.
More than anything, I hope to see MINNA leave an indelible mark on the artisan sector, creating a ripple effect of positive change that resonates far beyond our immediate reach. Together, we can challenge existing power dynamics, elevate marginalized voices, and build a more vibrant future for the global artisan sector, recognizing artisans as the stewards of generational techniques and design.
I am truly delighted to present to you our latest Impact Report, a testament to our collective efforts and unwavering commitment to creating a positive and sustainable impact through responsible design and manufacturing. In this report, we provide a comprehensive overview of our social, environmental, and economic initiatives. From our ethical sourcing practices to our community engagement initiatives, each aspect of our operations has been carefully designed to uphold our values and consider our impact.
Finally, I would like to express our deep gratitude to all of you, our community, for your unwavering support, collaboration, and belief in our vision. As we move forward, we remain committed to the values that have been at the heart of MINNA since founding: honest, intentional, and human. I am truly excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and the opportunities to create an even greater impact together.
- Manpreet Kaur Kalra | Partner & Chief of Impact & Communications
CONTINUE LEARNING:
2021 Impact Report
Meet Our Artisan Partners
Manufacturing Philosophy
Vision For Sustainability
Photography by:
George Underwood, Skye Parrott, Kate Sears, Sara Berks, Ray Vazquez, and Leslie Estrada
