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About Swahili Imports
Swahili Imports collaborates with hundreds of skilled artisans in developing countries to cultivate profitable endeavors that enrich lives, communities, and the world at large.
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“ I have worked with Swahili Imports for about 10 years [and] I have in the process learnt new skills which have bettered the quality of my products. Swahili Imports has been such a blessing to me, because my livelihood has improved considerably and I have been able to meet my financial obligations without difficulties. ” --- Pamela Dinah Khakali, Kenyan artisan
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Our Mission Statement
Swahili Imports collaborates with hundreds of skilled artisans in developing countries to cultivate profitable endeavors that enrich lives, communities, and the world at large.
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About the Company
Thousands of unique contemporary handmade pieces of art, reminiscent of the craft traditions of Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Mozambique, Mali, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Senegal represent Swahili Imports, a leader in the market. After more than nine years in business, Swahili Imports continues to foster social awareness about global interactions with Africa. Owner Leslie Mittelberg works with advocacy organizations like Aid to Artisans to maintain the principle of fair compensation for fair value; efforts that have successfully created opportunities in the global market that otherwise would not exist.
Swahili Imports currently supplies over 3,000 locations including the large retail companies of National Geographic and Disney, as well as educational facilities like the Smithsonian Museum. In a relatively short amount of time the company expanded from door-to door sales into two warehouses located in Eugene, Oregon. Mittelberg’s business continues to expand, but she prefers to keep her immediate staff small, with only eight full and part-time employees. Much of Swahili’s merchandising and promotional work is done in-house, a strategic decision that allows a greater investment to be placed in the reliability of the company and the quality of the merchandise.
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Design and Development
These attributes originate with the design of the products. Frequently asked about the successful growth of Swahili Imports, Mittelberg credits design as the catalyst. In an informational interview conducted by Business students from the University of Oregon, she stated, “ Our clients easily became bored with the same old item. I loved the idea of being part of creating the designs. So did the artisans. This [shift] dramatically changed the way we did business and how our customers viewed us.”
Understanding the complex process of design development and customer service, as well as personal involvement with artisans, suppliers, and customers, sets Swahili Imports apart. Design concepts, which include suggestions about materials, size, structure, and detailing, can take up to a year after presentation to see in sample form. Yet development and design of new products and materials continues to be an on-going project, attesting to its significance.
Swahili Imports also works with product design specialists from Aid to Artisans in Africa, conducting training sessions for numerous suppliers and artisan workshops. The training focuses on practical business information to impart an otherwise inaccessible understanding of market trends and product development. Through such education production opportunities continue to increase, as does an increase in available jobs, monetary resources, education, and generational stability.
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Positive Partnerships
Swahili Imports also works with product design specialists from Aid to Artisans in Africa, conducting training sessions for numerous suppliers and artisan workshops. The training focuses on practical business information to impart an otherwise inaccessible understanding of market trends and product development. Through such education production opportunities continue to increase, as does an increase in available jobs, monetary resources, education, and generational stability.
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At Home and Away
The employees of Swahili Imports are educated daily through their interactions and in turn commit themselves to understanding and awareness about the needs, lives, and desires of their partners across the world.
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