Yay, I have a great shop to share with you all today called Dignity Regained! They specialize in fair trade goods crafted by artisans from around the word, but they're also looking to expand their shop with more handmade goods from independent designers. Let's take a peek at their store, and if you're an interested designer, read on to see how you can be a part of it!
What is the name of your shop and
where is it located? How long have you been in business?
Our shop is called “Dignity
Regained” and we are located on the second story of a local coffee shop called
“Eli's” here in Morton Illinois. We have had our online store since March of
2007 and opened our brick and mortar on April
1st 2008. Dignity Regained was born out of
a desire to help support women artisans in their business. Women go through a
lot! Some of our products are made by women who have survived trafficking and
are trying to reintegrate into society, or by women who have come from a
background of poverty. Others are simply by wonderful women (and men) who are
creating great things with their hands!
What sorts of items do you
sell? Who are some of the designers you carry?
We have bags that are made of all
types of recycled materials, rice and feed bags, plastic bottles, paper, and
vintage saris. Our skirts, tops, pants, and dresses are all Fair Trade Certified
and have 100% organic children's clothing. We also carry all sorts of jewelry
and accessories such as scarves and hats. Some of our best selling designers
include World Finds, Handmade Expressions, and Hagar Designs.
Independent designers currently include 2ReVert's skateboard jewelry and SayOhh's feather headbands and clips. I am currently seeking out more independent designers who value the same things we do... sustainable materials, recycling, and just wonderful design!
What sort of mood/design aesthetic does your shop have?
From $3.50 for a card to $80 for a great hemp and cork bag.
Our town doesn't have too many independent shops and has no options for Fair Trade. Once we explain the concept of knowing where your products come from, and realizing there is a story behind it our customers get even more excited.
Do you operate on wholesale or consignment? Do you accept submissions of handmade items from designers? If so, what's the best way for them to approach you?
Currently we operate on wholesale, but we can do both. Most of what we have right now is Fair Trade items from other countries, but I want to expand the amount of products we carry from independent designers here too. I'll be more than happy to look at submissions from designers. I'm currently on the look out for more apparel, wall artwork, cards, toys, and home décor. But I'd love to see other types as well. The best way to approach me is through email: tammy{at}dignityregained.org. And tell me your story too! I like to get to know my suppliers and artists, plus it helps me to convey that information to our customers.
What is the best thing about owning your own shop? And the worst?
Best part: The hunt for a great new find, ordering and then open the box and pull the products out and falling in love with them. But the worst part is getting everything priced. I have a love/hate relationship with displaying things as well.
Building relationships with artisans and good communication is super important to me so I love it when it is equally important to them. The worst part is when a supplier has awful communication. We are so small that we can get really tied up if one shipment doesn't arrive when they say, or it is missing pieces. When the supplier has a ho-hum attitude it is difficult to serve our customers well.
What is one lesson you can pass down to future shop-keeps who are just getting started?
It's ok to start however small you want, you just have to be a "do-er" and not just a "wish-er". Our online store started out with $200. $100 from my husband and I, and $100 from my sister and brother-in-law. And now we have over $3,000 in inventory in a brick and mortar store. It's a small store with just under 150 square feet of space...yet we have gotten so much positive feedback from the community. Hopefully we'll be able to tell you in a year or two that we have 1,500 square feet with much much more inventory! It will only happen for you if you just start moving forward.
What a wonderful shop, Tammy, thank you so much for sharing it with us!
Be sure to visit Dignity Regained if you're ever in Morton, IL (near Peoria) and in the meantime, take a virtual spin in the online shop and find more information about them in the Dignity Regained blog.
