Myth: They are the experts. After all, they are the leaders in the field with deep industry knowledge and abundant resources; if they can’t figure it out, then it must be impossible.
Not long after I started my master's in Human Rights, I became more aware of the stories in the factories. These factories, where our goods and food are processed, are located throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia/Asia. Reports frequently highlighted harsh working conditions, citing long hours of 16-18 hour days, one day off a week or month, no bathroom breaks, improper equipment, unlivable pay, lack of childcare options, and the confiscation of travel documents/passports. The list went on and on.
When these multinational brands were asked about these working conditions, their response was often something like, “We can’t be responsible for the well-being and safety of workers who make our products overseas.” Their justification was that they don’t know where everything is made, so how can they hold themselves accountable? It's out of their realm of responsibility, too complex and complicated, etc., etc. Anything to distance themselves from responsibility for their production and impact.
But my own life experiences showed this couldn’t be further from the truth. When I started building friendships with artisans I met at the markets, I would visit them often. Over time, I began to learn how they make their goods, where, and under what conditions. This journey went a step further when I asked if I could go and see for myself. Next thing I knew, we were on the bus traveling 6-12 hours to reach their villages.
All of this was challenging, but it was possible. It took time to build trust before they took me to their operations, but it was possible. The commute was an adventure, to say the least, and I was there for it.
Getting to the villages required all forms of transportation. It reminded me of the movie "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles," but it was more like trains, buses, truck beds, motorbikes, and tuk-tuks.
About five years in, I was still a solo entrepreneur working in nine villages, producing nine product lines (design, sourcing, and all) throughout Thailand. It would take me 2,500 miles to reach each of these villages, and I made this trip several times a year.
Why, you might ask?
I was committed to building Sapahn the right way, and the first step in this process was to go directly to the source: our artisans. This is the step most brands overlook, disregard, and try to hide—the face of the people who are making their goods.
The big brands said it was impossible, yet I did it. At Sapahn, every day, we strive to build a case study of how businesses should operate to demonstrate to everyone what is possible.
