Think globally and shop locally
Vancouver store helps women artisans from Africa and elsewhere by finding a market for their goods
Shopping for artisans items from as far away as Africa is now easy thanks to Jackee Kasandy.
The owner of Locally Global has made it her mission to offer local shoppers a downtown Vancouver destination where they can easily find a curated collection of items from small brands and artisans from Africa — and beyond.
Kasandy recently chatted with Postmedia News about her boutique, the brands she carries and why shopping local for international goods can be so life-changing.
Q For those who aren’t familiar, what is Locally Global?
A Located at the Bentall Centre on Burrard Street, in downtown Vancouver, Locally Global proudly exists as a collaboration among women small business owners, focused on fair trade, ethical products and gifts that make an impact.
Q What can shoppers expect to find in stores?
A Locally Global is all about introducing small and independent micro-economy artisans and designers with unique yet practical products and gifts to Vancouver shoppers. Our collection of baskets, furniture, handbags, leather goods, fashion accessories, kitchen and dining, kids games and apparel, and more, are curated from dozens of different artisans with about 31 different groups and more than 10 countries represented. We look for designs that have unique details that set them apart from other mass-produced products and brands, many of our products are one of a kind.
Q The wares are more than just beautiful — they give back. What can you share about that?
A At Locally Global, I tell our customers that we believe the best aid that can be given is that of opportunity. Many people in Africa and other developing economies need an opportunity, in several ways: Capital in the form of micro-loans to start their small business and use their creativity to make a living; a market to sell their wares; and sustainability. By having our store — including online at kasandy.com — selling their products consistently, means we will continue to buy from them continually, including creating new products together. This allows them a sustained income, that they use to educate their kids, farm for food, and more.
Q Why is promoting African artisan items so important to you?
A Growing up in Kenya, one of my first jobs as a young girl was in wildlife conservation. I did communication, focused on fundraising. I was always so pleasantly surprised at how easily and how kind people, especially in the western world, were for wildlife conservation. Wildlife conservation receives three times more donations than human conservation. In my personal time, I volunteered for an orphanage, and living in Nairobi, it was easy to see the struggles of many families, but more so, I got close to experience the world of how NGO’s worked, and how aid looked like for “human conservation,” as I call it. ... Charities, churches and financial aid in the form of services in communities; water projects, school buildings, medical projects are well and good and very much needed, but progress would never happen if the local communities could not make a living to support themselves in the communities they lived in, educate their children and afford medical care. It’s with this knowledge that I always knew I needed to find a way to make that change. Having my online store kasandy. com and Locally Global store downtown Vancouver, and using my marketing experience gained here, is the beginning of that work.
Q What is your aim?
A My personal focus is on East African artisans, largely women. I collaborate with other like-minded businesses like Mondo Trading Company in Salt Spring Island, Lotusland Imports in West Van, Eco Fair Ltd in Coquitlam, One Leaf Creations in North Van and others to maximize impact that includes the rest of Africa, Nepal, India, Albania and more.
Q How do you choose which items/brands to stock in the shop?
A I travel to meet and cultivate artisan groups directly. Quality is the most important thing — for their working conditions and making sure I, as a business, and the artisans I work with adhere to fair trade standards.
Q What is the price point of items in Locally Global?
A Baskets including hampers range from $15 to $269, scarves including alpaca blankets range from $20 to $250; handbags range from $15 to $200, leather goods from $21 to $400, furniture from $300 and up, beauty products from $7-$30, kids toys, booties and hats from $5 to 30, local soaps starting from $7, fashion accessories from $10 to $250, canvas and travel bags and more.
Locally Global is currently located at 209—555 Burrard St. in the Bentall Centre.