As many people acknowledge the importance of the [Sustainability], it is a critical concern for us as well. We are a “for-profit” organization. Therefore, it is important to think about growth… Yet, I try to focus on sustainability outside of the excessive competition in pricing. It is natural that a cheaper price attracts more customers, which will probably increase the sales, which may lead us to the growth. However, what if the item is NOT mass-producible? What would happen if a company with “lower-price” decided that it is no longer profitable & stopped producing? With so many decades of experience, I am trying to find the best balance of how we can keep the [Sustainability] between the maker/seller, the customer, and the environment/community.
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The photo is Natural Dye Sashiko Thread by Keiko Futatsuya. She hand-dyes the threads with abundance of care & love. It is one of a kind items, and we have stories to share the value of them. At the same time, the most important fact of this thread is that we keep using the Sashiko Thread manufactured by a specific, small manufacturer – who has been indirectly supporting our Sashiko. I think it is a good thing that Sashiko has become a trend. At the same time, some of the twisted/simplified information based on “capitalism/business” may destroy someone’s balanced sustainability.
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The choice that our customer makes to purchase from us is the fundamental & very critical support for this sustainability. It isn’t like the mass-produced items that no one knows who is selling, using, and distributing. Therefore, I make a package by my own hands to make sure that I am sending something I would happily use.
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It isn’t the style of standard business. From “Business Administrative” point of view, the business I dream of may have to go out of the market – however, I would like to keep trying to see what I can do so that We (as Sashiko Artisans) can use the same high quality items 10 years, or 100 years from now. I appreciate all who have made the purchase from us, and who consider trying our threads, tools, and other supplies.
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2023-11-30 00:30:34
