Susan Wilson Solovic: Mary Schnack is a woman on a mission. Her business? Up From the Dust supporting the global growth of women micro enterprises, she takes products like these made by women in developing countries and sells them to women in America.
Mary Schnack: I started this a year and a half ago, I import items made by women in developing countries and bring them here to sell them, and I particularly target women in business and women business owners so they can help support their sisters around the world. Not just help them support themselves and their families but help them grow their businesses as well.
Susan Wilson Solovic: Mary gives an insight to one of the producers of this merchandise. The woman who made the necklace she is wearing.
Mary Schnack: It was made by the breast cancers support group in Kenya, these women are breast cancer survivors, all of their husbands have kicked them out after they got the breast cancer diagnosis. The ones who were employed their employers fired them because they were missing too much time for their treatment. So, this is now how they are supporting themselves.
Susan Wilson Solovic: Mary Schnack says this idea came to her after a life-changing experience.
Mary Schnack: I actually started traveling in 1994 to Africa during the Rwanda civil war. I just see this women and I see that they’ve got spirit, they’ve got integrity, they want to support themselves, and they want to grow their businesses. One of the main challenges they face is finding the markets for their products.
Susan Wilson Solovic: Mary says her website; upfromthedust.com is visited by consumers and suppliers alike.
Mary Schnack: They are so excited to have access to the US market, and they want to learn and grow. What can they do different, what can they do better in their products to make more sales. A lot of them keep track of my show schedule and contact me by e-mail and say, “How did things sell?” They are really excited.
Susan Wilson Solovic: There are several ways you can join Mary in supporting the global growth of women micro enterprises. Hosting and up-from-the-dust home or virtual party will help women worldwide. Spread the word about the need and expose family and friends to unique products and gifts. You will find more options at upfromthedust.com. I’m Susan Wilson Solovic, reporting for sbtv.com where small business is our only business.
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