Oimei

Company Website

http://oimeico.com/

Phase

: post-launch phase

Company Description

Oimei is a socially-conscious business that economically empowers marginalized women in Thailand to rise above poverty. We bridge the gap between the women artisans in Thailand and wider international markets by combining a skill the women have with a growing untapped market. We source fair trade, hand made products made by the women artisans and sell them in new international markets. This creates opportunities for our beneficiaries because they are able to earn consistent work, and financial stability to provide for their families’ health, education, food, and overall livelihood. We intend to create partnerships with development non-profit organizations and equip the artisans with tools to thrive beyond poverty and implement their own social change within their communities. We strive for environmental sustainability by sourcing products that are man made with hand looms and sewing machines (not mass produced) and the materials used are primarily made from organic fibers and dyes.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

Oimei will source fair trade, hand made products from marginalized artisans in Southeast Asia beginning with Thailand. We will distribute our products through our website, trade fairs, hotel chains and various online marketplaces. Looking ahead, we will expand to local boutiques and eventually to wholesale avenues and larger retailers. Our current co-op partner is underutilized due to lack of fair access to wider markets, so as we generate more revenue, our plan is to enable these artisans to ramp up to their full capacity. We will simultaneously broaden our distribution channels and expand our product lines. This estimated revenue growth potential of 112% year-over-year will impact roughly 500,000 tribal people in year 2 of our operation and this trajectory will continue exponentially. We are committed to investing 25% of our profits in development programs in order to continue empowering marginalized women around the world.

Team (including key partners)

Aimi Duong - Founder Alice Chen - Marketing and Brand Awareness Jessica Jhinnu - Finance and Strategy Maham Rahman - Finance and Strategy Saumya Kodippily - Outreach and Marketing Partners: Thai Tribal Crafts (Thailand)

Discussion

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