According to Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and the Giving USA Foundation, American corporations, foundations, and individuals donated an estimated $316.23 billion to causes in 2012. Due to natural disasters, the economy, and international conflicts, donations can negatively fluctuate for organizations, causes, and countries in need. Donations help give back to the community and the world, but is it a gift that keeps on giving? What happens after the gift is given?
In comes Taaluma Totes, backpacks that carry a country; where donations just don’t stop, they’re reinvested. Co-founded by Virginia Tech graduates, Alley Heffern and Jack DuFour, Taaluma Totes, which means ‘culture’ in Swahili, is creating an international, collective culture focused on jobs, sustainability and reinvestment.
To produce these handmade totes, Alley and Jack work with an American organization to hire adults with disabilities and they teamed up with
Red Rooster Coffee Roaster which provides leftover burlap bags for the backpack’s pockets and flaps. Made in America, the totes are crafted from a country’s traditional fabrics and each tote invests in the country through microloans. These loans help individuals in business-related needs such as starting their own business, buying farm tools, art supplies and other materials. Currently, the backpacks support microloans in Uganda, Ghana, and Indonesia, but Alley and Jack are hoping to expand into many different countries such as India with their
new crowdfunding campaign. After oogling over Taaluma’s backpacks, t-shirts, wristbands and key swag, I spoke with co-founder, Alley Heffern, on Taaluma Totes’ mission, vision and recommendations for aspiring business owners. Read on!
Tell me a little bit about your business model and your use of microloans. Why did you decide to choose this model as opposed to donations?
Alley Heffern: Jack and I played with a bunch of different ideas. We were reading Blake Mycoskies’ book Start Something That Matters and we were thinking about the giving back aspect and how it could come into play. There are number of different ways to give back.
We really liked the idea of microloans because as one person pays it, you reinvest into that country. It’s not a one-time donation. It continues. We think microloans are a really great way to give back to the country.
How do you choose who receives the microloans?
Alley Heffern: We use
Kiva, an American non-profit organization, to find different organizations for the microloans. Kiva works with microfinance institutions in different countries to provide money for fertilizer or small businesses. It is a great resource for people in the U.S. to find and support other countries. One woman was hoping to expand her small business. She had three kids going to school and the microloan provided her with the opportunity to expand her business. Once the loans are repaid, it is reinvested into another person in the same country.
Taaluma Totes provides jobs for Americans with disabilities through the Virginia organization, STEPS Inc. How did you and Jack decide this would be a part of the Taaluma mission?
Alley Heffern: Virginia and North Carolina used to be a huge textile industry in the United States, but a lot of work is overseas. Eventually, we found someone. We weren’t looking for something like this but it was an automatic connection. They were eager to take on more projects and we’ve been able to grow together.
They are able to find specific jobs for everyone in the factory. One woman is blind and she is able to cut off the loose strings.
Initially, we were hoping to find a place in the area and working with people with disabilities became a part of our goal and impact.
You fully devote your time to Taaluma Totes. How did you make that decision to forgo the standard full-time job post graduation?
Alley Heffern: We had already started the business project earlier before I graduated this past May. Jack was working full-time and over the summer, I started working. In our free time and at nights, we were both working on Taaluma, but we really wanted to see how it would take off.
We couldn’t really do both our job and our new venture and we wanted to pursue Taaluma Totes.
What is your vision for Taaluma Totes?
Alley Heffern: We are trying to scale up organically. We want to be the next backpack company out there. We think the social model is really important to us and we believe supporters and customers like the idea in the company.
What would you recommend to our readers starting their own business?
Alley Heffern: Jump into it and do it! Jack and I, we didn’t have venture capital or money up front. It was really just our money, but we’ve had help along the way. We’ve had a number of people help us along the way with our logo, our crowdfunding video. It takes more than two people.
We are working way more hours and making way less money and are having an amazing time. Don’t be scared off about the money aspect. Everyone can start something that they are really passionate.
Finish the sentence… “When life gives you lemons…”
Alley Heffern: … trade them in for mangoes!
Sounds like a lemon lady to me; be resourceful! Remember, you can support Taaluma Totes and receive your own tote on their indigogo campaign site. For more Taaluma Totes, connect with Alley and Jack on Taaluma’s and pages!
By: Allyn Woodward
