Social missions serve as driving force for many businesses

Global Business

Artisans and small businesses are gravitiating towards organizations that share their social mission.

CCTV America’s Rachelle Akuffo visitied one company fostering a creative community by offering an affordable work space.

Highlights:

  • Off the Beaten Track is owned by Greg Kimball and Wendy Hauenstein: a husband and wife duo who turned their love of antiques and vintage items into a business.
  • Finding themselves with more space than they needed, the couple started renting available area out to a wide range of tenants, from florists and potters to press printers and metalworkers. Many of them specialize in handmade, artisanal goods.
  • Some skilled trade workers prefer to sell their goods on Etsy, the largest online marketplace for handmade items.
  • Getting financing and over the legal hurdles as a small, specialty business are daunting tasks for any new entrepreneur. When English isn’t your native language, succeeding in the United States is even harder.
  • Originally a refugee from Ethiopia, Tilahun overcame the odds and worked hard to start his metal-works business, Abay Iron  Metal Workers.
  • Tilahun navigated complicated business regulations, struggled to get clients and even had equipment stolen from his mobile truck. His customer base has grown, largely through hard work and word of mouth.
  • Rising rent prices in many U.S. cities are pushing artisanal and creative businesses out of high-traffic areas downtown.

Professor Keith Weigelt discusses e-commerce giant Etsy

Etsy is one of the most well-known companies in the quaint economy. However, will plans to take the company public make profits the priority? CCTV America interviewed Professor Keith Weigelt of the University of Pennsylvania for more insight into the e-commerce giant.

Professor Keith Weigelt discusses e-commerce giant Etsy

Etsy is one of the most well-known companies in the quaint economy. However, will plans to take the company public make profits the priority? CCTV America interviewed Professor Keith Weigelt of the University of Pennsylvania for more insight into the e-commerce giant.