Impact Journey

Design Club impact journeys are immersive experiences designed to inspire, cultivate personal growth, and offer deep insights to creating positive transformation in under resourced communities. Impact Journeys are unique adventures that explore culture, design, gastronomy, and entrepreneurship.

Title: ”REFLECTIONS FROM AN IMAPCT JOURNEY”

Interview with: Impact Investor and Founding Member of Design Club

Location: India, Tamil Nadu

Can you share what initially attracted you to participate in this Impact Journey experience focused on traditional craftsmanship in India?

My Impact Journey began with a premise I had been working on and investing in for several years: that some of the most endemic problems can be solved by applying good business thinking. I was interested in helping create enterprises that directly supported impoverished communities. I found that Nigel Majakari, founder of Design Club shared many of the same beliefs. Thus, his invitation to visit Tamal Nadu stemmed from our shared conviction, but Nigel went further and urged me to experience this firsthand, "To get out from behind my desk and computer and actually meet entrepreneurs who were trying to build wealth and change these communities.”

What was the most surprising or impactful cultural insight you gained from this journey?

I was amazed by the creativity of these craftspeople, many of whom work with traditions passed down through generations. I also observed that, while there was initial resistance to using more modern tools, that resistance lessened for most when they discovered that this wasn't about job replacement but about enhancing their craft.

How has this journey influenced your views on the role and relevance of traditional craftsmanship?

I came away with two thoughts: how can we preserve crafts, and how can we make these more accessible to wealthier markets? I immediately resisted the idea that we should be finding cheap labor to reduce the costs of everyday items for consumers in the "global north." Why couldn't we help them sell these products at enhanced margins, which would make a difference from a wealth creation perspective? Nigel took this a step further by engaging with exceptional Nordic designers who understood what many of these consumers wanted while marrying their designs with traditional crafts.

Can you share a specific moment or encounter during the trip that left a lasting impression on you?

As it happened, it wasn't with one of the crafts groups that Nigel eventually went with, but with an entrepreneur who was working with solar ovens. He had another light manufacturing business, which was essentially his family business. However, these ovens were where he focused his energies. Although he was better off than the people he was serving, he really understood them and their life situations, which drove him to test different innovations. I remember talking to him in his "office," which was more of a workshop filled with many designs, some of which were quite beautiful. Today, this problem has been solved in Africa and India by some very innovative entrepreneurs. But it hadn't been solved then. Unfortunately, he passed away a little while after the visit, so he never saw his dream in this area realized.

How might you describe this experience to a friend or family member considering a similar journey?

Seeing firsthand how craftspeople and entrepreneurs think about their craft deepened my understanding of their businesses and the economic issues involved. I have become an advocate for craftspeople, and I believe this is important because I see that much impact investment is directed toward interesting agricultural technologies. However, craftspeople are the heart of these communities. They are sometimes better trained and hold a higher status, but if they only serve that community, they are subject to the ups and downs of rural life. If their craft is opened to other markets, more wealth flows back to these communities, making a significant difference in eradicating poverty.