Vision

“Made especially for the love of life....Crafted by the hand, the mind, and the soul”

The idea, Artisan Coalition, developed over a conversation I was having with a group of dynamic women. These women happen to be a part of a group called W.H.I.P. (Women Honoring Integrity for Prosperity). We gather twice a month to support one another in our businesses under the unwavering leadership of Washington C.A.S.H., Washington Community Alliance for Self-Help (CASH), a non-profit organization that provides the business training, supportive community and capital to help enterprising individuals with limited financial resources gain self-sufficiency through small business ownership.

We had the desire to participate in local venues throughout the summer and beyond, but realized that we had a common barrier, the costly application and opportunity fees. So I proposed that is we came together as one, rent a booth together, and sell our goods together we could afford the fees and not have all our profits bound up in the expense. We agreed. And since our products and services meshed, there was no competition hazing our success.

I believe that this concept can work for a lot of other businesses especially in the economic times that we're in. My vision for Artisan Coalition is to utilize this great idea to inspire other women and men who are starting a business or who are already in one, to seek out like-minded entrepreneurs to collaborate in vending opportunities, business development, resources, etc. The idea is limitless.

The goal for 2009, to walk out this concept by participating in as many opportunities here locally in Seattle as Artisan Coalition and grow our membership to 100 collaborative businesses while opening the door to others nationwide to start their own collaborative efforts. The mission, to collaborate with artists of all medias across this great nation of ours and come together to support the handmade, the handcrafted, and the homegrown movement.

NOW is the time to blend, collaborate, fuse, gel, inspire, love, merge, nourish, partner, and share our talents to become thriving “American Made” businesses. We deserve it and I believe our country deserves it.