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Soko

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Soko is an online store that connects online consumers to global makers and handcrafted jewelry from the developing world. Through Soko, you can discover incredible design and creative ingenuity from communities that lay outside of the digital economy. An innovative global fashion technology solution, Soko was created by women for women to help “fashion a better world” through the equitable direct trade of beautiful goods between artisans in the developing world and web consumers worldwide. Working in bottom of the pyramid communities around the world, Soko realized that by leveraging technology and infrastructure in an innovative way, they could create a platform to enable any talented artisan to participate in international trade. Recognizing a global need, as well as global opportunity, to disrupt the systemic patterns of poverty found across the developing world’s creative economy.

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Soko’s solution transforms the mobile phone into a tool that expands access to economic opportunity for artisans in underserved communities, disrupting the traditional eport supply chain to revolutionize the way money and goods and transacted into a peer-to-peer and business-to-business exchange.  This technology revolutionizes international trade by using technology facilitation to cut out the traditional middlemen, reducing logistical costs and increasing profits for artisans.  Soko believes that talented artisans everytwehre should have access to the online marketplace. By providing tools and connectivity to global markets, Soko enables direct access to opportunities for entrepreneurial growth, adn streamlining trade while simlifying the process and making it transparent.

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Over 85% of women in Sub-Saharan Africa are self-employed in the informal economy, many producing crafts and handmade goods to make or supplement very small incomes. But their sales are limited to inconsistent local demand and profiteering middlemen.Soko follows the principles of fair trade, with the artisans getting the price they ask for the goods they produce. Through their artisan selection process, Soko work to ensure artisan is provided with safe working conditions and fair wages.

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Artisans design their own individual and unique products, mostly with natural, locally-sourced recycled and upcycled materials. Each independent artisan is supported in building their international market readiness through intensive on the ground capacity building, to ensure success and sustain the positive impact in their communities. Materials and process are as diverse as the artisans, teh communities and the locations. Items range from quill earrings, to coin necklaces, Swahili beaded necklaces, Maisaai pendants, carved bone cuffs and brass rings.

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Website: http://shopsoko.com/