Season 242 Episode 8257

S1 E74 - Empowering Artisans and Preserving Heritage Crafts with Navroze Mehta of Mela Artisans

"Navroze Mehta Discusses How Mela Artisans Aids Artisanal Communities, Combining Sustainability with Heritage Preservation http://s4g.biz/23apr24 AI Episode Summary 1. Devin Thorpe, the host of the Superpowers for Good show, introduces the episode and his guest, Navroze Mehta of Mela Artisans, a company supporting artisans primarily in India. 2. Navroze Mehta details the founding of Mela Artisans by his daughter, Sonali Matharu, as a response to the decline of the artisanal community in India, aiming to preserve heritage crafts and empower artisans. 3. The company’s mission is to provide sustainable employment to artisanal communities and sell their handcrafted products in high-end stores and department stores across the U.S., making luxury products affordable and accessible. 4. Navroze showcases various handcrafted items from Mela Artisans' product line, including a wooden bowl, a tray made of sustainable mango wood, jewelry boxes with bone or resin inlay, a candleholder combining multiple materials, and intricate marble and metalwork pieces. 5. The discussion includes the expansion of Mela Artisans beyond India to source from artisans in Vietnam and Bali, Indonesia, increasing the variety of handcrafted products offered. 6. Navroze explains the pricing of their products, emphasizing the goal to offer high-quality, luxurious items at reasonable, affordable prices without sacrificing craftsmanship. 7. The relationship with artisans is based on empowerment rather than employment, with Mela Artisans facilitating infrastructure, financial education, quality control, and design innovation for artisan clusters. 8. Mela Artisans is raising capital through a Regulation A Crowdfunding offering, allowing lower minimum investments from the public to participate in the growth and success of the company. 9. The conversation shifts to discuss Navroze's superpower, which he identifies as a passion for making a difference, inspired by his father's example as a physician dedicated to serving those in need. 10. Navroze recounts how Mela Artisans navigated the challenges of the pandemic, supporting their artisan and employee communities throughout the crisis, maintaining commitment to their mission of empowerment and craftsmanship. http://superpowers4good.com "