Table Colombia Challenge

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In Colombia we have unemployment problems, immigrants, roads in poor condition, country in peace process, corruption, among others. We need more cultural and social education.

In May 2019 the unemployment rate in the national total was 10.5%  the National Statistics Department (Dane) reported. A new report of Migration Colombia revealed that there are 1’408.055 Venezuelan migrants who, until June 30 of this year 2019, were in the country.

We have a variety of activities to create value and solve personal, social and environmental problems. Colombia is going through a temporary moment of social transformation, peace building and support for culture by the government. we are living in a developing country, so we need to be more competitive.

For those people who are looking for better lifes and new opportunities by making this proyect we want to provide  the opportunity to heal duels through the art of weaving, teach the ancient weaving techniques so that in this trade they will find new forms of sustenance,  well-being and self connection, in the same way generate job and create unique art pieces preserving our ancestral weaves to give people and spaces different energies and experiences.

Mikrama has a training program in tissue techniques such as reconstructive therapy for householders, Venezuelan immigrants and vulnerable population affected by the post-conflict. For Mikrama, cultural education is very important, we want to make a reconstruction of the social weave through the teaching of ancestral techniques to reconnect with our traditions and our traditional heritage as a therapeutic and healing tool. We are part of the creative and cultural industries of the country, we have the skill and talent to strengthen the brand and produce wealth and employment through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property that leads to the large-scale circulation of the product in the global market.

Mikrama is artistic expression, our pieces differ by rescue the ancient tissue techniques, by the compromise with environment through textile reuse and helping vulnerable population. we offer macrame wall hanging, purses, dreamcatchers, woven furniture for events, tapestry, functional creations, interior design and others. The artistic technique we combine are: macrame, crochet, dreamcatcher, loom, painting and sculpture.

We get the inspiration by nature and exclusive brands such as: Channel, Oropendola, Entreaguas wearableart, Dennis EmVera, Monica Urquijo, Silvia Tcherassi, among other. In most pieces we use sea sticks, shells, snails, recycled threads, quartz and stones.

When the client wishes to contribute to the design and customize the product according to their tastes and needs, we establish a relationship from you to you in order to familiarize, establish friendly relations, obtain loyalty and get as close as possible to the final result expected by the client. We know that this stage requires energy and time, therefore, it is included in the cost of production.

Products are packed in biodegradable materials and send with a special message.

Within the country we are living a key moment for the strengthening of proposals and companies that increase their productivity within the Orange Economy. The creative sector has a great impact on the economy, as it currently generates a large number of jobs, pays millions in taxes, and can present an economic boost, as these can, among others, acquire technologies that do not have and move the economy With the development of ideas. We will provide the opportunity for the Barranquillero public to return to their roots, to educate our cultural memory and rescue the traditions of our weaving ancestors with the purpose of converting the fabric into creative and cultural expression with a global vision to encourage the development of a small shows inside the great orange universe of tourist attraction in the city and abroad.

An October 2018 article from Portafolio magazine said: Currently, it is estimated that the country's creative industries generate almost one million direct and indirect jobs and represent 3.4% of Colombian GDP, surpassing other sectors. The goal for 2022 is that cinema, literature, visual arts, cultural tourism and software development, among other ‘orange’ issues, contribute about 6% of GDP.

Currently have an alliance with a design store in Florida and we are generating new alliances with event companies, design stores, hotels, restaurants, Exhibitions with recognice artists. We take the opportunity to grow in the modern macrame national and international market.

our customers are people who love art, people who take care the environment, people who like different things. The pieces of Mikrama are pure Art, we impregnate innovation, love, good energies and passion to final pieces.

Start a business in Colombia is the most challenging steps to an entrepreneur, there are still many procedures that make it difficult to create or legalize a company, A study made by Confecamaras revealed that 7 out of 10 new companies fail before 5 years, I ranked the finance the most challenging because we make exclusive and elegant pieces, we need some expensive materials  and human resources, so to struggle this challenge we are applying to opportunities from government, public and private entities to support startups.

Actually, we are in breakeven, there are month with great revenues and there are other with no to many. we know the potential business we have and for that reason we are looking for investors, partnerships, and other ways to grow sustainably.

Direct Competitors in Colombia:

1. Oropendola. Competitive advantages: we are diversified, they only make clothes in macrame
2. Ancestral. Competitive advantages: we incorporate crystal and stones in our pieces, that raises the value.
3. Fiffion handworks. Competitive advantages: we are diversified in different techniques, they only make macrame pieces.
4. Artisans who make things in macrame, crochet and telar:  we incorporate creativity and innovation, we make unique pieces.

Indirect Competitors in Colombia:

1. Design and art stores. Competitive advantages: we have a virtual tent, so, in that way reduce costs of operation.
2. Furniture rental companies. Competitive advantages: we make art pieces, different from common event furniture.

Direct Competitor Globally:

1. Deniss emvera. Competitive advantages: we are diversified, they only make clothes in macrame
2. Knots studio. Competitive advantages: we incorporate crystal and stones in our pieces, that raises the value.
3. Wild & feather. Competitive advantages: we incorporate crystal and stones in our pieces, that raises the value.
4. Waverly knots. Competitive advantages: we are diversified in different techniques, they only make macrame pieces.
5. Dreamcatcher and hippie shop: we incorporate creativity and innovation, we make unique pieces.

Indirect competitor Globally:

1. Maylina tribe. Competitive advantages: we are diversified in different techniques, they only make dreamcatcher pieces.
2. Design stores. Competitive advantages: we have a virtual tent, so, in that way reduce costs of operation.
3. Furniture rental companies. Competitive advantages: we make art pieces, different from common event furniture.

IP Protection: we are in the process of registering some of our artistic pieces in the protection of industrial design, this registration is done through the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce, has high registration costs.

During the 5 years since mikrama was created, it has participated in more than 10 fairs, of which alliances have been established and potential customers have been captured, they have valued art, handmade work, the founder has taught weaving workshops to entities and people in condition of vulnerability. When potential clients are informed of the social impact that mikrama is generating, they decide to support, buy and donate resources for entrepreneurship, we have received monetary resources, reused textiles, materials, paints, threads, among others. Without the support of all the actors involved this dream would not come true.

We have an alliance with a design store called Earth Magic in the United States.

Generacion Planeta Foundation is willing to carry out a psychosocial support to the populations with which mikrama has been working and new beneficiaries when resources will be obtained to finance the company's growth projects.

We have an alliance with the Caribbean museum to make exhibitions of new collections.

We are managing new alliances and sending design proposals to hotels, hostels, restaurants and event furniture companies.

Mikrama business model -Style Canvas-

A. Customer segment: The audience to which the product is aimed are those who take care of themselves, people with energetic spiritual beliefs, people who appreciate art and culture, designers, public figures, women and men between 20 and 80 years.

B. Value proposal: Mikrama's fabrics are distinguished by their authenticity, by the message they impart to the world, by their commitment to the environment, by being avant-garde artistic creations that follow the challenge of the 21st century. The innovative component of Mikrama is the integration of different creative sectors, it is the creation of artistic products with high social and environmental impact, prepared by the artisan hands of vulnerable populations as an inclusion process through training in tissue techniques such as reconstructive therapy, also heal duels through the art of weaving where energy flows as an exercise in reflection, creation, connection with oneself.

C. Distribution channels: - Participation in national fairs; Fair the Charms of the Backyard and Fair Buro in Bogotá and Fair origin in Cartagena. - Exhibition in shopping centers and museums; Caribbean Museum. - Exhibition in Design stores. - Exhibition in facilities and events of the Government and the Mayor's Office. -Alliances and commercial links with Design stores in Colombia such as: Home Decor, Ambiente living, Homecenter, among others. - Sales through the website with national and international shipments.

D. Customer Relationship: The relationship with the client is done in a respectful way. We grant the space and the freedom to the client to contribute to the design and customize the product according to their tastes and needs in order to bridge the gap between the company and the consumer, as well as maintain a close and loyal relationship on the part of the client.

E. Sources of Income: -Sales through the website and social networks. -Sales at national and international fairs. -Alliances and commercial links with Design stores in Colombia such as: Home Decor, Ambiente living, Homecenter, among others. -Exhibition in shopping centers and museums; Viva Barranquilla shopping center, Buenavista shopping center, Plaza del Parque shopping center and Museo del Caribe.

F. Key Resources: Trained work team, purchase of production materials, digital content.

G. Key Activities: - Training in tissue techniques and Training of the work team. - Creation of new alliances with distributors, hotels, design stores, restaurants and end customers. - Marketing with public figures and influencers. - Participation in national fairs (Feria Buro, Expoartesanias, among others. - We will have the support of the Generación Planeta Foundation for the dissemination and development of two lines:    1. Generation of alliances, agreements and compares in the creative industries sector in the city of Barranquilla and the Department of Atlántico.    2. Accompaniment of a psychosocial program aimed at women beneficiaries of the project. - Exhibition in shopping centers and museums; Viva Barranquilla shopping center, Buenavista shopping center, Plaza del Parque shopping center and Museo del Caribe. - Exhibition at Casa Manoa. - Photographic record of the entire process and creation of digital content for social networks.

H. Key Associations: -Key partners: Nutridel, Museum of the Caribbean, Casa Manoa and Generación Planeta

-Key suppliers: Polimanillas, El Artesano, Casa Rosada, Mil Herrajes, among others.

I. Cost structure: -training to the work team. -Production materials. -Wages. -Commercialization of products, -promotion and publicity

Salome Saavedra is shareholder of 100% of the company, she is professional in International Business, she approached art from an early age thanks to her mother who enrolled her in painting courses on canvas, ceramics and stained glass, dance courses, cooking courses, craft courses, among others. At 10 years of age with the teachings of a close relative he learned to knit and cook to make dresses and accessories to his toy dolls. Years later, in a self-taught way, he learned to make crochet fabric tops and necklaces which he commercialized with his friends. I participate in recreational training activities and accompaniments with the children of Fundacion Mi Ciudad con Vida, including the implementation of spaces to encourage and strengthen social skills and the integral development of being.

At the beginning of 2014 she created the MIKRAMA brand, its taste and passion for the art of weaving with components of innovation and creation of solutions for everyday life continued to grow to be transformed into artistic pieces made with exclusive and recycled textile materials.

Orlando Carvajal is an Angel investor of the company, he is a business administrator, has MBA, masters and specialization in finance. During his professional career he had the opportunity to work in banking for 12 years, he is currently an entrepreneur and director of Museo del Caribe in Barranquilla. He supports us in managing resources and alliances with people and entities, giving ideas and creativity to keep growing a innovate.

Andrea Garcia is householder, she Works in commercialization and production, she's really good giving ideas and works with us 2 years ago.

Keila Patricia Cordero is householder, She became pregnant when she was 15 years old, she is licensed in Spanish, she helps us in the production and in customer service at fairs.

when we have big orders we incorporate people in a condition of vulnerability who have been taught tissue techniques. these include: Venezuelan immigrants, women, displaced by violence.

For the sustainable growth of the company we require an investment of 100,000,000 million Colombian pesos, by generate employment and satisfy customer demand with our unique pieces. We want to adapt to the development of progressive strategies that generate competitiveness in relation to the objectives of the company and market the products with proposals in hotels, restaurants, furniture companies for events, final customer and distributors.

We project in the first year the generation of the following alliances and activities:

- Distribution and marketing with Rappy.

- Make paid advertising on social networks to increase visibility and brand recognition.

- Enter new markets by participating in national fairs; Feria los Encantos del Traspatio (Barranquilla Edition, December 2019), Feria Buro and Feria Origen, Expoartesanias, among others.

- Expand the international market by creating alliances with design stores, referring to this as a potential market.

- Creation of alliances and work hand in hand with actors from the Orange Economy ecosystem registered in the Census and Mapping of creators, Cultural Managers and Cultural and Creative Industries of the District of Barranquilla and the department of Atlántico.

- Launch the website to place orders and virtual purchases with international shipments.

- The Nutridel company will support us with healthy snacks for the production team during the execution of the project.

- Exhibition in shopping centers and museums; Viva Barranquilla Shopping Center, and Museo del Caribe.

- Exhibition in facilities and events of the Government and the Mayor's Office.

- Exhibition at Casa Manoa.

- Participation in convocatories for financing of the different public and private agents of the national and international territory.

- Alliances and commercial links with Design stores in Colombia such as: HomeDecor, Ambiente living, Homecenter, among others.

- Make alliances with public figures and influencers to guide our products in their social networks.

- Establish agreements with public and private educational entities to promote artistic and weaving education as additional conferences and key growth factor and exercise our right to freedom and equality before the law and freedom of expression and information. The Anthroposophist Rudolf Steiner expressed: "freedom is the condition for the existence of a creative cultural life".

For the second year, we project a staggered growth in the sales generated as a result of the strengthening and positioning activities planned for the first year of execution, supported by the installed capacity that will be counted from the training and selection stage of the production. Likewise, in accordance with the demand for budgeted investment for the growth of the project, sufficient financial muscle is foreseen between the second and third year to access banking services, mainly with commercial financing companies for entrepreneurship purposes and / or to growing companies such as; Mario Santo Domingo Foundation, WWB Colombia Bank, Bancamia, Banco Caja Social Foundation, Bancoomeva, among others.

By the third year, we designed the articulation of the educational offer of MIKRAMA and the offer of arts and crafts led through the District Houses of Culture and the presentation of business models in the artistic field with two-dimensional and three-dimensional pieces to potential investors.

Our innovative component is the creation of artistic products made by hands of vulnerable population as: female householder, immigrants Venezuelans, people in post-conflict. and others. in a process of inclusion social through ancestral weaves techniques as a reconstructive therapy.

For Mikrama, cultural education is very important, we want to make a reconstruction of the social weave through the teaching of ancestral techniques to reconnect with our traditions and our traditional heritage as a therapeutic and healing tool. We are part of the creative and cultural industries of the country, we have the skill and talent to strengthen the brand to produce wealth and employment through the generation and development of intellectual property that leads to large-scale circulation of the product in the global market In a country where peace is built, it is imperative to achieve gender equality that allows Colombians and Colombians equality for life and exercise their rights fully with the enjoyment of the same job opportunities and at the same time a society with greater inclusion , more equitable, thrives, democratic and in peace.

The Ministry of Labor promotes through its website compliance with Law 1257 specifically of the decree of the labor sector on 4463 of 2011. (Ministry of Labor, nd), the author exposes 5 important points of gender equality in the job:

1. Promotes gender equality and equity in companies as a strategic element for competitiveness.

2. Identify and reduce gender gaps by promoting and adopting labor practices and policies without gender bias.

3. It promotes the redistribution of social roles, involving women in traditionally masculine work spaces and vice versa.

4. It impacts the personnel with measures of reconciliation of work, family and personal life, encouraging the redistribution of roles in the home with co-responsibility.

5. Promotes a cultural transformation, where the work of men and women is valued equally and their contribution to the country's sustainable development is recognized.

Give the opportunity to the Barranquillero public to return to its roots, to educate our cultural memory and rescue the traditions of our weaving ancestors with the purpose of transform weave techniques into creative and cultural expression with a global vision that will promote social inclusion and the development of A sample within the great orange universe will generate tourist attraction in the city of Barranquilla.