Our Why, The Journey into Business.

Today’s post is in support of the #ShopEthicalInstead Campaign and I answer the question,

WHY?

This image is a 8 year #throwback, whilst MAYKHER didn’t form for some time later, it’s where the story begins. I was travelling with my now husband, Jon. Whilst we moved from place to place, all the time in the world to think, learn and grow I started to realise that maybe, just maybe, I might have what it takes to run a business. I started to think about what that business would be, at that point it was a company that celebrated women and their authenticity… not too far from where we are now, now we have extra sprinkles.

But the joys of travelling also came with stark realities. Mixed with paradise and culture I also saw extreme poverty, inequalities I never knew existed, severe issues with lack of health care, among other distressing sights. However at this point the prospect that I could do something about it was far beyond my comprehension.

Fast forward two years my husband and I took the giant leap into business and set up a design studio. I realised that I could achieve much more than ever I thought I could. The only person that truly held me back was me (and Ms Fearing Failure). The frustrations of the international issues I saw never left. After running my studio for a couple of years I discovered the horrific stat that there are approx. 130 million girls not receiving an eduction. Often because that girl was born a girl. A human’s fundamental right to learn reduced to a pipe dream purely based on gender.

And so, with no qualifications in economics, political affairs… I decided to use the skills I did have, MAYKHER was born. We’re using business as a tool to deliver good, to pay fair wages, support ethical employment and (noting that educating girls has been proven to be a viable solution to end poverty, to tackle trafficking, slavery and child marriage) to raise profit to get more girls into school.

This ‘why’ is at the centre of EVERYTHING. It keeps us motivated and stops us from giving up when things get tough. I’m thankful for you being on this journey with us, if you’re new here we invite you to stick around, as we learn, grow, fail, learn some more…

Our mission is huge. Our ambition is bigger.