About Us

Matthew Arnold

2009-06-03T23:45:48-04:00

about-us 3339762

2009-06-03T23:45:48-04:00

322112

About Us 2009-11-30T12:16:37-05:00 <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-11107097-1"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {}</script> h1. Aldea’s mission is to connect artisans from developing countries to YOU, sharing their authentic stories through the beautiful goods they make. h2. *Fair trade and microcredit loans empower artisans and entrepreneurs.* We work directly with artisans to facilitate access to international markets for their handmade goods; access that creates income-generating opportunities for the artisans that are greater than those available locally. The goods we sell tell the story of the powerful and positive effects of microcredit for impoverished people around the world. Each one of our artisans has had access to a micro-loan of just a few hundred dollars (on average) to enable her to increase her earning potential and improve her way of life. <img src='http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0032/2112/files/About_US.jpg?1248203756' alt='Aldea artisans use microcredit loans to produce stylish fair trade handmade fashion accessories' /> We believe in conscious consumerism. A greater variety of consumable goods available in the marketplace today enables individual consumers to be more selective, facilitating purchasing decisions based on factors other than price, such as economic, social, or environmental impact. We believe conscious consumers place greater value on knowing the origins of the products they buy. We also believe each artisan has an authentic, compelling story that can be conveyed through the handmade goods she fashions. Collaborating with artisans to promote their work through the inspiring stories of their lives, Aldea strives to illuminate the origins of the products she sells so as to create value for those products for conscious consumers like you! p=. *Content on this website is used only with the written consent of each artisan portrayed.* h1. our team <img src='http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0032/2112/files/Profile_pic.jpg?1248718018' height="199" width="180" alt='Matthew Arnold is president, CEO, founder, and chief social entrepreneur' /> *Matthew "Matteo" Arnold* *Principal, Director of Sustainability* Three years working and living with Mayan indigenous groups in Guatemala was an illuminating and instrumental string of experiences for Matteo. As a Peace Corps volunteer and later a Project Consultant for a weaving cooperative, he was able to see first hand the joys and struggles of families from communities where he lived, and he decided to take action. As his departure from Guatemala approached, he established a goal of connecting marginalized producers to favorable markets for their products, practicing fair trade with a focus on stimulating entrepreneurship. After studying at the "Acton School of Business":http://www.actonmba.org/ in Austin, he returned to Guatemala to learn more about microcredit and fair trade. Four months later, he was able to found Aldea and continues to grow the company while multiplying its positive social and economic impact. As for the rest of Matteo, he lives in Austin and sits on the board of directors of "Long Way Home.":http://www.longwayhomeinc.org/ He is a self-titled relentless social entrepreneur and playful social enthusiast, spending his free time discussing business ideas with friends over a bag of "gourmet popcorn":http://www.austincornucopia.com/c.php?p=1 or exercising among the parks and greenbelts of Austin. <img src='http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0032/2112/files/Cheyenne.jpg?1248742085' height="199" width="121" alt='Cheyenne Martin is director of sales and marketing for Aldea, promoting our fair trade and microcredit affiliations through our stylish handmade fashion accessories' /> *Cheyenne Martin* *Director of Sales and Marketing* Cheyenne's previous experience with social businesses and non-profit organizations gave her insight into Aldea’s mission and beliefs, and encouraged her to join our cause. As a student at the "Acton School of Business,":http://www.actonmba.org/ Cheyenne developed the tools and skills necessary to run a business. As an advocate for entrepreneurship, conscious consumerism and fair trade, Cheyenne joined founder, Matthew Arnold, in his mission to connect artisans from developing countries, such as Guatemala, to US consumers. She has gained meaningful and important knowledge while working with organizations such as "Breakthrough Austin,":http://www.breakthroughaustin.org/ "Big Brothers Big Sisters,":http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.diJKKYPLJvH/b.1539751/k.BDB6/Home.htm and "The Women’s Outreach Center.":http://studentlife.ou.edu/content/view/23/25 This experience helped her to understand the importance of the relationships we have cultivated and the ones we will continue to form. It will also continue to aid in implementing the operations of these social businesses. Cheyenne looks forward to helping Aldea artisans empower themselves as they take hold of their entrepreneurial spirits. As Aldea grows, her personal mission is to give as many companies as possible the opportunity to share the artisans’ unique creations with their customers. She wants everyone to experience a piece of Aldea’s culture. <img src='http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0032/2112/files/grn_square.jpg?1251825228' height="180" width="180" alt='Weston Norton works with Aldea artisan to promote our fair trade agenda through video marketing' /> *Weston Norton* *Social Media Consultant* See also "Reel Social Media.":http://www.reelsocialmedia.com/ <img src='http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0032/2112/files/aldea_pic.jpg?1248902569' height="199" width="153" alt='Maura Pauze is the design consultant for Aldea, creating the styles for our fair trade handmade fashionable scarves, accessories, and clothing lines.' /> *Maura Pauze* *Senior Design Consultant* See more about "Maura":http://www.linkedin.com/pub/maura-pauze/b/265/384 p=. "*BACK*":http://aldeaartisans.myshopify.com/