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FE HANDBAGS
Bead by bead, we will rebuild the history of this country.
How might we address the socio-economic challenges faced by the indigenous population in Colombia due to the civil war, focusing on mitigating displacement, homelessness, and forced street labor in urban areas?
CHALLENGE
The civil war in Colombia, ongoing since 1964, is the longest in the Americas and has had significant repercussions on the nation and its people. The conflict has notably impacted the indigenous population, leading to kidnappings and displacements from their lands. In 2015, during the Peace Accord negotiations, many indigenous individuals sought refuge in cities, resulting in homelessness. This year, I was returning from the US to Medellin and observed a troubling influx of homeless indigenous individuals, especially women, and children, who were compelled to work on the streets, perpetuating a cycle of poverty.
MY ROLE
CEO & Founder
Business Designer
Design Researcher
Product Strategist
METHODS
Field Studies
Competitor Analysis
Trend Analysis
Concept Testing
Business Model Development
SKILLS
PROCESS
Dual approach:
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Engaged in fieldwork to comprehend the challenges, systemic issues, power dynamics, and inherent strengths within homeless indigenous communities. This was accomplished through active engagement as a volunteer with both governmental entities and non-profit organizations dedicated to serving these marginalized groups.
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Undertook comprehensive market research to examine global macro trends among consumers seeking ethically produced goods, along with the distinct consumer segments within this landscape
PROCESS
TIMELINE
LINKS
Market Research of consciuos consumers
Fieldwork with indigenous communities
Design Research
Data Analysis
Insight Generation
Storytelling
6 months
There are:
Society
National, regional and local governments bore tremendous costs, which didn't effectively alleviate the problem. The situation perpetuated negative stereotypes of Colombia
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Stakeholders Affected
Indigenous
Indigenous women and children are forced to live on the streets in dangerous conditions. A lack of opportunity and education trapped them in this circumstance
Culture
Women and children were disconnected from their culture, and forced to sacrifice it to integrate and survive in this new society, creating a loss for Colombian culture
What I learned from the field work:
LANDSCAPE OF THE PROBLEM
What I learned from the market research:
LANDSCAPE OF THE OPPORTUNITY
RESULT & PROCESS
LESSONS LEARNED
One of my heroes, Iris Apfel, picked my bag out of a convention of thousands! But of course, not everything worked. However, everytime I fall, I believe there is a hidden reward in the lessons learned. Here are some of mine:
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Marrying business and ESG is crucial for sustainable growth. Sustainability isn't just a buzzword - it can be a strategic and core part of the business that creates differentiation between you and the rest of the industry.
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When looking to solve thorny problems, you need to experience what the stakeholders experience. Field studies are critical to understand stakeholder positions and needs.
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By taking a systemic view, we can understand the interrelationships between different factors and identify the main problem. Breaking it down into smaller manageable pieces allows us to analyze and solve each issue individually. This approach helps us to develop frameworks that can address the main problem effectively