Armando Takes on Imbabura!

Last year the Ecudorian government, through the ministry of productivity (Ministerio Coordinador de la Produccion) launched a project called ‘Emprende Imbabura’, translating as ‘Take on Imbabura’. Imbabura is mountain next to Otavalo, and the name of the province most of our artisans work in.

The project is based on policies geared toward assisting small enterprises and seeks to promote dynamic and productive initiatives in the province

After about 6 months of assessing over 200 applications, the 9 winners of the project were announced in September 2011. Armando, one of our lead artisans in the area around Otavalo, was one of the winners!

Here a picture of the award ceremony. Armando is at the back.

Armando’s innovative idea is to establish an artisanal centre for tourists and artisans alike, with a new model for hosting and connecting with people. He has told us that this has been his dream for a while, now he will be able to put it into practice in San Rafeal de la laguna, where he lives.

In October 2011 Armando hosted our Andean Collection party at his house, he and his wife Carmita really know how to through a good party! On this picture you can even see Imbabura in the background, a view from Armando’s house. Armando and Carmita on the left standing out through his red t-shirt and her purple jacket.

The prize was $8.500, to be used for a business plan, market research and to establish networks of contacts that will help with carrying out the project. As part of the project the winners were also given training in these areas during the month of December 2011.

Here Armando is being interviewed by an Ecuadorian paper at the award giving ceremony. We usually don’t see Armando all dressed up for official business with the ministry, but he scrubs up well, don’t you think?