Myakka
Emily Horton meets a home furnishings company committed to raising the profile of ethically produced goods
Spotlight on:
WHO Georgie Hopkins of Myakka
WHAT quality, affordable, fair trade furniture
WHERE 196 High Street, Guildford GU1 3HZ
HOW 01483 370740; myakka.co.uk
1. What do you do?
Along with my business partner and co-director Simon Whitehead, we founded Myakka, which, since 1999, produces and sells an affordable range of beautiful hand crafted, fair trade solid wood furniture, soft furnishings, lighting and home accessories.
2. On what guiding principle is Myakka founded upon?
We started the company on the principle of trading fairly and ethically. We are conscious that our conduct in business has an impact upon those who we deal with. Like ripples on a pond, we have an effect on those we deal with – both up the chain to our suppliers and down the chain to our customers.
Our business model is is simple: we aspire to be conscious and accountable to the people we do business with. To that end, we established a profit share system whereby when we buy from our suppliers, they pass on a share of the profits made to the artisans who make the products.
Likewise, when our customers buy from us, we pass on a share of our profits to community projects both here in the UK and overseas.
3. What is fair-trade and how does Myakka meet this standard?
The term 'fair trade' denotes a product which has been made using locally sourced, ethically-obtained materials and in its production, provides well paid, fair and just employment in an enthusiastic, supportive workplace.
The wood that is used for our furniture is sourced from sustainably-managed plantations primarily in India, Thailand and Vietnam. We work with small, family-run manufacturers and artisans, some of which have been working with us since we began.
We design and develop the majority of our furniture exclusively for Myakka, making regular visits over to Asia to approve product and develop new designs and to witness first-hand how their work with us is benefitting the communities.
Myakka
4. Tell us about your project with disabled children?
Since 2008, Myakka has had links with a school for physically challenged children in Rajasthan, India, which is part of the broader Indiability Foundation. As well as educating younger children, it also runs an artisan skills program for teenagers. It's an amazing project that trains young people in tailoring and seamstress skills once they have finished with their studies at school. Our new Sari Peacock Patch Cushion (pictured) has been made by them.
5. What are the different grades of wood that you offer?
Our distinctly different solid wood furniture offers something for every style and taste. First up, there is Sheesham – our Indian Rosewood, which is a beautifully grained, rich and dark hardwood. Also part of our staple collection, is Mango wood, which is ideal for lighter and painted finishes. A truly sustainable hardwood, it is initially grown for fruit and then only once it gets older and larger and stops producing fruit, the tree is felled and the timber crafted into furniture.
Finally, for our statement pieces, such as our Surin Infinity table, we use Monkey pod wood. This has a lovely, unusual grain, boasting a natural, two-tone variation.
Myakka
6. And your reclaimed pine ranges?
Yes, we also have two popular ranges crafted from reclaimed pine, including our new range, Milborne. It is hand painted in ivory but retains the nail holes and wood knots from the timber’s previous life, lending individuality to each piece: this range is as far from mass-produced as you could hope.
7. What ethical credentials has Myakka received?
Myakka has been recognised by the British Association for Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers since 2006 and has held the Ethical Award for corporate social responsibility since 2009. We are also featured in the Good Shopping Guide – scoring 100%, for the last three years, from the Ethical Company Organisation. This is a standard which indexes companies based on a number of factors including its conduct towards and impact upon the environment, human and animal rights.
8. And how do you work with the communities closer to home?
Working with the Surrey Community Foundation which is based in Godalming, we have established a dedicated Myakka Fund which supports grassroots projects. In Guildford, we support 4getMe-Nots a charity which helps isolated individuals, particularly those with mental health problems, by providing a safe environment in which they can make friendships, find support, build confidence and be encouraged to participate more fully in daily life.
We also offer funding to the Special Families Support Group, which helps children with special needs. It hosts regular meetings with guest speakers, and organises special outings for the kids, as well as relaxing pamper and craft days for parents.
9. What is GoodWeave?
GoodWeave works to end child labour in the rug and carpet industry. It is based on the premise that if enough people demand certified child-labour free rugs, manufacturers will employ only skilled, adult artisans and children will no longer be exploited in the carpet and rug industry.
Currently, it’s the only rug labelling scheme that carries out random inspections and guarantees a transparent supply chain. To a business like ours based thousands of miles away from our manufacturers, it offers assurance that the production process remains ethical. All of our best-selling rugs and kilims carry the Good Weave logo.
Ed Ovenden
10. Tell us about your rugs made from recycled plastic bottles?
These incredible rugs have the look and feel of traditional kilim yet are made from recycled materials including old plastic drinks bottles and are 100% PET Recycled. They are environmentally low-impact and can even be used outdoors as well – in summer houses, on patios, to turn your camping into glamping. Plus, they are so practical and easy to clean – they can literally be hosed-down.
11. How can we learn more?
You can browse our products online or give us a call to request a catalogue, but come and visit us on Guildford High Street – it is our first retail store and we are really proud of it. It is a real treasure-trove of touch-and-feel ideas. The shop front has two large windows which are used to great effect with our fresh and enticing displays.
Inside, the shop has an interesting split level design: on the ground floor you can find accessories and gifts; upstairs are feature lighting and mirrors, leading to the main furniture area where you can find everything from dining tables to bedroom sets, along with an extensive range of rugs, kilims and cushions.
For more information on the Community Foundation for Surrey, visit http://cfsurrey.org.uk; the 4getMe-Nots support group meets every Monday morning in Guildford
