All Sorts Of - Boss Files: Nathalie Lim

LIKHÂ’s beginnings trace back to 2018. I was living in New York at the time and was shopping for a mortar and pestle, but struggled to find one that I felt was worth the price. A few weeks later I had gone home to the Philippines to visit family and drove past some artisan sellers in the town square. I came across the perfect marble mortar and pestle I had been searching for, sold by a hardworking artisan for a price much lower than it was really worth. My initial reaction was delight, but it was quickly overcome by an overwhelming sense of anger and disbelief with the injustices of the system that placed them in such a position.

I realized that living in the United States, I was in a position to help. I began doing research and looking into how I could increase their access to a global marketplace with fair prices. Though, it would take a little design intervention and product development. However, I’m Filipino and I felt that my unique understanding of both cultures and markets offered a well-rounded perspective that could drive significant impact. In the Philippines, we see many underserved artisan communities, 80% of those communities living in rural areas with impacted access to the resources that they need. And in places like the United States, there is a large consumer base willing to invest in ethically-made goods, 73% of these consumers being willing to purchase goods at a higher price with the promise that their purchase makes a difference in the lives of those around the globe.

After taking a few trips back and forth with many trials and errors, I started to see success with what I was building. I knew that this was something special and I wanted to refine the operations to see how successful it could become. And the rest is history!

LIKHÂ means “create” in Tagalog. It’s a word that’s commonly used for works of art, like paintings or pieces of music. We named our brand LIKHÂ as a celebration of the makers — Each piece is a unique work of art that represents decades of tradition and craftsmanship.

Our approach is guided by three key principles:

1. Design: We blend contemporary design with traditional techniques, contributing to an unique aesthetic. We continually explore and experiment with natural materials native to the Philippines.
2. Tradition: Although we create goods for the global market, we center the cultural techniques and practices of the artisan communities, honoring centuries-old traditions passed down through generations with the creation of each piece.
3. Inclusion: From ideation to production, we value the creative input of the artisans and foster close collaboration. We are a team!

We function using a process we call “co-creation”. We work closely with artisans to truly understand not just how each product is made, but the history it holds. From the choice of material, to the style of weave and the techniques used, every decision made is rooted in tradition. Likewise, we provide educational resources surrounding the current trends and preferences in modern design. We all work together to embrace unconventional ideas and promote understanding of all sides of the business. The result is an assortment of products that are beautifully collaborative in design, both wholly traditional in craft and modern in style. We don’t settle for compromise — Each product is fully representative of our artisans’ craft while also seamlessly blending into the shelves of your favorite stores around the world.

The core problem we’re addressing is the lack of access to the global marketplace, which manifests in three areas: supply chain, capital, and market trends. Artisans don’t have access to supply chain channels to get their products in front of the right audiences; profiteering middlemen set the terms. Artisans don’t have access to capital for upfront costs; they’re excluded from formal credit structures. Artisans don’t have access to consumer trend insights; their products perform less profitably than those designed with such global knowledge.

In understanding these gaps, we address the biggest threat to the preservation of their craft, culture, and tradition: the lack of demand. 26 million Filipinos are underserved and 70% live in rural areas. Most people work in agriculture or artisan craft, where such discrepancies are most prevalent. Therefore, the artisan maker base is aging. Instead of passing craft down to younger generations, families are deciding to send their children off to more lucrative careers like construction, nursing, or hospitality. Many artisans don’t have heirs that are interested in preserving their craft.

Our guiding principle of “co-creation” keeps us dedicated to the preservation of the craft while also giving the products relevance for a more modern market. It’s all a delicate balance of staying true to your guiding principles while continuing to adapt to changes as they come. We believe we can only do this if we work together and place equal value in the perspectives of both parties.

No two days are alike! Every day is a unique mix of building upon current success, pursuing new opportunities, and keeping the wheels moving. There’s a lot of context shifting and a quite a bit of planning, but also a lot of flexibility and nimbleness. There will be days where I’m meeting potential buyers, partners, collaborators, and peers non-stop, as well as days where all I do is make sure a big order gets packed and shipped on time. Where the biggest opportunities or problems arise, I’m right there with my team. And we have such a talented team! I see it as my role to empower them, support them when needed, and take down any obstacles in their way.

Learn as much as you can as quickly as you can. One of my mentors pushed me to talk to as many fellow entrepreneurs as possible. You’ll be surprised at how many people are willing to help and share information.

Know your core principles. Be clear about your values and what you stand for and never waiver. There will be many challenges and many variables along the way. Having a north star will keep you on course.

Find the right people. While you probably have to do everything yourself at the beginning, building a strong team who share your values will be crucial to your success.

In five years, I see LIKHÂ as an established brand that serves as an example of a successful small business in the mission-driven space.

We will be a business prepared to scale, with adequate resources and funding to take our business and impact model to the next stages. We’ll still be actively contributing to SDG goals (dignified work, reduced inequalities and responsible production & consumption). LIKHÂ will scale sustainably, all while reamaining true to our mission — We will not ever be solely profit-driven, but rather remain mindful of our impact on people and the planet. We will do this by continuing to prioritize the ethical sourcing of materials, fair labor practices, and community development initiatives.

We see a future where people are driven by social consciousness when consuming goods and products. When you buy something, you’re not just taking something home — you’re supporting a cause and casting a vote for what we as a society value and stand for.

The “beyond” — somewhere new I haven’t been to, like a new neighborhood, a new city, or a new country.

Neutrals! But I also love a splash of color every once in a while.

Dream big, but celebrate the small.

Wherever I can be close to my bunnies!

HANDWOVEN SCALLOP BASKET or one of our WHIMSICAL ANIMAL PLANTERS!

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