Rich took a year away from a high-paying corporate job and traveled the world living in the homes and villages of local people in far off places. During that time he saw artisans in the Philippines making paper from local materials (many off the jungle floor) and thought, “If only they had a way to market these talents.”
Distant Village Packaging is today a growing part of the Nashville Wraps family. I say family because I have enjoyed dinner in Rich’s Chicago apartment as well as having him in my home out on the farm. But it is more than that, much more; so as Paul Harvey said many times, “Here is the rest of the story…”
This is due to Rich’s understanding of what sustainability really is, plus his generous and concerned heart. Sustainability, as Rich defines it is a three-part process which includes Environmental, Economic and Social pillars of sustainability. Unlike many concepts of sustainability today that only include the environmental aspect, Distant Village’s philosophy is different and refreshing, but more importantly it is a great model for all of us.
Recently, I had the pleasure to introduce Rich’s Philippine partner to the finer, more cultured aspect of life in Nashville… Yes, I took them Honky Tonking!
Arlene who lives in the Philippines and serves as the main contact for the artisans scattered in small villages and communities had never heard a Johnny Cash song, much less Elvis. I told her to be prepared for a radical experience as we entered Legions Corner on lower Broad.
Arlene told me a secret I will not soon forget…
During dinner I asked Arlene if she is making any money with the Distant Village project. Much to my surprise in the din of downtown noise she said in her quiet voice that it wasn’t her goal to make money. “I’m doing it for the people,” she said. As Rich has told me many times, it is about bringing sustainability to the families, farmers, paper makers, artisans and all the rest.
Arlene said that during the summer they had no “PO”. What she meant hit home. They did not have a purchase order from Nashville Wraps to make more Distant Village products, so the villages simply had no income. Arlene of course helped them as best she could. To Rich and Arlene it has been and always is about the people in the Philippines. We so often get caught up looking at the products and the numbers that we forget the people behind them. I did.
I’m going to try and wind this article up, but I did want to leave you with a couple thoughts about Distant Village products.
They can make your business unique and desirable with custom hand made packaging. Whether it is a cool box made from cacao fibers, gift wrap made from mulberry leaves, or a banana paper bag with wild reed handles, it will be impressive to your customer and will set you apart. The quantities are reasonable for custom orders; they simply require some lead time.
If you are just getting into organic, green or artisan products and need packaging, but don’t want it custom made, then take a look at the stock Distant Village offerings at Nashville Wraps. Not only will it create interest in what you are packaging, it will make a huge difference in the lives of the many real people behind all those products.
Robby Meadows
Nashville Wraps
For more about the Distant Village Philosophy and mission, visit http://www.distantvillage.com.
