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Smartphone App Connects Kenyan Jewelers to International Markets

Published

8 years ago

August 12, 2016

High-tech initiative aims to make fashion work for disadvantaged artists.

San Francisco-based startup Soko has designed a smartphone app that connects over 1,300 Kenyan jewelry artisans to international markets, and lets them earn up to four times what they would normally, Forbes writes. According to the article, Soku jewelry is for sale at more than 400 retailers, including Nordstrom, the Reformation and Anthropologie, and the company just opened its first store, in San Francisco. “Soko is committed to making fashion work for the poor and environment, rather than against it,” Soku co-founder Peinovich said.

Looking for a Seamless Sale? Call Wilkerson

After almost 60 years in business, Breakiron Jewelers in Erie, Pennsylvania, was closing its doors. And the store’s owner, Linda Breakiron, was ready for it. She had run the store as its sole owner since the beginning of the millennium and was looking forward to a change. Of course, she called Wilkerson. Breakiron talked to other jewelers who had used Wilkerson and was satisfied with their response. “They always had positive feedback,” she recalls. With the sales, marketing and even additional inventory that Wilkerson provided, Breakiron insists she could never have accomplished her going-out-of-business sale without Wilkerson’s help. She’s now ready for the journey ahead, but looking back, she’d be sure to recommend Wilkerson. “They just made the whole process very seamless.”