49 COMPANY PROFILE Tell us a little bit about the company. Where are you based? When did the company start? Koseli Handmade is based in Market Harborough, a delightful small town in Leicestershire. The company started 18 years ago as a market stall, selling fair trade goods at outdoor markets, village fetes and Christmas fairs. Who founded the company and why? I’m a happy and friendly woman in my 70s, a retired languages teacher, mother of four and granny to five cheeky granddaughters. I founded the company because I believe very passionately in trading fairly, both here and abroad. I love my yearly visits to Nepal to discuss orders with my suppliers and find new items to stock. The people I work with are hardworking and talented artisans. My customers here in the UK are small independent businesses owned by similarly hard-working talented people. I have made so many new, good, friends both at home and in Nepal. I loved teaching, but now I’m in a position to do something else I love. How has the company evolved? At first, I bought my stock from wholesalers in the UK but, after a trip to Nepal and the opportunity to take over the business of one of the importers I had previously used, I decided to start importing myself. Despite making a few mistakes along the way, Koseli slowly grew to be the successful business it is today, selling mainly to wholesale customers. What do you specialise in? I specialise in selling goods which have been carefully made by hand in Nepal. They’re always made from natural materials such as wool, cotton and hemp. The artisans are treated fairly and work under good conditions. Talk us through the current products you’re particularly excited about. Do you have a favourite? I’m very excited about my sewing kits. I wanted to give work to the artisans who are just beginning to learn the skills required; they cut out the felt shapes for the various items in the kits, then I write the instructions and put the kits together. At the moment there are three kits, but soon there will be more. My other new venture is sets of finger puppets. These come in a cotton bag made in Nepal and represent a theme such as farmyard animals, or animals of the countryside. There will soon be sets of five numbered finger puppets to use in counting games. Hobby & crafts have boomed over the last two years! Have you noticed any new trends? I’ve noticed that people of all ages and from all walks of life enjoy making things with their hands. I was taught to sew, knit and embroider by my mother when I was eight or nine. I enjoyed making clothes for myself throughout my teens and 20s, and for my children and granddaughters when they were young. I love the idea that current and future generations want to do similar things, particularly using ecofriendly materials. How would you advise a retailer who is interested in stocking your products? I would suggest they register on the website as a wholesale customer and then choose a few items they feel would interest their particular customers. I don’t have a minimum order or quantity, so it’s easy to see how things go. What sets you apart from your competitors? As I run the business almost entirely by myself, communication is very easy. I can deal with problems and questions quickly and in a friendly manner. My goods are sold individually and not in packs which almost always seem to contain one colour or style which is less popular. Do you visit any trade shows? Do you plan to visit any soon? I always attend the Spring and Autumn Fairs at the NEC, and I will be exhibiting at Home and Gift in Harrogate in July 2025. Earlier this year, I was at Giving & Living in Exeter and I intend to exhibit there again in 2026. What are you looking forward to most over the next year? I’m looking forward to sourcing more new and original designs of felt items, so that the business continues to grow and helps keep more people in work both here and in Nepal. What new products can we expect from you in the future? I want to stock more items for craftspeople to use in their own designs and develop the craft kits. KOSELI HANDMADE T: +44 (0)7812 161 168 www.koselihandmade.co.uk
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