Planning a Successful Sourcing Trip for Artisan-Made Goods
Regan in Alirio’s weaving workshop
Here at Casa Flor Designs, we pride ourselves on being a reliable resource for our clients on the ground. However, we absolutely love it when our clients visit! The artisan partners we work with also appreciate these visits. We encourage direct contact between the final client and the artisans because it fosters trust and builds long-lasting relationships.
Join us on a recent visit from Regan Billingsley, owner of RB Curated. She is launching her brand in April, 2025 and we can’t wait to share more with you soon! Based in the U.S., she planned her trip with us months in advance to ensure we could make the most of our time together. Here are the priorities we consider when organizing a sourcing trip for our clients:
Map of communities we work with in Guatemala
1) what are the new products they are interested in explornig?
It’s helpful to know ahead of time what kinds of new products the client is looking for. We work with 11 artisan groups and workshops, each specializing in a different craft or technique. With product ideas in mind, we can coordinate an itinerary that allows the client to visit the most relevant artisan groups, making the best use of their limited time.
Before the visit, we share these new potential product designs with the artisans to confirm feasibility and ensure they can execute the designs before the client arrives.
2) will we need to find new artisan groups for new products?
If a client wants to develop a product that cannot be executed within our existing artisan network, we source potential vendors ahead of their visit.
For example, Regan expressed interest in learning about traditional wood carving. At the time, we didn’t have any contacts for wood carving workshops, so we started our research! We always begin by asking people we know for recommendations—personal referrals save a lot of time. In this case, we didn’t have much luck, so we turned to Facebook and Google Maps.
If an artisan group has a Facebook page, it usually means they have experience managing orders and accounts, which is a big plus for us! Once we found potential contacts, we reached out via WhatsApp—our primary method of business communication in Guatemala. This is secretly our first test when exploring new artisan partnerships. We pay attention to how quickly they respond and whether they are open to a visit.
In the end, we found three workshops and scheduled visits with each of them. Meeting the managers in person helped us understand their strengths and potential challenges, allowing us to assess future collaboration opportunities.
Textile sample for Regan in progress
3) reviewing samples in person
We typically manage product development via photos and video calls, but nothing beats in-person collaboration! Being physically present speeds up the process and ensures that we can execute our client’s vision more efficiently.
During sourcing trips, we prioritize reviewing as many prototypes as possible. This allows us to confirm details like thread colors, design motifs, and measurements on the spot.
4) document the process
We often bring one of the many talented photographers we work with in Guatemala along on sourcing trips! Capturing the process not only serves as documentation but also provides valuable content for marketing strategies.
Once all product details are finalized, we dive into the logistics of the trip. We always prioritize making time to eat a meal with the artisans if the timing works out. At the end of the day, we love what we do because of the relationships we build with our clients and the artisans we work with.
Fried Chicken and Rice Lunch in Nahuala - YUM!