Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendal Wright
Hi Kendal, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
A lifetime traveler turned import business owner, and it all started with a pair of shoes.
Like many others, I lost my job during the pandemic. As time went on I knew I wasn’t ready to go back to a 9-5, yet had no clue what direction my life was going to take.
During one of my first visits to Mexico I bought a pair of huaraches hidden away in a dusty little shop. I had never seen that style of shoe before and did not think much of them other than that they were cute!
After wearing-in my handmade leather sandals I realized I loved them so much I thought others might enjoy them just as much as I did. With a single thought, “I wonder if I could sell these?” I decided it was worth a shot to start an import business of artisanal goods. And BoHo Imports was born.
Using my passion for travel, I realized what better way to sustain my livelihood than support other people’s craft and livelihood around the world?
As my business grows, so does the inspiration! Today we work with almost a dozen different Artisans throughout Mexico. It’s a product with a face. A soul. A small business supporting other small businesses, which in turn supports a global economy.
With the right connections and love for travel, BoHo Imports shares an opportunity to support centuries worth of culture and tradition.
Because good shoes take you good places!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I suppose before any road is “smooth” it takes a lot of time, planning, patience, and hard work to be able to pave it. And not just a make-shift road that will crumble and have pot holes once weathered, but a firm foundation which allows one to easily pass through over a good length of time.
Any dream worth chasing is going to come with some challenges, to say the least! And obviously there are a fair amount of logistics with starting an import business.
How do we work with the manufactures directly? How do we get my logo on the product? How do we get the items across the border?
It took a lot of travel, knocking on random doors, and asking the locals what to do when certain issues arise.
The process seems so smooth now but looking back I am reminded of how much trial and error really went into propelling an idea into something tangible.
It takes being able to maintain the right attitude but also helps to have A LOT of support and encouragement along the way. I wouldn’t have been able to overcome so many obstacles so easily without either of those.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
BoHo Imports was created to discover hidden Artisans and make their craft easily obtainable by bringing handmade cultural artistry to your doorstep!
Every item is not only sustainable and fair-trade, but beautiful and practical. Where slow-fashion meets comfort.
We take pride in everything being handmade and our main focus is our leather shoe line, The Huaraches. There is a wide variety of options, including slip ons and high heels! And the best part is they all soften and mold to your feet perfectly.
At BoHo Imports, we are not reinventing the wheel but rather shining a spotlight on what can be accomplished by our own two hands, as was done lifetimes before us.
It is reciprocal and hopefully cyclical. Each artisan family we work with are the same as us, striving to support dreams and further goals while sustaining the heart of artisan craftsmanship, which has more meaning than may initially first meet the eye. It has a long history and hopefully it will be carried on in our ever changing modern world.
Through curation and cultivation of one small business to another, we also carry handmade beaded earrings, leather purses, handwoven hats, scarves, and more!
It’s fun. It’s creative. It’s quality products for the dreamers, seekers, and travelers.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The only constant in life is change, right? BoHo Imports has been going strong for 3.5 years and we only hope to grow and establish the brand more and more.
Currently, we hope that looks like an online store that can be a household name. Later on in future we would love our own brick and motor where people can experience not only the cultural goods from Mexico, but from around the world!
Our vision is to have artisanal sections from different cultures from all over. And of course also highlighting a section from local artisans as well, that will be called BoHo Local.
Pricing:
- Beaded Earrings – $20
- Leather Sandals – $45
- Leather High Heels – $65
- Handwoven Hats – $60
- Handwoven Scarves – $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.boho-imports.com
- Instagram: @boho_imports
- Facebook: BoHo Imports
Image Credits
Kim Utley Photography
