Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Verver.
Caroline, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In December of 2015, I left the US for extended travel in South America. The original plan was to take six months & travel from Cartagena, Colombia to the southern tip of Argentina. But, I ended up having so much fun with travel companions I met on the road & falling in love with nearly every place I stopped, so I spent the entire six months in Colombia, Ecuador & Peru.
The time I spent in each location allowed me to appreciate more of the unique cultures I came across. However, after six months of travel, I still longed for a more authentic experience in South America (something deeper than just bouncing from hostel to hostel with others who largely share your own culture). I’ve always had an affinity for Andean textiles & artisanal goods & that’s what inspired me to seek out artisans I could partner with to create beautiful products that would be truly unique, but also have utility at home.
Over several more months, I developed close connections with artisans throughout Ecuador who now provide the material inputs for VerverWerks’ handmade leather goods & accessories. Today, VerverWerks is just over a year old & works with several artisan families who specialize in everything from weaving to leather tanning. I’m proud that VerverWerks provides full-time employment to our principal artisans who create our unique products, something that has been central to our mission from the get-go. At the same time, I’m proud that, together, we create goods that people at home truly connect with & that bring them joy.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m quickly learning that entrepreneurial life is about overcoming obstacles & not letting them bog you down. You have to learn how to become a professional problem solver. Thankfully, I’m surrounded by people who are great examples of this; their success reminds me of the power of positivity.
At VerverWerks, we provide a product that (literally) weaves together multiple cultures. It’s no surprise that miscommunication rooted in cultural differences is one of our biggest challenges. Even when you think the details have been fully hammered out, an issue will arise that goes back to a difference in expectations (set based on culture). You learn to assess what went wrong & to ask questions in multiple ways (rather than asking for a “yes” or “no,” you learn to dig deeper). My mentor often reminds me that “if it were easy, everyone would do it” & I’ve realized that our ability to surmount such issues results in VerverWerks’ value added.
VerverWerks – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
At VerverWerks, we design & produce versatile, handmade leather goods & accessories with an authentic feel. We combine textiles, leather & hand-beaded works of art to create statement pieces (from camera straps to Messenger bags) that speak to your soul. I’m proud to have developed a product that people at home truly love & that also provides opportunities to skilled artisans in Ecuador. Our quality is also of utmost importance & we’ve taken many steps to assure it, something our customers notice on an everyday basis.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I represent VerverWerks at pop-up events on a regular basis. There are always at least one or two people per show whose eyes truly light up when they see & touch our products & those moments are always emotional for me. They represent so much more than connection to a material item – they represent an entire journey that now is the source of entire livelihoods a world away. That makes me incredibly proud.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ververwerks.com
- Email: ververwerks@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/ververwerks
- Facebook: Facebook.com/ververwerks
Image Credits:
Paige Martindell
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