What inspired the creation of your company, and when did it start?

I wanted to combine my two passions: Business and Missions in a way that would enable a traditionally overlooked segment of the population. We officially launched in December of 2015.

What is your brand’s mission, and what causes drive you and your team?

Bring high-quality and distinctly stylish hand-made leather goods to customers across the globe. Provide access to increased economic prosperity by opening the global marketplace to the entire artisan supply-chain of the towns in Guatemala where we operate. We are with the poor and will seek justice with them.

How is your brand socially responsible?

All of our products are hand-crafted by artisans in remote regions of Guatemala, a country with a 54% poverty rate. The artisans we work with have few alternative means to build prosperity for themselves, their families, and their communities. By working with Ambos, artisans have the opportunity to build their business in a dignified manner which creates a sense of pride and self-worth, which is what will keep poverty far from them for the long run.

What does your brand do to lower its ecological impact and/or promote environmental health and well-being?

99.9% of the raw materials that are used to make each Ambos product are sourced domestically within Guatemala, so no emissions are created by importing from other countries.

Does your company perform animal testing and/or use animal-based ingredients in your products? Why or why not?

Our products are made with full-grain vegetable-tanned bovine leather. The cattle are raised in Guatemala and the leather is tanned in Guatemala City before being transported back to the rural regions of the country.

Where does your company make/manufacture your products, and why?

Guatemala. We want our impact and partners to be an integral part of the business model, not just a donation after everything is said and done.

Describe your design philosophy – how do you balance quality and affordability?

We start with the demands of customers in the US and work backwards. We assess the style that is in demand and the required price point. Then we work with artisans to find the authentic mix of Guatemalan design, American demand, and price points that will work for everyone.

Tell us a little about the ingredients/materials you use. Generally, why did you pick them over other options?

We use full-grain vegetable-tanned bovine leather. We use this because it is beautiful and authentic.

What are the next steps for your company?

We will continue to roll out new products and grow brand awareness. We want to create raving fans.

How do you view the future of conscious consumption?

We think that consumers will increasingly demand that more and more brands operate in a socially conscious and demonstrable manner.

As a parting sentiment, if you could only use one word to describe your brand ethos – what would it be?

Development