Shannon Sheedy, The Dharma Door
We learn or understand things in life as we need to ...
The delicate lines of stitching that thread through The Dharma Door’s jute baskets have been carefully crafted by some of the most marginalised women in Bangladesh, while the fibres of the store’s popular loomed bags have been passed through the hands of physically or economically disadvantaged women living in remote villages. Australian consumers wouldn’t ordinarily have the privilege of possessing such treasures, but self-proclaimed ‘merchants of goodness’ The Dharma Door have made the connection possible. Through partnering with dedicated artisans living in remote villages around the world, the company not only preserves traditional making methods but also offers an ethical means for disadvantaged villagers to earn a sustainable living. It was a trip abroad that first inspired The Dharma Door founder, director and designer Shannon Sheedy to take a leap of faith and launch the business, but time has proven that the changemaker was on to a good thing, with the handmade bags, baskets and homewares now stocked in boutiques around the country. The Weekend Edition put in the call to Shannon this week, to talk Fair Trade, community awareness and life lessons.
When was the last time that something took your breath away?
Aside from a very turbulent flight and many almost head-on crashes in Bangladesh… Last month I visited a Fair Trade organisation that was formed by an Italian former nun and former priest in the early 1980s, who are now husband and wife. They’ve created a sanctuary for hundreds of local people, providing sustainable employment, education, care facilities and much more. One morning we visited their therapy centre for children with special needs. Most were suffering from polio and couldn’t walk. We played on the floor and two children pulled themselves across to me and hugged me at the same time. It was one of those moments …
What’s the greatest life lesson you’ve learnt?
Compassion and empathy can go a long way to understanding why people react or behave the way they do. Take the time to put yourself in someone else shoes without judgement.
Can you share any special stories about how The Dharma Door has improved the lives of artisans in developing countries?
Every artisan who we work with has a personal story about empowerment and transformation. A story that has stuck with me from my trip to Bangladesh last month is one of a community that has grown tobacco and rolled cigarettes for a large multinational company since the early 1970s. Our jute baskets are now being produced in this community, which has enabled women to give up cigarette rolling – which earns them 16 cents per 1000 – and earn a living wage. As a result, families have been able to rebuild their homes with permanent materials instead of bamboo and mud, which makes life easier during monsoon season. They’ve also been able to buy land, plant food crops or set up small businesses. The NGO that we work with here has built clever spaces that are schoolrooms in the morning and basket-production centres in the afternoon, ensuring all the artisans’ children also receive an education. I loved how the women laughed, slightly embarrassed, as they shared how much they enjoy being able to go to the market and buy their own new clothes!
What motivated you to launch The Dharma Door?
We spent a year volunteering in Nepal and India in 2003. I learnt that donations and aid play a very important role in certain circumstances. For long-term development, however, disadvantaged people need education, skills training and local and global market opportunities, among other things. Sustainable economic empowerment can effectively break the poverty cycle – and that’s the essence of Fair Trade. I saw an opportunity to develop a business with Fair Trade principles and have remained committed to those principles since.
What was the biggest challenge in getting the business off the ground?
Designing products that have broad appeal and helping the artisans achieve the level of quality expected by our customers. Generating an understanding of the connection between our products and Fair Trade also took a long time – there is greater awareness about ethical consumerism now than there was ten years ago!
If you could communicate one key message about Fair Trade to the consumers of Brisbane, what would it be?
Fair Trade is known for its principles of fair wages, sustainable opportunities and no child labour; however, the knock-on benefits also have a profound impact. I’ve heard directly from artisans about the health of their community improving, about girls in their village being educated for the first time, about the reduction of domestic violence and, perhaps most importantly, about the sense of dignity they experience from contributing to improving the lives of their family members.
What are your personal favourite products from The Dharma Door?
Our jute basket collection continues to be my favourite – the baskets are beautifully woven, timeless and have been our best sellers for many years. I design our products with a balance of the artisans’ skills, available raw materials, consumer appeal and viability in mind.
What can you tell us about some of the makers behind the products?
The majority of artisans we work with are women living in small rural villages throughout Bangladesh. They’re organised in groups under NGOs who seek out the most marginalised people to train in traditional craft skills. The women are usually wives and mothers who make our products at home or in their village around caring for their families. Some are women who have been divorced, ostracised from their community or escaped slavery. For most, this is the first generation that has been able to earn a living wage.
Can you recommend any books or blogs for readers who want to learn more?
The Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand (FTAANZ) is a member-based association dedicated to Fair Trade within our region. On the website you’ll find information about events, communities, network groups, volunteering and membership. They also have a link to Fair Traders of Australia, which is a program for businesses seeking endorsement as credible Fair Trade businesses. The World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) website is a great global resource.
What are some other ethical brands we should be supporting?
Better World Arts, One Colour, Etiko, Oxfam, Armadillo&Co, One Another Design, People Tree …
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Ever since I can remember, my mum has said, ‘Whatever you choose in life, be sure it makes you happy!’
What’s your idea of complete happiness?
A balance of great interpersonal relationships, feeling fulfilled in my work, helping others, financial security, a sense of gratitude, good health, weekends off, regular holidays, having a connection with nature, living where I want to live, good food and wine, pursuing dreams …
What’s worth fighting for?
That last glass of wine in the bottle! No, there are many things worth fighting for; I’m passionate about human rights and the environment.
What is your greatest fear?
Losing my freedom.
What are your words of wisdom?
You don’t know until you know. There’s no point in beating yourself up over things that you didn’t do, say or choose in hindsight if you didn’t know at the time. We learn or understand things in life as we need to. Cut yourself some slack.
What’s your personal definition of success?
Success isn’t only achieving an end goal, it’s also about the creation of those goals or the seed of an idea and all the steps along the way. Learning from the challenges and celebrating the victories. No matter how small the steps, they are in themselves a form of success.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk-up … at home with music. We live on a few acres at the top of a hill in the Byron Bay hinterland and I love it!
Relax … at home. I find gardening and cooking the perfect antidote to working at a computer all week.
Shop … Lismore or Bangalow produce markets on a Saturday morning.
Catch-up … local wood-fired pizza or degustation nights are great for catching up with friends.
Be inspired … the beach, a rainforest, the local markets, socialising, magazines, books, social media …