Greetings (Literally) from Peru
Written by Jan Jaben-Eilon Wednesday, October 26 2011
Snapshot, Grace Bateman Greene, founder Peru Paper Co.
Grace Bateman Greene first went to Peru in 1999 while in high school. She immediately fell in love with the country while simultaneously being heartbroken by the poverty and injustices she witnessed. She lived in Peru for nearly three years as a young adult. During her time in Peru, Greene was impressed with the creativity and industriousness of Peruvian women, especially how they sought to provide for their families in difficult circumstances.
She stumbled upon the idea of making paper and greeting cards. With just $100 and some lessons on how to make recycled paper and homemade cards, the ladies started producing cards. Encouraged by the success in selling the cards and providing extra income to the women, Greene moved back to the United States and continued to promote it.
Her work on this project and her desire to see communities come out of poverty spurred her to get training in economic development, first at the Chalmers Center for Economic Development then at Southern New Hampshire University where she studied international community economic development. She returned to Peru in the fall of 2007, and the full potential of the business became evident.
She enlisted the help of a Peruvian businessman to help manage the Peruvian side of operations as the business, Peru Paper Co., continued to grow. Now it produces and sells handmade stationary and paper products from recycled material. Greene was recently married and lives with her husband in Jackson, Miss.
Womenetics: Why did you decide to launch this business?
Grace Bateman Greene: I decided to launch this business because I saw the huge impact it could have on the lives of the women we employ. The story of one lady in particular made me realize the immediate impact a business could have. Azucena had been selling candy on the side of a busy street corner for just pennies a day. The worst part is that her three young children were with her. She couldn’t afford childcare, and no one else in the family could help, so they sat out there with her all day long. She did whatever other odd jobs she could come across to make ends meet, but it wasn’t working well, and she and her family were barely surviving. She made cards with us that first round and did a wonderful job and made more money in a few days than she made from weeks of work selling candy on the side of the street.
I knew I couldn’t turn my back on her because I’m compelled by my Christian faith to follow Jesus by caring for the poor. As John 3:17 says, “If anyone has the world’s good and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” I knew it was impossible to close my heart to her. Her story is just one that inspired me to start this business.
Womenetics: When you first started, did you have any idea how it would grow?
Greene: No. I originally thought this would be a small craft project that we sold to visiting groups in Peru. I never had any idea we'd have an online store where we sold our products to people all over the world in addition to having our products in retail outlets around the world.
Womenetics: What has been your biggest challenge?
Greene: Even though we've had international exposure, continuing to increase our customer base has been a challenge. Also, educating consumers about the importance of purchasing ethically produced products can be difficult, especially when so many people in our current economy are only concerned about price.
Womenetics: Where has the funding for the company come from?
Greene: The funding has come from my savings, from initial product sales, and from the generosity of family (primarily my parents!)
Womenetics: How are you planning to grow the business?
Greene: Through new partnerships with other businesses and designers, which will allow us to expand our product offerings. Also, I'm looking at doing new markets, both wholesale and retail, to get our products in front of more people.
Womenetics: Have you networked with any women’s business groups to help you?
Greene: Not any specifically for women, although it's an area I'd love to expand to. (I think women love hearing the stories of the women who make our products.)
Womenetics: Is this a full-time employment for you? And for how many other women?
Greene: It is full time for me; we employ about eight women full time in Peru and about eight part time.
Womenetics: Do you consider yourself artistic?
Greene: I'm not extremely artistic, although I like to think I have good taste in what I think is beautiful. I've been fortunate to partner with other designers and artists to help us expand our product lines.
Womenetics: Who has been your biggest inspiration?
Greene: All the women we work with in Peru are my biggest inspiration. Also, the encouragement of my husband and family inspires me to keep going when my work gets difficult.
Womenetics: What lessons have you learned from starting this business?
Greene: I've learned that starting a business is a lot more work than I thought it would be, but also much more rewarding. Even the smallest of successes is amazingly encouraging.
Womenetics: When you are not working, what do you do in your leisure time?
Greene: I love to run. I'm currently training for my second marathon. I also enjoy cooking, reading, and spending lots of time with my large extended family and my friends. I volunteer with different ministries through my church, specifically teaching English as a second language.
Jan Jaben-Eilon was a founding staff writer of the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Since then, she has been the international editor of Advertising Age magazine and has written for such publications as The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, Washington Journalism Review, and Consumer Reports. She is the author of soon-to-be-published (There is) Life After Cancer. Jan and her husband have homes in Atlanta and Jerusalem.
