This week, I’m honored to share an interview with a longtime friend and colleague, Sara Berks. Sara was the founder of MINNA, an innovative, forward-thinking artisanal brand based in New York, working in collaboration with artisans throughout Central and South America.
After 12+ years of building MINNA, Sara made the extremely difficult decision to close her shop doors late last year. Her business evolved organically, starting with a collection of eight pieces, eventually offering over 500 SKUs, and was certified as a B Corp.
Sara approached her business as a designer and maker, not as a traditional importer, carving her own path in building MINNA into a brand that straddles the artisan sector and the world of luxury home goods, which, as she says, “is an interesting place to live.”
She’s a leader in the field, having built a brand that was both design-led and impact-driven, with a clear point of view, a defined clientele, cohesive marketing, strong, unique designs, and partnerships with top designers and prestigious retailers around the globe.
A year after closing her doors, Sara kindly and openly shares with readers what led to her decision and reflects on what worked and what didn't. Enjoy!