Caledonia Argus

Katmandu Trading Co.ólocal guys with global ties

Posted: 11/13/02

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

A newcomer to Houston County can expect to encounter common rural Americanañ rolling pastures, grazing cows, corn rows as far as the eye can see. But if one were to happen upon the Katmandu Trading Company, however, one would discover a cache of items wholly foreign to Americaís heartlandñ Nepali rugs, Mayan jewelry, Kenyan sculptures, and a host of other exotic goods. Situated along Main Street in Hokah, this den of global color is the brainchild of two local entrepreneurs with international business ties.

Katmandu Trading Co. is owned and operated by Jesse Schultz and Adam Steele, both natives of Caledonia. The genesis of the store began last year, when Schultz and Steele were living in the Twin Cities. The business duo was operating their own marketing firm, and Steele was working at a technology company on the side. It was at this job that Steele made contacts with merchants from Nepal. The idea for the store came shortly thereafter.

ìWe had the know-how to run a business and we had the contacts,î Steele said. ìMeeting the guys from Nepal was the last piece of the puzzle.î

Though much of the merchandise is from Nepal, the shelves at Katmandu Trading Co. are stocked with items imported from twelve countries. Just recently they began importing from Kenya, and talks are underway with a supplier from Ghana. Items are predominantly handmade, and all are reasonably priced, so as to maximize the benefits reaped by the producers.

ìWe try not to mark the price of the goods up,î Schultz said. ìWe want to present our product at a fair price, and the more we sell the more weíre helping these people in the countries we import from.î

This attitude is emblematic of the approach Schultz and Steele have taken in their dealings with international merchants. Since the opening of the store this past August, Schultz and Steele have striven to purchase products only from suppliers whose workers are treated fairly and offered a reasonable wage. All too often, they noted, imported goods are produced under inhospitable working conditions, or are made by means of child labor. These elements of international trade, they said, are things they try to avoid.

ìThe dozen countries we import from are more or less Third World countries,î Schultz said. ìWe work with the Fair Trade Federation and they put you in touch with suppliers that guarantee that their craftsmen receive a fair wage. And all companies we deal with are either the natives themselves or tied to the natives and make sure theyíre paid a generous wage.î

A paradigm example of this practice is the relationship they have fostered with their suppliers in Nepal.

ìOur Nepali contacts are the royal family, so they look out for the best interest of the country,î Schultz noted. ìThe royal family owns something like thirteen businesses, and the rug company that they own, Formation Carpets, was the first business in Nepali history to offer health care to workers. This was about twelve years ago, and up until that point in time, virtually all of the rugs were made through child labor. They eliminated child labor and now they have adults spin the rugs and they offer education for the workersí children.î

Schultz and Steele have coupled this altruistic approach to international trade with the shrewd business practices they acquired while operating their marketing firm, and the result has been favorable. So far, business has been good, they noted. Incense and jewelry have been the biggest sellers, and winter gear is expected to sell well in the coming months. Their clientele has been a diverse lot of young and old, and the surrounding community has been receptive to their idiosyncratic inventory.

ìItís really surprising, because I expected us to be dealing mainly with younger people,î Schultz said. ìWeíve had 80-year olds in here and weíve had four-year olds in here. Itís really all over the board.î

If youíd like to peruse the assortment of apparel, decor, and tchotchkes from around the world offered at Katmandu Trading Co., their business hours are 11a.m.- 8p.m. on Monday through Friday, and 9a.m.-5p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. You will also be able to check out their retail items on the web in the near future at www.katmandutrading.com.

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