VISION
I’m Somya, the founder of Mala Market - a woman/minority owned, non-profit market opening in the Montrose area in March of 2022. Our focus is set on providing local makers, crafters, and doers with a shared, collaborative space to promote their handmade goods. The market aims to encourage shopping locally and sustainably so that Houston can grow towards a more eco-conscious community together. By supporting small business owners producing goods made by hand in small batches, we can invest in our community both socially and economically.
Purchasing with intention moves us from consumerism and waste towards a sustainable, healthy environment. Mala Market seeks to encourage more conscious buyer behavior. By shopping locally, Houstonians can support their community economically and environmentally.
At Mala Market, mala beads represent linking the members of our community together with a shared purpose. The mala is a powerful tool to enhance efforts to connect with our deepest intentions.
Each vendor will be admitted after a vetting process to ensure their products align with the mission of the market to provide the community with responsibly made products.
We want to support our vendors and ensure they receive as much compensation as possible. They will pay rent based on the amount of space they use, but the market will not collect commission for sales. As a non-profit, we are able to stay committed to our team of vendors and utilize the space in ways that help advance their businesses.
Long term sustainable practices that prioritize the longevity of our Mother Earth by supporting local businesses is a practice our community will support. Please consider Mala Market and its mission as a movement towards developing more conscious consumer behaviors.
GETTING STARTED
Mala Market will promote Houston area small business and provide the city with sustainable consumer options by:
· Providing an affordable, accessible, visible storefront for local makers, crafters and artists to display and sell their work
· Putting a vetting process in place to ensure every vendor aligns with the mission of the market
· Offering community members opportunities to purchase responsibly made, sustainable items
· Serving as a business incubator for local crafters and artists seeking to improve their skills or advance their crafting status from a hobby to cottage industry
· Providing a space for small business owners that cannot afford their own brick and mortar or do not have plans to expand their business further
· Encouraging community enrichment, engagement, and participation by hosting demonstrations, workshops, exhibitions, and activities
· Creating a space for small businesses to connect, support, collaborate, and build relationships with one another
GIVING BACK
Once established, Mala Market will invest in the greater Houston community by:
· Making annual donations to a mindfully selected local grass roots organization/charity which develops solutions and strategies for a healthier environment
· Allocating funds to set up quarterly fundraising events, classes and workshops for the community to engage in the practice of various skills and crafts
· Improving quality of life by providing talks and discussions highlighting a more environmentally conscious lifestyle
OPERATIONAL PLAN
How is Mala Market different from other cooperative crafter ventures in Houston?
It is a space uniquely built to promote and expand the local small business owners, artists, and creators of Houston. Our mission statement helps us align towards a healthier local economy and environment. Given our focus, we are not bound by monthly sales, but rather the number of artists and makers on our team that we are able to promote through the shop.
· Estimated startup cost: $40-50K
· Estimated operating cost including rent, utilities, computer sales system: marketing/design programs
· Estimated monthly income: $10K - $20K from vendor rent
· Cost for Vendors
o Monthly fee is based on space used: $5.50 per square foot
o Artists receive 100% of their sales
· Vendors needed to cover operating costs: 40 – 50 with an average rented space of 10x10 ft
· Hours of operation: Mon – Sat 9AM – 6PM, Sun 9AM-3PM
· Staff
o General Manager: Coordinates work schedules, keeps everyone on task, and serves as the overall point person
o Bookkeeper: Prepares monthly financial statements, reports taxes, pays operating bills and artists for their sales
o Inventory Manager: Controls stock and keeps things organized
o Marketing & Outreach: Promotional materials and social media content production will be designed and distributed by the in-house team of visual artists.
o Vendor Volunteers: Under the agreement with Mala Market, they will spend a minimum of 3 hours monthly at the shop in order to collect feedback on their sales and help with improving daily operations. This is an important means to facilitate their sense of ownership by actively participating in the success of the business.