Menu
Interview with the founder of Maha Loka
In today’s interview, we speak with Jamie Parker, founder of Maha Loka as she reveals how she created a line of sustainable hand made products to reflect the desire to protect the earth and its people. With people and the planet in mind, Maha Loka use eco-friendly and recyclable materials that leave little to no carbon footprint and help to support villages and people worldwide.
Thank you for wanting to be part our exclusive network. What were your reasons for joining us and investing in the Ethical Brand Directory / Academy and community?
I Jamie Parker, Founder/Owner of Maha Loka wants to be involved with like minded individuals who are shaping the change and disrupting a industry in a powerful and ethical way. I love listening and learning most of all sharing my own story, failures and success while on this journey.
Can you give me a brief overview of your brand and the type of products you sell?
Maha Loka was born from the passion to build a supportive community of individuals who wish to change the world through sustainable and environmentally-friendly products, but has evolved into something significantly more meaningful.
As we walk this earth as equal, yet unique individuals, our souls are filled with one spirit. We crave a world united in purpose to foster love, friendship, and acceptance. Through this foundation of ethos we create pieces with purpose.
What are the 3 most important things that people should know about your brand?
Fashion that gives back to the Maha Loka. Maha means Great, Loka means World.
Transparency
Traceability
Sustainability
Philanthropy
What was your WHY? What inspired you to set up your business?
The Maha Loka dream did not reveal itself all at once but developed slowly. Growing up in a hard working entrepreneurial family, I have always had the will to do things on my own and make change. Raised in a family of creators in the design field of custom furniture and cabinetry, I have always loved to create things and use different and more efficient materials/ products to last and be good for the whole system of business not just look good.
What challenges do independent brands like yourself face?
Setting yourself apart from what the norm is doing is a very difficult and challenging space to be in as a brand. We know generally people fight change and change is just what a group of concerned citizens with ethos and morals are doing.
Finances and just given a chance to prosper in a very deep and murky space to thrive in without lots of support.
Why is it important to be ethical in business?
Maha Loka is dedicated to not just designing beautiful and functional bags, but also to “seva” or service, ensuring we are building a supportive global community. Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk.
Running Maha Loka on yogic ethos and constantly growing in bigger and better directions.
What is the link to your page on ethics on your website?
What steps are you taking to ensure your brand operates as ethically as possible?
We are always sourcing and testing new materials, new ways of producing for sustainability and for longevity not just for the whats in at the moment mentality. Something should be created, kept and passed down, not just thrown away and buying a new version next season.
How important is sustainability for businesses? What are you doing in your business to reduce your environmental impact?
It is our foundation our mission, to create sustainability within the industry while giving back to the people and bringing together maybe a once divided side creating unity. We are currently using a system called R.IS.E through Ethical Fashion Initiative.
R- Respect
I- Invest
S- Sustain
E- Empower
What are you not doing in your business but want to improve on?
We could and are looking at sourcing a local creator for our brand as well as well as materials. Finding ways to help lots of spots within the world but honoring, shipping cost and what material is really better, is it the recycled leather given it a second life and or the new and improved PVC, we are always looking at ways to minimize our impact while creating products as well as making sure we are being effective in giving back during our production process.
What is the link to your page on sustainability on your website?
What is your supplier and sourcing policy?
Work practices and operations are guided by the Fair Labour Association (FLA) Code of Conduct. Through collaboration with the International Trade Centre Ethical Fashion Initiative and the R.I.S.E. framework monitoring, we ensure our business is socially and environmentally responsible. We have a product passport tag that comes with the bag and is a quick scan code that carries the information with the bag to tell its traced story.
In 10 years from now where would you like to see the fashion/beauty/travel world? From a business and a consumer perspective
I would love to see small brands gain the acceptance and chance to grow and continue the change in creating a world where we are hear to help one another grow and succeed for good not worried about who can create more, faster and more expansive etc. A world where we care about the backend and what it effects as much as we care about a shape of something or the next best hotel etc.
Do you have any favourite ethical and sustainable quotes, or any key influencers that inspire you?
“Observe the Masses, and do the Opposite.”
Stella McCartney is my muse.
Jane Goodhall
Why should the general public care about supporting ethical and environmentally responsible brands?
The question is why shouldn’t we, we have been brainwashed to think we always need more, need this or that to survive. Well look at what that has achieved for us. We must change our way of thinking to not only sustain the earth but to create unity and sustain our people.