Editor’s note: The following text was edited for length and is not directly quoted.

Q: How would you describe your business?

A: Sozo Market connects directly with missionaries who are rescuing women, helping them heal physically and spiritually, and giving them training and resources to make handcrafted products to earn a dignified, sustainable living. Sozo Market is a channel through which these products flow and all profits are returned to the women. The products are truly beautiful and each comes with a story of hope and restoration – jewelry, home, decor, clothing, accessories, artwork, ornaments and so much more.

Q: How long have you been in business for?

A: Three years

Q: Why did you decide to start the business?

A: I used to run an open house once a year to sell products that came to us through a missionary in Bangkok, Thailand. I heard stories of the girls that they were rescuing and my heart broke. I wanted to find a way to provide more sustainable help. After some searching, I learned that human trafficking is a world-wide problem that often victimizes the poor and vulnerable. I found many missionaries working hard to help trafficking victims, orphans and widows by empowering them to create small enterprises. The abundance of needs around the world for a channel for these small enterprise led me to open Sozo Market. 

Q: What is the average price range of your products?

A: We have small novelty items like bookmarks and key rings as low as $2 to $4 up to sari quilts and wall tapestries at $75 to $90.

Q: Why should NIU students and the DeKalb community visit your business?

A: Visitng Sozo Market is like taking a trip around the world, seeing the unique materials and talents from different areas and hearing the stories behind different products. Everything in the store is unique and often one-of-a-kind. Our products make beautiful gifts that enrich the life of the recipient and bring hope to the artisan.

Q: What is your favorite product you sell?

A: This is such a hard question to answer because I love so many of the products. I can’t pick one but I can narrow it down to three! Quilts made from recycled saris in India, metal wall art made from steel drums in Haiti and beautiful silver and precious gemstone jewelry made in Thailand.

For more information about Sozo Market, visit its website here.