Gloria Gubianas is a member of Hemper, a company founded by six young entrepreneurs two years ago. They met at school and university, and they shared a common motivation: human commitment. This is why they started this backpack sale and distribution company, based on traditional Nepalese fabric techniques and materials. In doing so, they help to put sustainable products on the market and develop the poorest communities. In this interview, Gloria talks about Hemper's history and future illusions, among others.

 

In 2018 you won the Spanish edition of the 'Global Student Entrepreneur Awards' (GSEA) for university entrepreneurs, organized by the Entrepreneur's Organization (EO). What did you feel when you received the news?

 

We are actually very happy and proud, because it costs a lot to win the Hemper Awards. We have nothing innovative to say, because we are a product, a fashion, we are selling, and even with our production chain and the money we make, we support vulnerable communities that work in communities, and it's not a very innovative product. So we were very happy.

 

Two of my partners, Alejandro and Gonzalo, traveled to Nepal to support an NGO and in some way wanted to continue supporting Nepal. Hemp fiber is a very traditional fiber here and we tried to incorporate some nice products. We specifically liked the backpacks and bought 50 to raise money, and from there they sold out very well. This is just like any person who starts a charity project. Then, after researching and really seeing how social impact is created and how this whole world works, we tried to create social impact across our entire production chain.

 

We met and there were many options as to what kind of supplier we could select; some very large and with a lot of experience, and then we met them, who were small suppliers and were farmers. We connected emotionally with these and realized that betting on local small suppliers could cause a bigger collision than buying from large suppliers. And from then until today.

 

Our goal is to contribute to Nepal's social and economic development. We see the different points of this development; first, by creating decent work and wealth there. That's why we have our entire production line in Nepal. It would be much easier for us to produce things here, having a workshop here or buying some materials here. So if we have a whole production chain there, we are creating more wealth for the country, contributing to its industrial development, to international trade.

 

On the other hand, in our production chain we use traditional artisanal processes to maintain culture, craftsmanship and art, and specifically hemp. Hemp has some very interesting supplements at an ecological level compared to other natural fibers because it does not require much water or pesticides for example, and is now a fiber that is being found. And we are also helping to introduce the use of hemp in this fashion market.

 

On the other hand, our entire production chain employs weak people, who have not had the same opportunities as a part of Nepal. They are people from rural areas, of lower social status, who do not complete or complete their education, and the most important part is the exercise of textiles, where we have a group of women. There are about twelve women who are at risk of human exclusion and all that I have mentioned is the addition of being a woman. What we do with these women and a part of the seamstresses, with our profits, is to provide a social benefits program, that is, with a portion of our backpack sales, we have provided school support to their children, as their parents are less educated than other children at risk of school failure. they have more, and with this we help them finish their studies so that they have more opportunities for the future. We also educate women on cleanliness, waste management, the economy, etc., so that they can manage their savings, their families, etc., so that they can overcome poverty and avoid the risk of return.

 

Three of our classmates are friends and some are college friends, as we graduated from LEINN (Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation, Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation) at Mondragon University.

 

First, instead of buying some more polluting from their production processes, because they need a lot more water, pollutants, etc., it's helping the planet with our backpacks. On the other hand, it is helping to make decent work in some communities in Nepal and more opportunities for the future, for schoolchildren to backpack, and then in Spain it also helps young employers who are trying to create sustainable development and social impact companies like ours. more companies to stay and move on.

 

Yes. I think there are a lot of them and what we need to do as a consumer is to bet on them and find them, to give them time to get to know what they are doing and to consume these brands. Business is a big part of the economy and the global movement; so if we buy the wrong things, they will be the ones who rule the world in a way. We are voting when we buy. So, as a consumer, we need to see this in all sectors, in terms of nutrition, fashion, transportation ..., try to bet on things that have a different and sustainable approach.

 

It is best that you eventually surround yourself with people with the same enthusiasm and energy, creating teams that share your vision of the world.

And worst of all, you do not know if this will end tomorrow or next month. You bring the trouble home ... That would be the most ugly part.

 

When I see people not taking action around me, I see that there are many difficulties. On the global level, everything is quite wrong. But I am surrounded by people who are starting out, growing, hiring, growing and having nice stalls ... I have high hopes especially for young people to bet on being a startup, in a new or small business, eventually because they will learn one and I think there is work and it is growing.

 

The first thing we want is to end up having snacks. We have been in business for two years and the first is losses due to our structure and the growth we want. In 2019 we will face losses this year, and then our long-term goal is to make them sustainable. When we achieve this, try to reach a prosperous growth. What we want is to be able to live on this and do projects that help these communities in Nepal. We are also starting to make a physical sale, so far we are selling online, we are getting new products, new fashion accessories, like belt bags, bags and so on, and we want to get a line of accessories for swimwear companies ... and then expand to Europe, this expansion in May 2018 we started and believe that we have a very large market in Europe that is committed to our values. So we think we have a lot of options here.

 

On the web, www.hemper.es, and soon in physical stores for this year.

 

What I would recommend is that if a strong team is on the side, he can move on. I think in the end it's all about the people around us and the team we have. Let's face it, I think it's the best time to do this when we are young, because we have no family responsibilities at this time, we have no family, no mortgages ... and this is the time we have the energy to do it. And when it comes to doing so, keep in mind a little about the environment and the social differences that exist, trying to create human wealth through the creation of economic wealth, and even as little environmental collision as possible.