African Woodsmoke

We have some awesome new fall scarves in.  To purchase go HERE. Check them out here:

Kokopelli in Annapolis have teamed up with Woodsmoke and are helping us to support education in Africa by selling our scarves at their store. They are a great family owned store, their address is: 149, Main St, Annapolis, MD.  Here is a little bit about them:

“Family owned and operated for over 21 years, Kokopelli’s purpose is to make shopping in our stores a unique and memorable experience.

Started by Jane & Ron Reifler in 1988, Kokopelli now has three locations: Columbia Mall, Towson Town Center, and now in Downtown Annapolis. Daughter, Jill Lehr, now also helps run the company.

Kokopelli sets itself apart from other stores by offering exceptional customer service and unique handcrafted and designed products from all over the world.

Kokopelli… the place to shop!”

Cheers,

Woodsmoke Team

This was my interview on 10/11 news where I speak a little bit about why I started Woodsmoke.  Also check out some of Woodsmoke’s great products in the background.

Cheers,

Sean Founder Woodsmoke

Earlier this year we had a goal to sell 258 scarves in 2 months to help to educate one of Miriam Kamanthe’s sons, Christopher.  With your help we far exceeded this goal and gave Christopher the chance to go to school for one year.  Unfortunately, I could not make it to Kenya to hand over the money to Miriam because of extremely high airline prices.  We were able to get her the money through some very good friends that live in Kenya though.  Miriam was ecstatic to say the least.

Education is the ultimate gift that you can give in Africa.  Families struggle to afford the high cost of education in Kenya and receive very little government subsidy.  Education gives hope for a brighter future.  Without an education there is very little chance to succeed in life especially when jobs are not as prevalent as they are in the US.  THANK YOU so much for helping change the life of this family in Africa.

Our new goal kicks off today and that is to educate Dorothy, Miriam’s second child for a year.  Our goal is to sell 258 scarves by the end of August to educate Dorothy for a year.  Purchase a scarf HERE and help to change the life of a family in Africa.

Christopher & Miriam

Dorothy & Miriam (Miriam is wearing a scarf on her head)

Kweri (cheers),

Sean, Founder Woodsmoke

Lilac Bijoux in the historic town of Annapolis just signed on to help support education in Africa by carrying our scarves in their store.  Lilac Bijoux is a trendy womens boutique owned by Fern & Beth.  Woodsmoke would love to support them in any way possible.  If you find yourself in Annapolis make sure to stop by.  There address is:

145 Main Street, Annapolis, MD 21041

Here is the story of how they got started:

“A long time ago, in a country far, far away…ok, maybe not THAT long ago or THAT far away…Fern was born in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Her entire life was emersed in creativity. Fashion, painting, decorating, it surrounded her. Landing on the shores of California she and her American husband eventually made there way to the other shore. As a buyer for a major women’s chain, Fern perfected her ability to choose must have items that you shouldn’t live without!

Fern loves catching rays in Brazil and sipping on Caipirinhas (the Brazilian national drink). When she has the time, she is traveling to places she has never been and dragging her teenage daughter along for the ride!

Beth tried, for a very long time, to be happy making money for other people. Yay, not so much! Owning her own business was always a dream. When she was just five she was convinced she was going to walk the neighborhood dogs and make lots of money, and as teenager she dreamed of being a speech writer and the owner of an NHL team! Eventually she found her niche in sales.

Beth, a self proclaimed sci-fi geek, loves to ski the mountains of Vermont, big roller coasters and hot air balloon rides. She and her husband live on Maryland’s eastern shore with their two boys, two dogs and a cat!

A very brief stint working together, a few martinis and a cocktail napkin, and voila, Fern and Beth had the basic concept for Lilac Bijoux.

Now you know.”

Kweri (cheers),

Woodsmoke Team

Ginger boutique in Bethesda just signed on to help support education in Africa by carrying our scarves in their store.  Ginger is a stylish boutique is located in Bethesda, Maryland and owned by Gretchen Hitchner.  We would love you to support them whenever possible.  Their address is 7114 Bethesda Lane, MD 20814.

Cheers,

Woodsmoke Team

A great company that I have been following lately is called charity: water.  They are providing clean drinking water to millions of people around the world.  What really sticks with me is that they give 100% of your donation to building wells; all their operational costs are funded by a private donor group.  Clean drinking water is the number one cause of disease in third world countries.  I love to see companies that are doing meaningful work and providing sustainable solutions for the poor – this is one of them.  Here is a video about a company that really touched me:

The story of charity: water – The 2009 September Campaign Trailer from charity: water on Vimeo.

Cheers,

Sean, Founder Woodsmoke

woodsmoke intern |ˈwoŏdˌsmōk| / noun / woodsmoke is offering an internship that will change your life.

mission |ˈmi sh ən| / noun / we are looking for a creative, motivated, and fashion-orientated student that wants an internship with meaning and the chance to be a part of something greater than themselves.
The intern will be involved in sales, marketing, business development, fashion design, and the chance of staying on with an exciting new company.

promise |ˈpräməs| / noun / a meaningful internship that actively supports education in Africa.  All interns have the chance of visiting Africa on a buying trip with the owner.

Email sean_coetzee@hotmail.com to setup an interview and send your resume.

To find out more about Woodsmoke go to: www.africanwoodsmoke.com

LIVE.AFRICAN.

Miriam Kamanthe is a fellow mother from Nairobi, Kenya.  She has three amazing children and through your help we have helped to educate one of Miriam’s children for a year in Kenya.  In Africa education is not paid for by the Government and many mothers in Kenya struggle to afford the many costs of sending their children to school.  Meet Miriam HERE.

Through YOUR help we have educated one of Miriam’s children for a year.  For every 258 scarves purchased we send one child to school in Africa for one year. Miriam has another two children that she would like send to school but she cannot afford the many costs associated with school fees.  This Mothers Day we are stepping in and pledging to help support her.  We pledge to sell 516 (258 x 2) scarves by July 25 to send Miriam’s two children to school.  This Mothers Day give the ultimate gift to another mother by helping to put her children through school.  To purchase a scarf and change the lives of two children in Africa click HERE.

Here is my speech from African Gathering Conference yesterday where I spoke about how Woodsmoke was started and how to use storytelling in your marketing through social media platforms.

African Gathering Speech Sean Coetzee from Sean Coetzee on Vimeo.

Sean Coetzee – Woodsmoke from Africa Gathering on Vimeo.

Cheers,

Sean, Founder Woodsmoke