What We Learnt From Our Fireside Chat With Margaret Dear Kasande-Kobel

In this Fireside Chat, we spoke with Margaret Dear Kasande-Kobel, an accountant by training and a long-time advocate for fair trade and women-led craft enterprises in Africa.

Margaret previously served as Crafts Production and Marketing Manager at Rwenzori Sustainable Trade Center (RSTC) in Uganda, where she helped scale artisan participation, strengthen export systems and open access to international markets across Europe, North America and Asia. She currently serves as Board Treasurer for WFTO Africa & the Middle East.

Her perspective offered practical lessons on pricing, transparency, storytelling and the realities of scaling artisan production responsibly. Here are the insights that stood out most.

Business and advocacy cannot be separated

Margaret’s journey into the craft sector began through working with rural women entrepreneurs, not through design. This shaped her belief that business systems and advocacy are deeply intertwined.

In the handicraft context, ethical business practices are essential. Advocacy, transparency and empathy are imperative to ensuring that exploitation is hindered. Fair pricing, respectful storytelling and honest communication act as buffers that protect artisans from being undervalued in global markets.

Dignified storytelling builds trust

One of the most important lessons shared was the difference between impact storytelling and what Margaret described as undignified narratives.

Rather than focusing on hardship alone, effective storytelling should centre around the skill, cultural meaning and the journey behind a product. Buyers tend to be connect when they understand why a product exists, how knowledge is passed down, and what cultural role it plays within a community.

Stories that preserve dignity tend to create longer-term trust with both buyers and artisans.

Transparency transforms pricing conversations

For many years, RSTC struggled with pricing that no longer reflected real costs. The shift came when every input was itemised, from raw materials and transport to water, tools and artisan time.

This transparency made it easier to explain pricing to buyers and helped artisans understand the true value of their labour. Once costs were clearly mapped, prices increased for the first time in a decade without losing buyer confidence.

Fair pricing is not about guesswork. It is built on evidence, clarity and communication. This is something we actively support at Meekono through our wholesale pricing sheet and practical finance lessons, available on our FREE e-learning platform. These resources are designed to help sellers price confidently, communicate value to buyers and build sustainable margins. Contact us today to join.

Research and preparation are critical for exports

Exporting at scale brings hidden complexities. Margaret shared examples where missing certifications delayed shipments and derailed buyer relationships.

Different markets have different compliance requirements, especially across Europe and Asia. Doing research early, working closely with logistics partners and communicating openly with buyers when challenges arise helps preserve trust and long-term relationships.

Mistakes will happen. What matters most is ownership, transparency and problem-solving.

Relationships matter more than perfection

Several of RSTC’s long-term buyers were secured through local events and regional trade fairs rather than expensive international expos.

Strong relationships were maintained not by being flawless, but by being honest when errors occurred, negotiating fairly and prioritising long-term partnerships over short-term margins.

Trust remains one of the most valuable currencies in wholesale trade.

Financial discipline sustains social impact

From an accounting perspective, Margaret emphasised the importance of financial management in social enterprises.

Keeping proper records, understanding cash flow and tracking costs are not just internal management tools. They are often what enable organisations to access grants, donor funding and strategic partnerships. Many investors, buyers and strategic partners require clear financial systems, transparency and accountability before committing support.

Paying yourself, maintaining organised books and planning sustainably ensure that impact-driven work can grow without collapsing under financial strain, while also positioning enterprises to take advantage of funding and partnership opportunities when they arise.

Final reflection 

This Fireside Chat with Margaret Dear Kasande-Kobel reminds us that sustainable craft businesses are built at the intersection of culture, ethics and sound business systems. 

Fair pricing, dignified storytelling and financial discipline are not separate ideas. Together, they create the conditions for artisans and craft enterprises to grow sustainably, with confidence and ensure continued long-term impact. When businesses are transparent and well-structured, they are better positioned to attract buyers, partners and funding that align with their values.

Watch the full Fireside Chat on YouTube or listen on Spotify to hear Margaret share her insights and lived experience in her own words.