Still Growing Strong

The fall semester is in full swing and Living Roots is busier than ever. We have been compiling our summer research, revising our business plan, and preparing for return trips to Baja this October and December. Thanks for taking the time to catch up on our latest updates!

New Roots! (team members)

We are excited and honored to welcome fellow classmates Annemarie Logue and Kevin Andrezejewski as consultants to the Living Roots team. They both offer valuable outside perspectives and incredible vision. Annemarie has over 18 years business experience in consulting and project management in the telecommunication industry. She is helping us develop financial statements and a funding plan. Kevin has a background in marketing and supply chain management. He is conducting in-depth market research, assisting in the design of customer surveys and focus groups for our upcoming marketing and sales trials, and working with us to further develop a marketing strategy.

Living Roots Receives Award!

Opportunities Without Borders (OWOB) recently awarded Living Roots with $2,000 for first place in its 2010 Idea to Business (I2B) competition. The competition evaluates teams in terms of how well it proves an idea can be turned into a viable business. OWOB selected Living Roots for doing the best job of designing, evaluating, and analyzing research results and testing proof-of-concept. Prize money supports our upcoming marketing and sales trials.

Returning to Baja...

Marketing Trial. Living Roots' fearless leader, McKenzie, is heading off to Baja at the end of next week to launch our marketing trial at a festival in Loreto. Living Roots' community representatives (who were elected at the end of our summer trip) have been coordinating the production of sierra-made artisan foods and crafts to test under the Living Roots label. The aim of the label is to unify sierra artisans throughout the state and differentiate their products as being hecho a mano en las sierras de Baja California Sur (handmade in the mountains of Baja California Sur). This month's marketing trial is designed to gain customer feedback on both artisan products and the effectiveness of Living Roots initial pricing and promotion concepts. If you are in-country, visit the festival and look for the Living Roots booth and banner!

Sales Trial. The entire team will be returning to Baja the first week of December for San Javier Days to launch a full sales trial of artisan products under the Living Roots label. December 3rd is the anniversary of San Javier's founding and the celebration of Saint Javier. People come on foot from Loreto and on horseback from as far as La Paz. The festival attracts thousands of people. Living Roots will be in San Javier selling artisanal crafts and foods at a booth from December 1-3. There will be craftspeople doing demonstrations and talking about their culture. Please drop by if you are in the region - this is an event you don't want to miss!

Thanks again for staying up to date!