After being dedicated fair trade shoppers for quite some time, Laura Weiss-Cook and Kevin Cook became aware of an entrepreneurship opportunity that suited them perfectly. In 2019, the couple reached out to the previous owner to see if they could purchase the Rooted Fair Trade store downtown.
“After meeting with her, we realized we had many of the necessary skills to make a small business work. With a teenage daughter, we knew this had to be a family decision because we were all going to be involved somehow. Together, we decided that owning a fair trade store would be a new, unique way for us to live out our values.”
Even though they were taking over a previously functioning business, it didn’t mean they didn’t need support. Laura and Kevin found assistance through local business resources in the community to obtain the education and tools necessary to confidently step into business ownership. “We leveraged the Small Business Development Center, attended a tax seminar, worked with local attorney Joe Knopp to establish our LLC and create the sales agreement.” The couple also received support from Community First National Bank as they applied for Small Business Administration loan. They credited the community as part of their success, “Since opening we have had amazing support from Downtown Manhattan, Inc. and many of our fellow business owners downtown. They added, “We have also been connected to the 1 Million Cups community.”.
Though they’ve lived in Manhattan for 17 years, the new role of entrepreneur taught them something new about the city. “Manhattan is an amazing place to own a small business. We felt supported and connected almost immediately after announcing that we purchased the business.” Their community connection extends even further, “Since then, we have been invited to present at a variety of local civic organizations and faith communities. Seven Dolors has invited us to participate in their Arts on The Green event that supports a different social cause each year. We are so fortunate to have supportive colleagues and friends in our lives and at our other full-time jobs that has made us feel valued.”
Kevin and Laura credited their friends and neighbors, as well as the employees of the Rooted Fair Trade store, as key to making their business ownership experience so successful. “We knew that Manhattan was a special place that supported local businesses. We also had an existing network of friends, colleagues and neighbors that we could rely on. One of the other key factors in our decision was that the existing staff of the store wanted to continue working and promoting fair trade. They were the single most helpful resource to us in understanding the products and the customers. Additionally, we felt in our hearts that a fair trade store could be successful in Manhattan if we made sure to tell the story of our artisan partners.”
Rooted Fair Trade is others-centric, from the products they carry on their shelves to the people that made each item. “Every product in our store has a story. It is connected to a person who is greatly benefiting from the sale of the products. We get the opportunity every day to help people around the world live a more fulfilled life because they have a job where they receive fair treatment and are paid a fair wage.”
When asked what kind of advice they’d give others, their answer was very straightforward, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Also, make sure you know what you are good at and what you might need additional assistance with. Your time and energy are worth money, so don’t feel like you have to do every aspect of the business yourself. Utilize experts when you can.”
Connect with the owners next time you’re on Poyntz, and buy something not just beautiful, but beneficial to the hands that made it. You can find Rooted Fair Trade online here and in person at 327 Poyntz Ave, Manhattan, Kansas.
