Clients often hire interior designers because they want to live in a beautiful space that is customized to their style and preferences. They don’t want the same chachkies found in every other home; they want a design that is as unique to them as the pieces themselves.

My guest today is a master of sourcing and selling very different, very unique pieces that we don’t typically see in the US. Lawson Ricketts is the co-founder of Ngala Trading where he sources handmade, beautiful design elements from artisans and manufacturers in South Africa. Every piece they sell comes with a story, a reason, and acknowledges the person behind it.

If you’ve been looking for one-of-a-kind pieces to breathe new life into your designs, you need to hear today’s episode, y’all. Lawson shares how Ngala Trading came to be, why they run their business the way they do, and some of their upcoming launches. You’ll hear firsthand the challenges that come with running an imports business, and how Lawson developed his gut intuition for design without ever going to design school.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

  • The fascinating story of how Ngala Trading came to be.
  • What American design looks like to people in other countries.
  • How Ngala Trading works with artisans in South Africa.
  • What it means to import ethically.
  • The trials and tribulations of running an imports business.
  • What’s in store for Ngala Trading’s upcoming releases.

Listen to the Full Episode:

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