Born during lockdown, Sage and Stone focuses on collaborating with women from poorer communities, as well as with NGOs, to enhance the lives of struggling families in townships. Founder Janine van Huyssteen spoke to MatieMedia about the impact that Covid-19 had on her career… and how that resulted in the creation of her business.
A table filled with Sage and Stone products. All the products come in a Sage and Stone box. PHOTO: Heléne Leonard
Janine van Huyssteen had a contract job when the Covid-19-related lockdown regulations started affecting the local economy last year. Her contract was stopped, and she found herself without employment.
This forced her to start thinking about work in a different way, and ultimately led to the founding of Sage and Stone in July last year.
Sage and Stone is an initiative through which Janine aims to help women in poorer communities by creating income opportunities.
“I wanted to help people who are in poorer communities and who were affected by Covid-19,” Janine says.
Sage and Stone sells quality handmade products, including mugs, cloths and other decor items. When an order for these items are placed on Sage and Stone, Janine will outsource the production of the items to those women who specialises in the specific items. Janine also supplies the material needed to produce the items.
“I really want to create a platform for women to work and practice their creativity and art. A place where they can just move away from their circumstances and actually earn a living.”
Janine van Huyssteen, owner and founder of Sage and Stone. PHOTO: Heléne Leonard
Janine, who holds a degree in social work from the Stellenbosch University, says her background in social work helped her to connect with people and to find ways through which they can improve their circumstances. Earning an income, is crucial in this regard.
“The women I work with are so talented. They just cannot afford to buy material themselves. That is where I come in: I get an order and then I buy the necessary equipment needed to make the decor and I will take the material to women who are willing to work.”
While explaining the details of her business, Janine takes a sip of coffee from a hand-made mug. She explains that the person who has made this mug comes from a township. She works directly with her to create fashionable home decor.
The importance of collaboration
One of Janine’s coworkers, is Lorna Appolis, who lives in Macassar, near Somerset-West.
Lorna is one of two women who Janine sources to make home décor for Sage and Stone. Lorna humbly believes that Janine changed her life.
“The work Janine does, is providing me with an income and it is very nice to work with Janine,” explains Lorna.
Sage and Stone goes by a “create and source” business plan. Apart from reaching out to unemployed women from local communities, Janine also works with non-governmental organizations (NGO).
“I got in touch with NGOs as well because I want to support local people who desperately need an income. And who can use their creative skills to do that,” says Janine.
One of the women from Pure Touch is crocheting scrubs which will be placed in a Sage and Stone gift box. PHOTO: Heléne Leonard
Giving credit to individual excellence
Products bought through Sage and Stone, are packaged in a Sage and Stone gift box. However, each item included in the box is labeled with the brand of its individual creator or the NGO through which it was sourced.
“I keep the individual labels of the NGOs on the work that they have created. I don’t want to take credit for their work at all. Sage and Stone just helps these people to build a name and income for themselves,” explains Janine.
One such NGO is Pure Touch, established by Nadja Ernst.
The final Pure Touch scrubs before packaging. PHOTO: Heléne Leonard
Nadja has been a lover of crocheting since she was a child.
“I started knitting and crocheting my own cleaning products in the kitchen, which are dish cloths and scrubs. This was just for myself. Pure Touch comes from this expedition,” says Nadja.
“As the business grew, I realised that I needed help in order to make a difference in people’s lives with the business. You don’t just want to ask anyone for help. I approached a disadvantaged community, so that in turn for their help, I could help them make an income,” explains Nadja.
In February 2020 Nadja started inviting women to join and learn to crochet. While the aim is to help support income for the women involved, Nadja says they also provide emotional support.
“We check where the women are in life and whether we can connect and support them where possible,” says Nadja.
The table runners that Lorna Appolis creates for Sage and Stone, next to a Sage and Stone gift box. PHOTO: Heléne Leonard
Crocheting and knitting kept the women at Pure Touch sane, notes Nadja.
“We meet at the Hannah Cornelius Centre, in Ocean View. On weeks where we do not meet, the ladies meet one another for a coffee,” says Nadja.
Nadja met Janine through Instagram.
“Janine contacted me and we met over Instagram – is that not wonderful? I showed her our crocheting products and Janine told me all about Sage and Stone, and her love for empowering communities,” explains Nadja.
While the two met for business reasons, they also found instant friendship. Nadja says that Janine is doing amazing work in the community.
“I love the heart that Janine has. The support, and her creativity, are amazing. Janine has such a humble heart and she has a keen mind for business,” says Nadja. “Janine is so reliant and ethical, and she runs everything in that way. I enjoy Sage and Stone immensely and look up to the work that Janine does.”