Passion<\/strong><\/h3>\nChristian Estrada was born and raised in Nicaragua, where he was exposed to a level of ![\"Custom](\"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/notre-dame-licensing\/files\/2015\/05\/904330_159596880875100_1269995902_o-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a>poverty that starkly contrasted the environment he encountered as a Notre Dame student. Artisans in Nicaragua are\u00a0known for their intricately handwoven hammocks, a skill passed down through generations.<\/p>\n\u201cEveryone in Nicaragua has hammocks. My parents had several in the house and three set up in the trees outside,\u201d Christian told us.\u00a0Due to the competitive, crowded nature of this market, the highly skilled artisans often struggle to make a living.<\/p>\n
Christian, along with co-founders Roberto Pellas and David Kenney, decided to find a way to elevate these artisans out of poverty. The three Notre Dame undergraduate students worked with artisans to create a diverse product offering, including wine caddies, hammocks and handbags, and developed a plan to sell the products in the U.S. where they could demand a fair price. To differentiate the products from other fair trade items, they decided to pursue a license with Notre Dame.<\/p>\n
A Great Idea<\/strong><\/h3>\nIn order to be approved for a license with Notre Dame, all vendors must provide detailed manufacturing information, marketing plan, and distribution strategy, affiliate with the Fair Labor Association, and adopt the Notre Dame Labor Code of Conduct<\/a>. Custom Elevation also needed to establish a relationship with Follett Higher Education Group, the managing company for Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore<\/a>, where they hoped to sell their products.<\/p>\n\u201cChristian had great spirit and drive to help the artisans and bring quality Nicaraguan-made products to market,\u201d David Werda, Director of Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore, told us. \u201cAlso, he and his partners had a sharp business acumen and had the resources necessary to bring the goods to market.\u201d<\/p>\n
Christian, Roberto and David began working closely with Notre Dame faculty in the summer of 2012 to develop a business plan that would satisfy all of the requirements for a Notre Dame license. \u201cThe professors at Notre Dame are open to helping in any way they can. I was able to incorporate the project into my degree in at least 4 classes. I was also allowed to use Custom Elevation as my capstone project,” said Christian.![\"Custom](\"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/notre-dame-licensing\/files\/2015\/05\/10477103_329383667229753_6623530350434217534_n-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nOne of the faculty members who worked closely with the Christian during this process was Michael Vogel. Michael is an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Notre Dame Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship, and helps students, alumni and faculty navigate their business ideas. He talks through new concepts and provides guidance on funding, viability, patents, trademarks, etc.<\/p>\n
\u201cChristian got out there, got samples, talked to the artisans, talked to Follett, talked to Notre Dame Licensing,\u201d Michael told us. \u201cHe has a high energy level, and is always thinking of new and better ways of doing things. And he is also willing to accept when something isn\u2019t a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
It took over six months to complete the process, but on November 7, 2012, Christian received his Notre Dame License from the Collegiate Licensing Company<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe Drive to See it Through<\/strong><\/h3>\nWhile pursuing the Notre Dame license, Christian had the opportunity to meet Joe Bozich, founder of Alta Gracia Apparel<\/a>. He was inspired by Joe\u2019s commitment to paying workers a living wage<\/a>, and wanted to make a similar impact on the artisans of Custom Elevation. Christian told us that Custom Elevation is currently able to pay their artisans 240% above\u00a0the Nicaraguan minimum wage, and this is having a profound impact. These workers are able to afford better education, food and housing. One artisan used his earnings to remodel his home, and another was able to purchase a computer so that his daughter could pursue her academic goals.<\/p>\nChristian, Roberto and David\u00a0have\u00a0since graduated from Notre Dame, but the journey for Custom Elevation is just beginning. When we asked Christian \u201cwhat\u2019s next\u201d for the company, his answer was directly in line with their mission. Custom Elevation is poised for expansion, but the owners have chosen to first invest in facility and machinery improvements. Their first priority is always the health, safety and happiness of the company\u2019s most valuable asset: the artisans.<\/p>\n
\nFind\u00a0handmade wine caddies and hammocks<\/a> at Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore.<\/p>\n![\"Custom](\"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/notre-dame-licensing\/files\/2015\/05\/8.1-Vinera-ND.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTake a look behind the scenes<\/a> at Custom Elevation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
How\u00a0Christian Estrada, Notre Dame Class of 2014 and founder of Custom Elevation, is elevating artisans in Nicaragua out of poverty. \u201cTo be completely honest, I really had no idea what I was doing when I was getting started,\u201d said Christian … Continue reading
<\/a>poverty that starkly contrasted the environment he encountered as a Notre Dame student. Artisans in Nicaragua are\u00a0known for their intricately handwoven hammocks, a skill passed down through generations.<\/p>\n\u201cEveryone in Nicaragua has hammocks. My parents had several in the house and three set up in the trees outside,\u201d Christian told us.\u00a0Due to the competitive, crowded nature of this market, the highly skilled artisans often struggle to make a living.<\/p>\n
Christian, along with co-founders Roberto Pellas and David Kenney, decided to find a way to elevate these artisans out of poverty. The three Notre Dame undergraduate students worked with artisans to create a diverse product offering, including wine caddies, hammocks and handbags, and developed a plan to sell the products in the U.S. where they could demand a fair price. To differentiate the products from other fair trade items, they decided to pursue a license with Notre Dame.<\/p>\n
A Great Idea<\/strong><\/h3>\nIn order to be approved for a license with Notre Dame, all vendors must provide detailed manufacturing information, marketing plan, and distribution strategy, affiliate with the Fair Labor Association, and adopt the Notre Dame Labor Code of Conduct<\/a>. Custom Elevation also needed to establish a relationship with Follett Higher Education Group, the managing company for Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore<\/a>, where they hoped to sell their products.<\/p>\n\u201cChristian had great spirit and drive to help the artisans and bring quality Nicaraguan-made products to market,\u201d David Werda, Director of Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore, told us. \u201cAlso, he and his partners had a sharp business acumen and had the resources necessary to bring the goods to market.\u201d<\/p>\n
Christian, Roberto and David began working closely with Notre Dame faculty in the summer of 2012 to develop a business plan that would satisfy all of the requirements for a Notre Dame license. \u201cThe professors at Notre Dame are open to helping in any way they can. I was able to incorporate the project into my degree in at least 4 classes. I was also allowed to use Custom Elevation as my capstone project,” said Christian.<\/a><\/p>\nOne of the faculty members who worked closely with the Christian during this process was Michael Vogel. Michael is an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Notre Dame Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship, and helps students, alumni and faculty navigate their business ideas. He talks through new concepts and provides guidance on funding, viability, patents, trademarks, etc.<\/p>\n
\u201cChristian got out there, got samples, talked to the artisans, talked to Follett, talked to Notre Dame Licensing,\u201d Michael told us. \u201cHe has a high energy level, and is always thinking of new and better ways of doing things. And he is also willing to accept when something isn\u2019t a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
It took over six months to complete the process, but on November 7, 2012, Christian received his Notre Dame License from the Collegiate Licensing Company<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe Drive to See it Through<\/strong><\/h3>\nWhile pursuing the Notre Dame license, Christian had the opportunity to meet Joe Bozich, founder of Alta Gracia Apparel<\/a>. He was inspired by Joe\u2019s commitment to paying workers a living wage<\/a>, and wanted to make a similar impact on the artisans of Custom Elevation. Christian told us that Custom Elevation is currently able to pay their artisans 240% above\u00a0the Nicaraguan minimum wage, and this is having a profound impact. These workers are able to afford better education, food and housing. One artisan used his earnings to remodel his home, and another was able to purchase a computer so that his daughter could pursue her academic goals.<\/p>\nChristian, Roberto and David\u00a0have\u00a0since graduated from Notre Dame, but the journey for Custom Elevation is just beginning. When we asked Christian \u201cwhat\u2019s next\u201d for the company, his answer was directly in line with their mission. Custom Elevation is poised for expansion, but the owners have chosen to first invest in facility and machinery improvements. Their first priority is always the health, safety and happiness of the company\u2019s most valuable asset: the artisans.<\/p>\n
\nFind\u00a0handmade wine caddies and hammocks<\/a> at Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nTake a look behind the scenes<\/a> at Custom Elevation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
How\u00a0Christian Estrada, Notre Dame Class of 2014 and founder of Custom Elevation, is elevating artisans in Nicaragua out of poverty. \u201cTo be completely honest, I really had no idea what I was doing when I was getting started,\u201d said Christian … Continue reading
\u201cChristian had great spirit and drive to help the artisans and bring quality Nicaraguan-made products to market,\u201d David Werda, Director of Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore, told us. \u201cAlso, he and his partners had a sharp business acumen and had the resources necessary to bring the goods to market.\u201d<\/p>\n
Christian, Roberto and David began working closely with Notre Dame faculty in the summer of 2012 to develop a business plan that would satisfy all of the requirements for a Notre Dame license. \u201cThe professors at Notre Dame are open to helping in any way they can. I was able to incorporate the project into my degree in at least 4 classes. I was also allowed to use Custom Elevation as my capstone project,” said Christian. One of the faculty members who worked closely with the Christian during this process was Michael Vogel. Michael is an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Notre Dame Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship, and helps students, alumni and faculty navigate their business ideas. He talks through new concepts and provides guidance on funding, viability, patents, trademarks, etc.<\/p>\n \u201cChristian got out there, got samples, talked to the artisans, talked to Follett, talked to Notre Dame Licensing,\u201d Michael told us. \u201cHe has a high energy level, and is always thinking of new and better ways of doing things. And he is also willing to accept when something isn\u2019t a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n It took over six months to complete the process, but on November 7, 2012, Christian received his Notre Dame License from the Collegiate Licensing Company<\/a>.<\/p>\n While pursuing the Notre Dame license, Christian had the opportunity to meet Joe Bozich, founder of Alta Gracia Apparel<\/a>. He was inspired by Joe\u2019s commitment to paying workers a living wage<\/a>, and wanted to make a similar impact on the artisans of Custom Elevation. Christian told us that Custom Elevation is currently able to pay their artisans 240% above\u00a0the Nicaraguan minimum wage, and this is having a profound impact. These workers are able to afford better education, food and housing. One artisan used his earnings to remodel his home, and another was able to purchase a computer so that his daughter could pursue her academic goals.<\/p>\n Christian, Roberto and David\u00a0have\u00a0since graduated from Notre Dame, but the journey for Custom Elevation is just beginning. When we asked Christian \u201cwhat\u2019s next\u201d for the company, his answer was directly in line with their mission. Custom Elevation is poised for expansion, but the owners have chosen to first invest in facility and machinery improvements. Their first priority is always the health, safety and happiness of the company\u2019s most valuable asset: the artisans.<\/p>\n Find\u00a0handmade wine caddies and hammocks<\/a> at Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore.<\/p>\n Take a look behind the scenes<\/a> at Custom Elevation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" How\u00a0Christian Estrada, Notre Dame Class of 2014 and founder of Custom Elevation, is elevating artisans in Nicaragua out of poverty. \u201cTo be completely honest, I really had no idea what I was doing when I was getting started,\u201d said Christian … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\nThe Drive to See it Through<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\n