Digitally Platforming a Tzutujil Mayan Enterprise

Casa Flor Ixcaco, San Juan, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

The Intervention: I started a partnership with Casa Flor Ixcaco in late 2015. By early 2016 together we created an Instagram and Facebook account that combined have over 3,000 followers; we discussed the importance of high quality photos and brand imaging, and they now source their images from visiting photographers. Due to our online recognition and digital interest, I worked with National Geographic Travel to feature Casa Flor Ixcaco. Together with the cooperative, national geographic, and my oversight of the terms we developed this video for Casa Flor’s use and consumption. The most dynamic intervention is the website, with a few small investments totaling to under $3,000, we were able to generate $20,000 in sales for investment, marketing, and network-building. Since launching the site we’ve had over 12,000 unique global visitors. In 2017, two of the cooperative members were able to travel to the United States for the first time to give a demo and introduce their work in the Denver, Colorado community. Currently we are exploring cost-effective, timely, and safe ways to ship product, as well as develop the right financial model for the cooperative. Their current model involves a social safety net for the woman, and future model would seek to utilize digital tools to improve upon the cooperative goals for the community as well as growth their business.