Our Story
Business owner Kirk Olsen was on a trip in central Mexico in search of new types of cantera and marble for his stone company to import back to the United States. They were driving in between towns when he saw two young boys probably 6 and 8 years old weaving barefoot in and out of traffic. These boys in tattered clothing were selling handmade clay piggy banks to passerby’s. Kirk needed something to bring home as a souvenir for his own children and approached them. The boys gave him a price and they negotiated for a bit, he bought 3 pigs and threw in a tip, the children ran off excited for their success and Kirk continued with his business not thinking much of the encounter, for having been to the area so often the poverty was nothing new to his senses.
After Kirk returned home he consistently reflected on that small experience. On every return trip to Mexico he found himself searching for those boys on the same streets in which they had met, in doing so was drawn to the people as a whole. Several more visits over the next couple of years gave Kirk the opportunity to meet, befriend and love the people there.
His heart had been touched by what he learned about them and their lifestyle.
One thing he noticed was that the talented artisans were working very hard to
make the products in the same way their ancestors before them have for
hundreds of years. The mothers generally are the ones doing most of that work
because the fathers had to leave in search of better paying jobs in order to
survive, occasionally sending home what little money they can. Often times
these stressed, tired and lonely men fall into problems with substance abuse so
the families back home see even less money return over time.
Another observation was the children and elderly women are generally the ones
who are left to sell the products. They travel from their small towns
and villages to bigger cities in order to sell, and because they can't afford the
time or money to travel to and from home often they live on the streets for weeks
at a time, sleeping on the sidewalks. The older women that make up the largest
portion of the sales force are referred to by the locals as "Marias" and are usually 70 years old and older.
These are beautiful, humble and hardworking people. They are not beggars asking for handouts, and that is part of the reason Kirk was drawn to them wanting to do something to help make their life easier and more comfortable.
Fueled by passion the With HeART Foundation was created.
These products have a purpose and will make a difference in a life with every sale. Stone Mountain Handicraft orders these products from the locals, sells them worldwide, and then donates back a percentage of every sale to the With HeART Foundation. With HeART also accepts donations, and because of the unique product based business Stone Mountain Handicraft supports itself, which means 100% of the donations go directly to With HeART and NONE of the donations ever have to be used for wages or any other costs associated with business operations. The products sold offer With HeART opportunity to receive more funds than only that which people are willing to donate.
In doing so full-time employment has and will continue to be provided for men and women to do what they already know how to do from their home towns. Children can return to school for an education, the elderly can enjoy their remaining days surrounded comfortably by family and friends.
With Kirk's vision which has solidified into a reality, he and his
team have created a charity driven business that can supply an
endless means of help now to the people in Mexico and
eventually many other parts of the world.
