Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten and Raul Reyes
Kirsten and Raul, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Our journey began when Raul, a passionate entrepreneur from Quito, Ecuador, and I, Kirsten, from a small town in Kearney, Nebraska with a love for travel, crossed paths in Ecuador during my volunteer work.
As our bond grew, I discovered the vibrant world of Otavalo’s Indigenous artisans through Raul. He introduced me to his admiration for the stunning textiles made by Indigenous artisans from Otavalo, nestled in the highlands of Ecuador. Our first blanket purchase together marked the start of something more significant than we ever imagined.
Inspired by their craftsmanship, we founded Beyond Borders Collective in Ecuador in 2017, and our small operation was moved to Nebraska in 2018 with only a few blankets in hand (twelve to be precise) and a heart full of dreams; our journey was about to begin. In 2020, the business started to flourish due to the major growth that the e-commerce market experienced. Finally, in August 2020, we decided to take the risk and moved to Kansas City (where we knew KC local small businesses are well supported within the community and where my mom’s side of the family lives) with hopes of expanding our brand and operations with this type of support system. Today, we are proud to say that Kansas City is our home.
Over time, these blankets have become a sentimental part of our love story, accompanying us on countless adventures and adding warmth and beauty to our most meaningful moments, from our first date rooftop picnic to our engagement day on the same rooftop, anniversary picnic dates, and many cozy movie nights.
These blankets have woven themselves into the fabric of our lives, representing the warmth and connection we embrace between the different cultures we share as a family and now, with the world, through Beyond Borders Collective.
From the moment we started Beyond Borders Collective, we’ve aimed to inspire the same sense of connection and cultural richness into every dwelling we touch through our artisan-crafted products.
As a couple passionate about travel and intentionally adorning our nest with pieces that reflect our journey, we appreciate the power of creating an environment filled with meaningful items and have discovered that the most cherished pieces are those with a story behind them. In our abode, we’ve always sought decor that narrates a story. Raul and I treasure the warmth of artisan-made blankets, throws, and art, each one a reminder of the places we’ve explored, the connections we’ve made, or the people we’ve encountered.
We know that our artisan-created blankets and throws can offer the same for you, adding a unique charm to your space, a meaningful statement piece with a story, and fostering connections that make your sanctuary a special place.
We believe that it’s all about the simple things, and our desire is for everyone to experience the quality and value of each product and the people behind it.
Together, we are bringing a touch of culture, a feeling of home wherever we are, and the experience of empowering others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Navigating Challenges & Growing Through Lessons
Life and business are full of twists and turns, requiring us to adapt and learn along the way. Here are a couple of key challenges we’ve faced and the valuable lessons they’ve taught us:
1. Think Local, Impact Global
Local businesses can have a meaningful impact, even if their products are made beyond the region. At Beyond Borders Collective, our artisan-made products from Ecuador are a reflection of the cultural heritage of one of our founders, who was born there and has a passion for sharing a piece of his roots with the U.S. While our blankets may not have “Kansas City” printed on them, our business is proudly grounded here, contributing to the local economy, creating jobs, and collaborating with fellow Kansas City businesses.
We understand that when people see a Kansas City logo on a product, they often feel a strong sense of local pride, something we deeply admire. In a similar way, though our products carry the craftsmanship of Ecuadorian artisans, they are also the result of a Kansas City-based business dedicated to creating meaningful connections across cultures.
By choosing Beyond Borders Collective, you’re supporting a local, family-owned business with a global perspective, one that values both its Kansas City home and the talented artisans whose work we celebrate. Our story is just one example of how local businesses can have roots that reach far while still making a meaningful impact here in our community.
2. Overcoming a Sales Downturn & Stepping Outside Our Comfort Zone
2023 was our “wake-up call” year. A drastic drop in sales forced us to take on side hustles to stay afloat. Before this, we had relied on large one-time purchases from organizations for corporate gifts and events without investing in paid advertising. The cost and complexity of ads had always seemed overwhelming, keeping us from pursuing them. When sales declined, we realized we needed a sustainable strategy. Investing in a marketing education program helped us learn how to run effective ads, leading to slow but steady growth. This taught us that stepping out of our comfort zone is necessary, not just to sustain our business but to help it flourish.
Through these challenges, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of our business, our values, and the importance of adaptability. Each lesson has shaped us, making us stronger entrepreneurs and better stewards of our vision.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are an online-only store that offers ethically crafted blankets, throws, and leather accessories, created in partnership with artisans from Ecuador, Peru, Turkey, and beyond. Each piece bridges cultural gaps and enriches our customers’ lives with its cultural depth, enhancing their spaces and most treasured moments. We partner with artisans who craft their products in healthy environments and make efforts to use recycled fabrics or eco-friendly dyes when possible.
We work hard with the artisans to create and provide unique/exclusive designs and color schemes for our customers and retailers. With this, we strive for things to be done with excellence, quality, and care. Every blanket the artisans create begins with the inspiration of nature and their Andean heritage embodied in each design to represent the uniqueness of their roots. Once that is perfected, they bring their inspirations to life! With some hands-on details to enhance their final product, they create a blanket that accents your life with its extraordinary design and value. Crafted to be durable and easy to care for.
At Beyond Borders Collective, we value meaningful connections over mass production, choosing to craft our artisan-made products in small batches rather than follow fast fashion trends. Each piece is thoughtfully created to tell a story, add unique charm to your home, and connect you with the cultural richness of the artisans behind it.
We believe that bridging the gaps between cultures and bringing connection through our products is the one thing that separates us from the average blanket or throw. Giving our customers the experience of engaging with different cultures and people from the Andes and beyond by using our products to bring life to their space, adventures, and memorable moments is what we hope for.
We’re an ethical brand, empowering and creating a positive impact is the heartbeat behind everything we do. From our partnership with the artisans who create our blankets in healthy environments to the partnerships we have with other small businesses around the globe. We believe in thriving as a team and family, not on our own.
Beyond Borders Collective makes every effort to use eco-friendly fibers and materials whenever possible.
We will continue to work hard with our manufacturers and artisans, searching for more environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. However, we still have a long journey ahead of us, but we feel confident that we have the right partnerships to help us achieve our goals of caring for the environment and providing above-average standards for their workers.
Every time you purchase #MyBBblanket, you are supporting not only our small business but also the economy of our Ecuadorian creators by keeping our partnerships strong and sustainable.
You can shop with us online at beyondborderscollective.com or to shop our products in person, check out our “Stockist List” page on our website and visit any of our partnering retailers close to you that carry a selection of our products in their store. For KC locals, we encourage you to visit our friends at Ulah and shop the selection of Beyond Borders Collective blankets carried in their store.
How do you define success?
Success, to us, isn’t defined solely by profit margins or growth metrics; it’s about creating meaningful connections that transcend borders. It’s the joy of knowing our artisan-made products from Ecuador don’t just bring warmth to someone’s home but also empower skilled artisans and share a piece of culture. Success is navigating challenges with resilience, like overcoming a drop in sales by embracing new strategies and stepping out of our comfort zones. It’s honoring our roots while making an impact in our Kansas City community and beyond. Ultimately, success means staying true to our purpose: bridging cultures, uplifting communities, and turning each product into a story worth sharing.
Pricing:
- Large Ecuador Blankets: $169.99
- Ecuador Throws: $98.99
- Ecuador Baby Blankets: $64.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beyondborderscollective.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondborderscollective/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondborderscollective
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqm_cZUtqNWmMvbUczSVnQw?view_as=subscriber
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/beyondborderscollective/
Image Credits
Brad Thomas
Felicia Marinez
Jennifer Bravo
Josue Gomez
