OUR FOUNDER

Kathy Marshall was born and raised in Beaver Lodge, Alberta Canada. It is there that she was introduced to the art of hand spinning and weaving. Kathy worked and traveled extensively before emigrating to Ethiopia in 1994. She and her husband have raised their two daughters here.

Kathy worked in development for many years but her passion for textiles kept calling her. She eventually took the courageous step to leave her comfortable career and launch an ethical business in the handicraft sector in Ethiopia- a concept that was basically unheard of at the time.

Sabahar was born in 2004 in Kathy’s home. After a couple of years of experimentation, exploration and inquiry, the company started consistent production in 2006. Creative Women and Karama were the first wholesale clients and still remain strong partners today. 

Kathy has a desire to create modern, marketable products in a way that is kind to both the makers and the planet. This ethos, along with her commitment to making a positive contribution to Ethiopia, are the driving forces behind the company.