LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Just in time for the holidays, there’s a new shop in Lincoln with a special meaning behind it.
The Echo Shop sells hand-made artwork from refugees and immigrants looking to grow their business. The 12 business owners are all graduates of the Echo Collective Entrepreneurial Program. What started as a way to provide community for immigrants, Kelly Ross founded the Echo Collective in 2020.
“We noticed there were no resources for Entrepreneurial new Americans in Lincoln and so we provide one-of-a-kind education that helps our women be fully in compliance with all the law, with all the permits and licensing they need,” said Ross.
After the members of the collective learn leadership, ethics and traditional business skills, they have the opportunity to sell their own artwork in the store.
“It’s helped me a lot to just improve my business, I tried myself, but I didn’t know a lot,” said Alktra Farhan.
Farhan has been in Lincoln since 2019 and is now able to operate her own business from the support of the collective.
“They are family for me because they support me every time. When I need something, I just text them or I come here,” said Farhan.
The pieces range from woodwork, painted plates, baked goods, custom printing and more.
“I paint on glass, I paint on cups, tables,” said Farhan.
The members are from Mexico, Iraq, and Ukraine but are expecting to grow upon that in the future. Customers can visit the shop inside Turbine Flats at 21st and Y streets.
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