As part of a series of "fireside chats" sponsored by the R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund, Chomnab Ho, founder of FAIR WEAVE, shared his vision for the Cambodian social enterprise.

In Phnom Srok, a district in northwestern Cambodia, Khmer women have been weaving since the 13th century. Beautiful handwoven blankets and textiles are produced on traditional looms using techniques passed down from mother to daughter for generations. FAIR WEAVE is a social enterprise that empowers Cambodian women to use these traditional weaving skills to earn a decent income — improving not only their lives but the financial future of the entire region.

Chomnab Ho founded FAIR WEAVE in 2022, but his journey with the weavers began two decades earlier. In 2002, after earning his degree in agricultural science, Chomnab went to Phnom Srok to work on a silk sector development project funded by the French development agency.

Phnom Srok District is a remote, rural area in northwestern Cambodia. Most villagers rely on small-scale farming and animal husbandry, and many women lack even a basic education due to the disruption and violence of past authoritarian regimes and civil war. As a result, they often do not have the skills needed for stable, well-paying jobs.

During the six years Chomnab spent living and working in Phnom Srok, he fell in love with traditional handweaving. He spent his free time with the village weavers — most of them mothers — building relationships and eventually learning weaving and dyeing himself. He witnessed firsthand that many of these women faced extreme poverty and domestic violence.

Chomnab came to believe that the women’s exquisite handwoven textiles could offer a path out of poverty and toward financial independence. He began forming a small weaving team while continuing his full-time job, which he ultimately left in 2019 to focus on building what would become FAIR WEAVE.

“When my project in Phnom Srok finished, I felt that I didn’t want to drop the relationship with the community and the weavers,” Chomnab explained. “So I kept trying to carry the relationship between me and them and continue slowly.”

Over the years, Chomnab has committed himself to developing the skills and relationships needed to make FAIR WEAVE successful, sustainable, and equitable. His own experience with the weaving and dyeing process — combined with a diploma in fashion design and product development — enables him to create designs that honor traditional craftsmanship while appealing to a global audience.

Chomnab’s designs showcase the natural beauty of the neutral, earthy colors derived from 100% natural and eco-friendly materials. Products are woven from cotton, silk, linen, and bamboo, and dyed with local plants like coconut shells and Indian almond leaves — all regionally and responsibly sourced. The products focus on the home — blankets, cushions, rugs, towels, scarves, and clothing — reflecting the home-based nature of production.

FAIR WEAVE now employs more than 120 weavers, doubling its workforce and increasing sales by 57% from 2023 to 2024. This growth is a testament to Chomnab’s entrepreneurial grit and his commitment to creating jobs for women eager to work. With the income they earn, these women are able to provide a better quality of life for their families.

By sourcing, employing, and selling locally, the enterprise creates an economic cycle that uplifts the entire region.

Chomnab shared that there is currently more demand for jobs than FAIR WEAVE can accommodate. “I am so happy that whenever I go to the village, there are more women who approach me and want to be part of my business.” At present, FAIR WEAVE can add only one or two new weavers each month while continuing to provide adequate tools, materials, and production support.

This demand keeps Chomnab focused on scaling the business. “That’s what really drives me. I want to find a way to give jobs to more women — because they are waiting for me.” His goal is to employ 500 women weavers in this remote district in the next few years.

FAIR WEAVE’s business model supports more than just the individual weavers. By sourcing, employing, and selling locally, the enterprise creates an economic cycle that uplifts the entire region. It builds a better future for the weavers, their families, and their communities.

Chomnab also aims to expand FAIR WEAVE’s reach both internationally and within Cambodia. To that end, the enterprise is investing in visibility through enhanced sales and marketing initiatives. With support from the R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund in 2023, FAIR WEAVE developed a more polished catalog, website, and social media presence — helping boost sales. This year, the fund is supporting FAIR WEAVE’s participation in the Global Artisan Project at Shoppe Object, a home and lifestyle tradeshow in New York this August.

“I want to use my time and my knowledge to build a business that truly supports the community and preserves the traditional skills we have here,” said Chomnab. “I can see the opportunity, and my customers are telling me they appreciate the quality of our products. Now we just have to reach more buyers. And as we grow, we can bring on more weavers, even build facilities, to provide more jobs and opportunities for the next 10 years and beyond.”

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The R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund invests in early-stage artisan enterprises creating sustainable livelihoods for rural communities with few economic alternatives. The fund deploys capital using a range of investment vehicles — from grants to revenue-based equity investments — while seeking a return of capital for reinvestment, thereby multiplying the catalytic impact of philanthropic capital. To invest via the R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund, you can make a tax-deductible contribution directly or via a grant from your donor-advised fund (DAF). You may also co-invest directly in select investment opportunities. Contact [email protected] for more information.