By Imaan Moosa
Edited by Yumna Bodiat
We spoke with Madison Bowen to gain insight into her NGO, 'Toesty'.
A 25-year-old Missouri-born woman is the founder and CEO of 'Toesty', a Non-Governmental Organization that provides financial freedom for impoverished Albanian women by selling their hand-knit wool socks online.
Madison Bowen holds an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho in international development, speaks four languages, works full-time in management and marketing, and is currently preparing for the upcoming relaunch of 'Toesty'.
After spending over a year living in Albania, Bowen became saddened by the high unemployment rates in the country's rural regions.
Her love for the Albanian community inspired an urge to find a way to alleviate the suffering of impoverished households. In particular, her idea for Toesty was sparked from her personal relationships with Albanian craftswomen and in March 2018 she made her first sale.
Bowen says that regardless of the craftswomen's skillset and ability to contribute to their households, the rigid structure of their patriarchal society confines these women to solely housewife duties and everyday jobs are not considered fit for respectable women.
The craftswomen were taught to knit from their mothers and grandmothers, and this skill has been passed down by generations of Albanian women.
Headshot of Albanian craftswoman Nika, a member of Toesty's craft team. Photo: Provided
"The vibrant stitching and patterns reflect both the personalities of the craftswomen and the cultures of their native villages," says Bowen.
All proceeds from Toesty are transferred directly to the craftswomen. Sock sales have greatly benefitted in minimizing their struggle for basic necessities, such as food and rent. They are now able to shift their attention to medical and educational needs instead.
Bowen intends to expand her team by including more craftswomen.
Although she is also toying with the idea of adding hand-knit baby clothing to the mix, "socks will always be the sole focus," she says.
Pure hand-knitted wool socks designed and created by the Albanian craftswomen team for Toesty. Photo: Provided
Toesty socks are available for purchase online at www.toestysocks.org. As an online boutique goes, seamlessly browse products, add to cart, and pay online with a debit card where funds are deposited to the company’s bank account, and profits sent to the craftswomen.
"Word of advice to any aspiring women entrepreneurs reading this: Don’t wait for the perfect time to get started with your idea. Life moves along quickly, so I recommend jumping in and learning through personal experience. If your idea is addressing an urgent need those on the receiving end don’t have the luxury of waiting for a convenient time either," - A note from Madison Bowen
To donate or contribute towards TOESTY, you can contact Madison Bowen on the following:
Email: toestysocks@gmail.com Instagram: @toestysocks
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