Five former employees of ethical clothing brand, Nisa, have started a crowdfunding campaign to reopen its doors.
Former employees Pam Lowe, Queen Sudagar, Hannah McHalick, Li Ling Ho, and Yuri Machecha have joined together in order to buy the business. They have set up a PledgeMe crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs of doing so.
Nisa closed last month after CEO and Founder Elisha Watson failed to secure a buyer. The business was listed for sale in March as Watson intended to step back to spend more time with her young family.
Nisa manufactures underwear and swimwear and operates to employ migrants and refugees. The clothing business was founded by investment platform SheEO in its early days. Last month, Watson said the business was no longer in the financial position to continue to operate without securing a buyer to inject new capital.
The crowdfunding campaign to reopen the business is seeking to raise NZ$80,000. The money will be used to make new stock and re-employ as many machinists as possible.
Pam Lowe, one of Nisa’s original workers and former production manager, has taken over as chief executive. Lowe said Nisa needed five machinists by December, which would be possible only by raising funds.
“It’s terrifying but also very exciting. I just really want the business to continue,” said Lowe. “I don’t think we will be able to do it without the $80,000, I would love for it to continue if we can’t raise it, but I don’t know that we would be able to.”
Over the past five years, Lowe has seen first-hand how Nisa has helped women integrate into society.
“Nisa is like a community, we try to help everyone in any aspect of their life. Often women who come here from backgrounds like our staff will end up in solitary jobs like cleaning and it doesn’t help with their language, doesn’t help them to become a functioning part of the community.”
Nisa has employed women from Ecuador, Afghanistan, Somalia, Myanmar, Syria, Iraq, Columbia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and other countries in Asia.
