NOVICA Named Hot 100 Website
Internet Retailer Hot 100
As youngsters Charles Hachtmann and his friends, Roberto and Andy Milk, traveled together and marveled at artwork and crafts produced by artisans in remote corners of the world. As adults, they wanted to start a business that would help these artisans reach a wider market.
The Internet made that possible. Almost a decade ago, they founded Novica.com, a retail site that links far-off artisans with lovers of art and crafts in developed nations.
To make the connection come to life, the site introduces the artisans through photographs, videos, biographies and the artisans' own words. Customers can offer reviews and send messages to the craftspeople.
"We've...
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The Face of Global Art
Whole Life Times
Novica's marketplace transforms the lives of global artists and their authenticity-starved western patrons
In the Los Angeles offices of Novica, the online global art marketplace, African masks adorn walls lined with photos of proud artists from every corner of the world. Tiny bamboo shafts are stacked delicately on top of each other to form a few of the employee's cubicles, and the stunning Murano vases illuminating the hallway are from a Brazilian artist whose family emigrated from Italy - the artist now infuses an ancient Venetian glass blowing technique with Latin flair.
This is not your average company...
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The Kindness of Strangers
Décor & Style Magazine
For years, incredibly talented artists and artisans across the globe have struggled to find larger markets for their handmade products because they live in remote places. They resort to selling their goods to the tourist trade or to international art dealers, who then resell their goods at huge markups. At the same time, as large home furnishing stores expand, the consumer's purchasing options continue to diminish. As a result, interior design, like many other industries, has been compromised.
A unique web site with a humanitarian nature has been created to change all that. Novica.com is out to start a revolution. Its goal is to create...
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'Fast 50' Winners
Fast Company magazine
Novica Named Among 'Fastest 50' Companies in the World
Thinking Locally, Acting Globally: Roberto Milk, Andy Milk, Armenia Nercessian de Oliveira, and others - co-founders, Novica: The sons of a Peace Corps member, the Milks had a lifelong interest in artisans in developing countries. They teamed up with Armenia Nercessian, a UN human-rights officer, to create Novica.com, an online marketplace that sells the work of more than 10,000 craftspeople.
Moment of truth: "The day we came up with the idea for Novica. Everyone said it couldn't be done: simultaneously establish offices in countries all over the world, pay artists more...
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Live Like a World Traveler
Natural Health Magazine
A vast world of personal and home decor, steeped in personal history and cultural tradition, is finding its way into American homes. To search out these treasures, you don't need a passport, a water purifier or a fresh supply of Dramamine. Even world-savvy travelers are realizing that thousands of far-flung prizes are just a mouse click away.
In response to an increasing homogenous society, there's a growing desire to seek out creations of individuality and substance. Given the choice, frequent flyers and Web jockeys alike are passing up T-shirts, plastic mugs and other inauthentic "souvenirs" for genuine art and artifacts that are tactile,...
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