JMS Ventures' mission is to represent the collaboration among business people and artisans showcasing the wonderful and diverse culture that is Kenya. Their goal is to provide people of Kenya a greater opportunity to share their talent and improve their lives. More than 50% of the Kenyan population lives in poverty. In the households of many working in the informal sector (which includes artisans) the average income per adult has been reported as low as $0.85 a day (the international poverty line is $1.08). As an estimated 68% of non-agricultural employment is in the informal sector, this struggle is a reality for many hard working Kenyans.

Why is an effort to improve their lives such a struggle? There are no easy answers; however JMS Ventures believe some of the constraints are access to credit, marketing and equally shared success of these micro-enterprises. In order for people to have hope for the future they must feel they have something to gain or lose - that something is at stake. JMS Ventures focus on supporting producers who share the financial success of the group's creativity and hard work.

The Kenyan Collection: The beautiful leather collars and leads are beaded by the Maasai people of Kenya. All the solid brass fixtures are hand-cast. No two collars are exactly alike as the design work is left exclusively to the Maasai, which really makes each collar and lead unique As all of the products are handmade and take skill and time to create, they will not be mass produced and, therefore, will not be seen in everyone's home.

We know our customers will be happy to own or give as a gift a very unique personal product that a limited number of people will have.