Art with impact

The Base Project supports African communities by selling crafters' PVC bracelets and cotton bags

By Nadine Kam

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 28, 2013

~~<p>Chris Akin understands the value of focus groups when it comes to identifying the strengths and weakness of a product. This skill came in handy when the serial entrepreneur decided with his twin brother, Doug, to turn his attention to fashion, choosing one of the most easy-to-wear accessories: the bracelet.</p>
<p>Chris, 35, took to asking friends and acquaintances to pick their favorite of the various tribal bracelets he layered on his arms to gauge which might become a hit. The only problem was, time and time again, they'd point to the one bracelet that was his, instead of the test pieces. It was a band of "upcycled" PVC pipe, shaped into a cuff and hand-engraved with African tribal designs.</p>
~~

Chris Akin understands the value of focus groups when it comes to identifying the strengths and weakness of a product. This skill came in handy when the serial entrepreneur decided with his twin brother, Doug, to turn his attention to fashion, choosing one of the most easy-to-wear accessories: the bracelet.

Chris, 35, took to asking friends and acquaintances to pick their favorite of the various tribal bracelets he layered on his arms to gauge which might become a hit. The only problem was, time and time again, they'd point to the one bracelet that was his, instead of the test pieces. It was a band of "upcycled" PVC pipe, shaped into a cuff and hand-engraved with African tribal designs. Login for more...