To promote fair trade — equal and sustainable trade among international entities — Manish Gupta, owner of Handmade Expressions, an Austin-based company, shared his experiences about being a fair trade advocate.

Gupta, an entrepreneur, presented the lecture “Fair Trade: The Power of Choice” Monday evening at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.

“I think that the work this small community is doing is exemplary,” Gupta said of Norman. “The education that they are doing here and the number of people talking about different initiatives is an example for the entire country, so it is an honor to be here and to share my experience with this community.”

Gupta entered into the world of Fair Trade some years ago when he left his job as chemical plant manager to found his own company, Handmade Expressions, which sells jewelry, clothing and other items made by artisans in India.

“Now that I think about it, I think it was crazy,” Gupta said about quitting his job to start Handmade Expressions. “The initial stage of leaving was the inspiration that I got from meeting the artisans. I saw that they have so much talent, but they can’t make a living … and after seeing that I couldn’t let that happen.”

As a result of the efforts Gupta and his team put forth, the company has grown over the past four years.

“We are fortunately growing well,” Gupta said. “I think consumers and businesses understand what we’re doing and are supporting what we are doing by buying sustainable products.”

Gupta believes other businesses and towns like Norman will show similar success if they follow the Fair Trade model. Fair Trade is a very sustainable business model. It is not only good quality products and doing good but for the bottom line as well,” Gupta said.

For those fighting for Fair Trade throughout Norman, hearing Gupta’s message was important.

“So far what we’ve done with regard to Fair Trade in Norman has been from the point of view of the consumer … but we don’t know the reality and what happens on the other end of this product chain and Manish is someone who actually works with the artisans who make these products so he knows how Fair Trade is able to make a difference,” said Ajit Bhand, a post-doctorate researcher in mathematics.

Many students and faculty were also glad that Gupta weathered the cold to be in Norman.

“I am so excited that we actually have someone who started up a Fair Trade company,” said Stephanie Bates, public administration and Spanish graduate student. “To hear his end on what it means to be making a conscious effort to empower people to be self-sustainable and self-reliant in their own communities, that’s going to be a totally different angle from what I’ve experienced.”

Gupta said he plans to continue promoting free trade through his business and, especially, through his work with educators and students.

“I think a big part of our role is to be an educator as well as a business person, so we are trying to get engaged in as many mediums as we car,” Gupta said. “Whatever it takes.”

For more information on Gupta, Fair Trade or Handmade Expression products, visit their Web site at www.handmadeexpressions.net.