Kei & Molly Textiles isn’t an ordinary business. The company's screen printed products are carried in more than 400 stores across the country, but that’s not what makes this business special.
“We always wanted to create meaningful jobs for immigrants and refugees in our community,” said Kei Tsuzuki, owner of Kei & Molly.
Kei started Kei & Molly with her business partner, Molly Luethi, in 2010. They wanted to create a business that would provide easy-to-learn jobs that would also pay well. They settled on screen printing, with products ranging from napkins and aprons to their well-known flour sack dish towels. Most of their employees are refugees and immigrants from around the world.
Production manager Marisa Maynard was drawn to Kei & Molly Textiles because she is the daughter of immigrants, and she recognized the importance of Kei & Molly’s ethos. It’s more than just a bunch of employees, especially when it comes down to creating products.
“We work differently in that we really print as a team,” Marisa said. “We all take turns printing and it really takes the hierarchy out of the equation. There's always someone next to you checking the quality of your print, and we are really responsible to each other.”
“What sets us apart from most small businesses is that we really do invest in our staff in a way that is patient and loving and supporting,” Kei said. “People come here with very little understanding of how to even work in a workplace, let alone an American workplace, and so we teach these skills, but we do it in a way that is supportive and fun.”
The printing process is quite involved, with a team of three people working on a large table that fits 36 towels. One person pins new towels and vacuums them for lint. The second person does the printing itself. The third person checks the quality of the print, unpins the towels and hangs them to dry. Kei & Molly also uses a traditional press to print tote bags, napkins and sponge cloths.
All of these items can be purchased at Kei & Molly’s retail store in Albuquerque, located in Nob Hill, alongside other handmade items from around the city and the world.
But Kei & Molly is about a lot more than just the products. It’s about the people behind them.
“I just hope people that are considering starting a small business look to Kei & Molly Textiles as a model for how you can really support people and have a business at the same time and not forget the humanity in your employees,” said Marisa.
@visitalbuquerque Kei and Molly is a local gem. Learn a bit more about them and their mission! #creative #albuquerque #newmexico #keiandmolly ♬ original sound - Visit Albuquerque
