I just got back from Natural Products Expo West and one of the highlights was, without a doubt, my visit with Philip and Katy Leakey, the founders of The Leakey Collection.

It was a rare trip to the states for the husband and wife team, who live and work as ecopreneurs in Kenya.  Philip is the son of renowned paleo-anthropologists, Drs. Louis and Mary Leakey. And though Philip doesn’t work uncovering fragments of man’s past like his father, he is turning to nature to create gifts for the planet’s future and to provide sustainable work opportunities for over 1400 of his neighbors, the Maasai.

Last year was the year of a historic drought in Kenya, so severe that even giraffe, which are usually very resilient during droughts, were dying in masses. Even though rains came on Christmas day, it is still uncertain if Kenya will recover this year.

In order to meet this challenge, Philip and his wife Katy have expanded their Lifestyle line (The Leakey Collection) using “nature’s leftovers” (fallen acacia wood, a nuisance grass and fallen Marula fruit). Philip & Katy have built a business “from the ground up” and in turn have provided work opportunities that are affecting lives on a grand scale. The Leakeys run their global company from a 12×12 tent in Kenya.

The Leakey Collection, a fair trade company,  was born eight years ago, during the last severe drought which devastated Kenya’s pasturelands, bringing dire conditions to the Maasai who depend on their cattle for a livelihood. At this time, the Leakeys were personally supporting over 100 Maasai families financially.  Quotes Philip, “This situation was not sustainable for either party”.  The Leakeys were determined to find a way to help their neighbors become self-sufficient. Realizing the potential of the Maasai’s natural bead working skills, the Leakeys combined Philip’s knowledge of ecology and conservation with Katy’s artistic abilities and love of nature to create Zulugrass jewelry.

Today Zulugrass is sold in shops in over 20 countries and at leakeycollection.com. As Kenya experiences trying times, The Leakey Collection continues to offer hope to thousands in East Africa.

According to Katy, her husband “has the unique ability to see potential that others overlook. From turning fallen acacia wood into a serving tray, to making jewelry from grass, or lotion from Marula nut oil, Philip is incredibly creative.” She also went on to say that the Maasai have become very entrepreneurial and that these opportunities have inspired them to develop their own businesses.

Sara with Maasai women

I grew to love the Maasai people during my trip last year to Kenya with the Microfinance company, MicroPlace.

And I began to love the Leakey Collection when I was first introduced to it a year or two ago. Since then I’ve worn the Leakey bracelets often and am now sold on the Marula Oil the Leakeys have developed with these same Maasai beauties – women who know a thing of two about hydrating skin and looking effortlessly young.

Also on SaraSnow.com