How are the pens made?
Depending on whether we use wood or acrylic, it could be up to a 54-step process. We start off by selecting the wood, getting it prepared to turn by measuring and cutting it, drilling the hole and inserting the brass tube. We then turn the pen on one of our wood lathes. Through this carving we get the pen into its appropriate shape. We finish off by multiple steps of sandpaper and micro mesh and follow up with a polish before we assemble it. All in all, its a 54-step process and takes quite a bit of time to complete from start to finish. It's a labor of love and we leave a bit of our heart and skill in every pen.
Who makes the pens?
Lovoso exists in 2 parts: the first part is a training program that equips young men for life skills to provide for their families. The second part is the commerce side where we sell the pens. In many cases, young men who leave children homes or orphanages have no skills and no where to go.
We created Lovoso as an “aftercare” program for young men graduating out of children’s homes. As mentioned above, there is a 54-step process to the pens, so there are many hands needed. Every pen is made by either the founder of the company himself, or an at-risk young man who he is training. We value the process and the skills we teach them.
Our desire is to expand Lovoso beyond woodworking to include other skilled crafts such as tailoring, blacksmithing, jewelry making, and other crafts. Our intention is to extend past our own children’s home into others around India to train up young men and women with the skills they need to provide for their families
We created Lovoso as an “aftercare” program for young men graduating out of children’s homes. As mentioned above, there is a 54-step process to the pens, so there are many hands needed. Every pen is made by either the founder of the company himself, or an at-risk young man who he is training. We value the process and the skills we teach them.
Our desire is to expand Lovoso beyond woodworking to include other skilled crafts such as tailoring, blacksmithing, jewelry making, and other crafts. Our intention is to extend past our own children’s home into others around India to train up young men and women with the skills they need to provide for their families
How do we come up with the pricing?
We have a well thought out and structured pricing model. Our supplies do not come cheaply. We know how much we pay for the pen kits, the wood, the sandpaper, cleaning materials, etc. We know how much we pay for packaging and for the training of the boys. Our pens are priced based on 5 categories: cost of the pen kit, cost of wood, shop fees that include materials used, packaging, and salary and training for the workers. Our prices are highly competitive with other similar handcrafted pens.
Does the orphanage benefit?
Yes! Lovoso is set up as a social business. Once all the obligations of the business are met, the net profits are donated to No Longer Orphans, a non profit that runs the Shiloh Children’s Home where the young men who make these pens live. So not only does the sale of every pen benefit the young men who personally make them, but it also benefits every boy who lives at the children home.
What is a social business?
In my own words, a social business is a for-profit business that chooses to use its profits for social needs. For us, we have chosen to take care of widows and orphans. We operate Lovoso as a for-profit business. We just choose to use our net profits to benefit No Longer Orphans.
Do you take custom orders?
Yes! Please send us an email at info@lovoso.com.
