Bella Luo, L.E.A.D. Research Fellow
Bella is a student at Cary Christian School interested in business and design. She has experience in art, art competitions, volunteering to teach kids, and playing volleyball, where she has developed creativity, teamwork, leadership, and strong communication skills.
As a LEAD Research Fellow, Bella is working on a project focused on low income for bamboo artisans in Lubao, Philippines. This issue impacts local families and craftsmen who currently earn very low wages, and is important because it limits economic opportunities and contributes to youth migration, while bamboo offers great potential for sustainable development and environmental benefits.
Her project aims to increase artisans’ hourly earnings by teaching them to produce modern bamboo jewelry and sell it directly to global customers online. Donations will support research materials, product samples, and professional presentations, helping to create practical business strategies that can be integrated into the new schools, civic center, and park to build a more economically vibrant community in Lubao.
About My Research:
Creating International Sales Channels for Local Craftspeople
Hypothesis
By teaching local craftsmen to make modern jewelry and selling it to international buyers online, we can turn a cheap piece of wood into an expensive global product, significantly increasing the money artisans take home.
In Lubao, Philippines, the implementation of a Digital-Global Micro-Enterprise Model—utilizing standardized “Export-Grade” treatment, minimalist product design, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) global platforms (Etsy/Shopify)—will result in a statistically significant increase in the Value-Added Multiplier of raw bamboo and the Hourly Labor Rate of local artisans compared to the traditional domestic handicraft model.
Outcomes
A Smarter Way to Grow
We’re building a clear, proven plan to show how working together across borders can actually make businesses more profitable. By streamlining how things are made and sold, we prove that global trade doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to be successful.
Helping Local Artists Reach the World
Our project is all about getting more money into the hands of local artisans and craft-makers. By connecting them directly to international buyers, we cut out the middleman and the extra fees that usually eat up their profits. This means the people actually doing the work keep more of what they earn.
Building a Lasting Future
Your support does more than just fund a project; it invests in a model that works for everyone. When local businesses earn more, they hire more people and spend more in their own neighborhoods. Your sponsorship helps us create a ripple effect of success that strengthens the entire community for the long run.