As it happened, the items David took back home were exceedingly well-received. Before long, he was growing his network of Thai artists and artisans and working on getting more of their products to sell in craft markets across the UK.
“Initially, I saw this as a lifestyle business. I didn’t care about big sales and big profits. If I covered my costs and was able to support the artisans I worked with, that was enough for me.”
So, for a few more years, he let the business grow organically.
Then, in 2015, the contacts he’d made in Thailand put him in touch with a local family-run factory that made hand-painted ceramics with distinctive rainbow patterns.
It was an unmissable opportunity – to support the factory and distribute a Grade A ceramics range; thus, the factory’s Windhorse brand was developed and registered.
From day 1, David’s goal for Windhorse ceramics was to support the incredibly talented artisans and artists of the beautiful, far-flung country he fell in love with.