"Zen"
A very high form of enlightenment. Usually studied within Buddhist monasteries, this ancient practice emphasizes enlightenment by the most direct means, accepting formal studies and observances only when they form part of such means. Zen practices also date back to ancient philosophers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius.
"waro"
The literal Spanish translation of Sanctuary is "Santuario". This beautiful word can also be translated as shrine or sanctum. To us, "Santuario" means "home." A home or Sanctuary is the space where we spend some of the most important moments of our life. Often, it is where we go to find peace and to heal. It is the domain where we cook and share delightful food with friends and family. Home is where we hang our art and place our furniture. It is the place that we make our own.
Therefore the meaning of Zenwaro is a "Sanctuary of Zen."
Zenwaro provides products that are handmade by true artisans. These products are crafted with great talent and are influenced by culture. Our products tell a story of craftsmanship and artistry, emphasizing quality and the aesthetics of great design and function. Upon introducing them into your Sanctuary, you will find they often bring about Zen moments.
In the early days and weeks of 2018, our humble team began working on a few significant changes within our brand. Daunting and unfathomable, these "plans for change" were when we understood that restructuring was quite necessary.
Toward the end of 2017, to the dismay of our many dedicated patrons, we decided to close the last of our retail brick-and-mortar locations; this decision was reached through much introspection, a lot of analysis, and a weighty heart.
For three decades, this family-owned and operated business stretched from the "Four Corners Area" of Colorado to the desert valley of Las Vegas, A fantastic opportunity to build delightful boutiques and home decor showrooms known as Daniel's West, Tesoro Trading, and San Miguel Trading. Creating and operating these showrooms was truly a labor of love, which allowed us to offer a range of services and share artwork, lighting, furniture, folk art, and so much more with friends and patrons. Yet from 2008 through the advancing decade, the retail landscape had significantly changed in Colorado, Las Vegas, the greater West Coast, and the entire United States. Online platforms and technology ushered in a new era of the retail experience for us all.
We learned many lessons during this 2008 to 2018 period of significant disruption. As a family, we experienced profound tragedy not once but twice. We also recognized a notable change was taking place across the retail sector, yet understood a grander fundamental change was on the horizon for the entire industry; we did not know that it would be significantly accelerated by a global pandemic.
No change or transition is easy. Change will always be a challenge.
To quote Marcus Aurelius in his book of Meditations, "What stands in the way becomes the way."
More importantly, positive change should bring new ideas and perspectives, new communication methods, and undoubtedly new opportunities. In times of uncertainty, we have learned there is one assurance that you can count on "change." After 24 months of formulating new policies and procedures, testing different fulfillment models, adjusting supply chain channels, researching market analysis data, essentially all of the forethought and not-too-sexy trench work necessary before pressing the "Play Button." The strategy started in 2018 was complete, and with 2019 almost in the rearview, as a team, we decided to put one foot in front of the other and walk right into 2020, a year commonly remembered for not having the slightest remorse for planning.
Greatness, is in the agency of others!
One can never be sure if their chosen paths will lead toward the great destiny envisioned before embarking on the journey. Though it is irrefutable that significant risks will be taken, lessons will be learned, remarkable friendships will be made, and an overall enlightening experience will be had. Suppose both mind and heart are strong, and you surround yourself with friends, peers, and partners whose abilities and dreams exceed your own. In that case, you and your business will likely differ from when the journey began.
When one door closes, no less than 5 more beautifully carved wood doors open. The Zenwaro online platform, customer service strategy, and order fulfillment model, which we have worked diligently to develop and sustain, are just a few of those "beautiful metaphorical doors." Our team has spent years crafting a quality digital interface that compliments our diverse collection of products. Refining the tiniest details to develop not just a website but more so an experience that is quality, uncomplicated, and beautiful! As our lovely boutiques were thoughtfully constructed to escape the same old mundane decor shops, we built zenwaro.com to be authentic, beautiful, and quality experience for you! We have dedicated countless months to creating a multifaceted platform filled with beautifully sharp product images and videos, allowing you to envision the beauty in your surroundings. Our website includes:
Comprehensive product descriptions communicating every unique detail of our products, how they are made. The design process and sustainable manufacturing process that begins at the artisan studio.
The personal stories of our extended family of artisans, where their talent comes from and what drives their creativity.
The Zenwaro Journal is an on-going conversation with our beloved artisans. We bring you in on the collaborative process and our full-body contact with culture. The Zenwaro family embarked on this endeavor with a few fundamental goals- create a platform that communicates the artisan story, invites you on the journey that each product embarks from with the artisan studio all the way to your door, describes the culture that we experience, celebrates the creativity of our customers(yes that means you), and to share nuggets of wisdom for how to create a unique and beautiful sanctuary.
