Neither Sara Berks nor Phantila Phataraprasit can remember exactly how they became aware of one another’s brands, but each knew they had found a kindred spirit. Phataraprasit is the co-founder and CEO of Sabai, a direct-to-consumer furniture brand; Berks is the founder and CEO of Minna, a home textiles brand. Both companies are based in New York and are female-founded B Corporations that are striving to manufacture home goods in a sustainable, ethical way. Collaborating was an easy decision to make.
Berks and Phataraprasit first discussed the idea of teaming up last fall, dove into production about six months ago, and in late August debuted Sabai x Minna, a limited-edition collection of Sabai furniture with slipcovers made from Minna’s handwoven cloth.
The duo say that partnering is a sustainable business practice in its own right. “Doing limited-edition collaborations is a way of bringing newness without promoting overconsumption,” says Phataraprasit. Small runs also avoid waste, explains Berks: “If it’s for one season, we can have a variety of designs and products come out but not have to worry about stocking all of that and maintaining high inventory levels.” And because both brands are taking things that have been successful and combining them, “the odds of the combo being one that resonates with people is just higher,” adds Phataraprasit.
Teaming up also made sense for these brands because each could offer the other something they desired. Minna got to explore a new category, showcasing how their textiles could be used for upholstery. “We wouldn’t have the access to that type of manufacturing or the ability to do it in the sustainable way that we’d want to,” says Berks, who was excited the product would be displayed in Sabai’s new Brooklyn showroom. Phataraprasit, meanwhile, saw the limited-edition collection as an opportunity to support her company’s recently launched trade program. “We’ve grown so much with our direct-to-consumer business, but we want to speak to interior designers as well,” she explains. Working with Minna’s fabrics also allowed Sabai to test the waters on how customers respond to patterns and higher-priced items.
While Berks and Phataraprasit were in total alignment on their goals for the partnership, both say it is still essential to have a clear contract with detailed terms. “You need to have a contract in place for who’s going to handle what part of production, who’s going to handle photography or marketing, what your sales revenue share is going to be,” says Berks. “Having strong contracts is very important.”
Practicalities aside, collaborations like these often have soft benefits that go beyond the bottom line. “Even if people aren’t going to buy a pattern design, they appreciate it and it draws people into the brand,” says Phataraprasit. The project can also be a pure morale-booster. “Connecting with other people in the community who align with your values feels really nice,” she adds. “Collaborating feels like we’re all part of the same team that’s trying to push forward more sustainable products and practices.”
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Laura Fenton is a writer with a special interest in the intersection between homes and sustainability, and is the author of the Living Small newsletter and two interior design books, The Little Book of Living Small and The Bunk Bed Book. She has written about home and design for nearly 20 years, and her work has appeared in many outlets, including Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Real Simple, and The Washington Post, as well as online publications and regional design magazines.
