ST PAUL, Minnesota — Dec. 21 is expected to be one of the busiest days at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport heading into Christmas. That's good news for a local business inside Terminal 1, whose mission stretches to the other side of the world.
Everre Bags, also known as House of Everre, opened its first kiosk inside MSP Airport in September. It's located in Concourse C, across from the Delta Skyclub near Gate C12.
Yvonne Amarteifio of Brooklyn Park started the fashion and accessory brand after losing her corporate job during the pandemic.
"I started off actually selling waist beads. They are a part of my culture. I was born in Ghana," Amarteifio explained. "Then I started doing bracelets. Then I said, 'Keep going. You have to keep re-inventing yourself' and that's when I started trying purses."
At first, it was rough. But Amarteifio was able to refine her process — designing and making one-of-a-kind beaded handbags.
Each piece takes anywhere from 30-60 hours to complete. Amarteifio, who also has a day job, did not have the time to make each handbag. That's when she partnered with the Jamarit Creations and Training Center in Ghana.
"Ghana is a fabulous place but in Ghana, every time I visit what breaks my heart the most is that there's no middle class. Either you have it or you don't. It's the haves and the have-nots," Amarteifio said. "So every time I go, I'm like, 'How can I give back to my country? How can I give back to the country that gave birth to me?'"
According to Amarteifio, Everre currently gives 40%-60% of the profits to the center to provide scholarships for students. It covers all food, uniforms, materials and any additional tuition costs.
Students at the Jamarit Creations and Training Center train for a year. After graduating, they can go out on their own or stay with Everre in a full-time position.
"If you think about it, these bags take 30-60 hours to make. How could I not make sure that they're trained and fed well? Because they're helping me grow and establish my business. So it's a win-win situation for all of us," Amarteifio said.
According to Amarteifio, they currently have at least five full-time employees including a master weaver. Everything is done by hand and no one piece is the same.
For example, their Barbie collection has been a hit. Amarteifio also came up with a fashionable clear beaded bag that is stadium-approved.
Amarteifio has also started a nonprofit called Beads to Feed Sponsorship and Scholarship Program where all donations directly go to the training center.
Everre is approaching its first anniversary.
"I wanted to be able to gift them the gift of opportunity and that is my passion, giving back," she said.
Amarteifio added, "Holiday time, I know it's about family and coming together but think about the people who don't have. So this is a way — an opportunity — to help them, as well."
You can shop online or at MSP Airport.
House of Everre
MSP Airport
Terminal 1, Concourse C, Cart near Gate C12
Know a local business we should feature for our Behind the Business segment? Email Heidi Wigdahl at hwigdahl@kare11.com.
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