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WAM Ojibway Originals
WAM Ojibway Originals is a Native Art & Craft business owned and operated by William(Bill)
Anthony Monague. Bill offers a wide range of his craft work such as Native handicrafts, original art ,
work, carvings from bone and antler, custom paintings or carvings, quill work, pipe bags and jewelry.
Bill creates contemporary and Traditional Native art celebrating life, inspired by his memories, Native
legends and everyday events. Custom logos for Native organizations are also available.
Many years ago, while working as a volunteer teaching crafts in the Little Beavers program at a
Friendship Centre in Cockrane, Bill was first inspired to sell his work. He is a self-taught artist, starting
out learning from a book about crafts and realizing that he could make money off of his talent and
creativity. While doodling one day at the Friendship Centre, a bus load of tourists approached him and
offered to buy his work. Then he did a show in Timmins and later a mural which further encouraged his
work. Bill traveled the Powwow circuit across North America for 15 years. Customers would be
waiting for him to set up when he arrived at the Powwow's. He found that he would sell out at these
events. Some buyers wanted to purchase his art wholesale, which he very quickly learned meant selling
his crafts for half price. He decided that he would sell his own work and established a home based
business when he lived in British Columbia. When he moved back near his home community of
Beausoleil First Nation, he worked on construction for a while before setting up his home based
business of today. With $1,200 invested in raw in materials he started up his business again. His
partner provides support in public relations and in motivation for continued creativity.
His business rapidly expanded by work of mouth and with business cards. He quickly learned what
would sell and extended the range of crafts offered to meet the demand. He also earned international
recognition designing a cover for UNICEF for their educational publication on children's stories for
indigenous peoples.
Challenges in this business for Bill were financial constraints and the need for a reliable vehicle. The
resources accessed were a financial institutions, the Ontario Arts Council for a grant and also the
Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) for business training when he started his first
business in BC.
His customer base is mainly Powwow participants, Native organizations and individuals, tourists and art
collectors. Characteristics required to own and operate a successful Aboriginal Business are being
outgoing, friendly and a good sales person. Bill is proud of the fact that he is capable of running his
own business as well as seeing his custom made jewelry on people in posters. He has more freedom
and less pressure working for himself, since he is now able to do custom work, instead of making many
replicas of the same item.
Crucial to his success is good craftsmanship, excellent quality of work along with the meaning that goes
into each piece. If Bill were to start over in this business he would get more business training. Advice
for young entrepreneurs is to have a good business plan before embarking in the business.
Potential businesses that would compliment his business are Art Galleries.
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