Julie Wagne
Age: 38
Location: San Francisco, CA
Occupation: Co-Founder, Petel
Growing up in Kansas, Julie Wagne had wanted to be a teacher. These days, as the co-founder of Petel, she’s educating by example. Her non-profit fosters a thriving partnership between artists, designers, and weavers in West Africa and San Francisco here in the United States. This union between those who make handcrafted textiles and local craftsmen creates one-of-a-kind items that help to continue the practice of hand-weaving and preserves artisanal traditions.
As a parent and non-profit founder, Julie has to rely on a virtue that doesn’t exactly come easily…with a laugh she cites her largest challenge to date as “the extreme effort it requires for me to be patient.”
But the persistence has paid off.
With their commitment to providing resources to tribal villages and communities, and their promise of exceeding fair wages, Petel’s mission has helped send children to schools, given security to families, and protected the cultural heritage of the Fulani people that inspires their textile creations.
The name Petel comes from the Fulani word meaning “little spark.” Because it comes from the language shared among their tribal weavers, it seemed natural to use a word that is both vibrant and inspiring. “It is our dream that this “little spark” will ignite a fire of hope, inspiration and self-sufficiency through craft among the Fulani in West Africa,” Petel’s mission statement declares.
“I would love to continue to find ways to be artistically creative while helping artisans in West Africa,” Julie adds.
While no day is ever typical for her so it’s hard to describe her template for success, Julie passes on this crucial piece of advice that has fueled her since her early days in Kansas. “If you want to do something, do it. Believe in yourself and keep going!”
We think that’s great advice! For giving back to the creative communities that means so much to her, we think that Julie Wagne is a Cool Girl!
Awesome!!!
Julie is the bomb!!! How she manages to do it all is a true test of coolness.