The Story Behind Dottegi

Dottegi was founded to bridge the gap between artisans in developing countries and consumers in developed nations. Through sustainable jobs and skill-building, we empower women—especially mothers—to support their families and communities.

Why Dottegi?

"Dottegi" is a word from a Korean local dialect that refers to a bustling market, described as a place so busy and lively. The term originated from Busan's International Market during the Korean War, where military goods and imported goods were actively traded.


"I hope our Dottegi artisan marketplace becomes just as lively—filled with purpose, producing meaningful impact, and contributing to the development of communities across countries." – Angela Hwang

A Journey Across Borders

Dottegi was founded by Angela Hwang, inspired by her work across India, South Korea, Philippines and other countries. After observing how sustainable economic models foster long-term development—particularly by empowering women—Angela envisioned Dottegi as a bridge connecting artisans from developing countries with global consumers.

With a focus on ethically sourced, eco-friendly products, Dottegi creates a system where both artisans and consumers benefit, fostering financial independence for families and sustainable impact for communities.

How My Work Inspired Dottegi

While working with various Non profit organizations Compassion International and Ek Kadam Aur Foundation, we saw firsthand how poverty impacts education. In India, we interviewed blind students, discovering how parental support is key to a child’s success. Even with the same educational programs, children with empowered mothers achieved far better outcomes.

Other studies show that when women control income, they tend to invest in their children’s education, health, and well-being, which leads to positive outcomes for entire communities (​IMF ps ​Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation09/bloom.htm); Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, n.d.) This insight inspired Dottegi’s mission: to empower mothers through sustainable work and training, helping them lift their families out of poverty.

The Birth of Dottegi: Empowering Mothers through Sustainable Opportunities

At New York University, Wagner, our team focused on building sustainable systems to break cycles of poverty. We realized that while donations are essential, long-term impact requires a sustainable system that doesn’t rely solely on one-time emotional giving.

Inspired by South Korea’s transformation from a developing to a developed country, we saw how economic progress was driven not through donations, but by business and industrial growth. Companies like Samsung and Hyundai played crucial roles by creating jobs and building economic stability, which uplifted millions. we envisioned Dottegi using a similar principle—empowering artisans through meaningful work while connecting them with conscious consumers.

Dottegi connects artisans from developing countries with conscious consumers worldwide. Our products are ethically sourced, eco-friendly, and handcrafted, offering women artisans a sustainable income. Every purchase empowers women, strengthens families, and uplifts communities.

References
Gates Foundation. (n.d.). Women’s Economic Empowerment: Centering women in COVID-19 recovery. Retrieved from https://www.gatesfoundation.org
IMF. (2017). Invest in Women and Prosper — Finance & Development, September 2017. Retrieved from https://www.imf.org

Board of Directors

Angela Hwang – Founder

Angela Hwang holds a Master’s degree in Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy from NYU Wagner (2023). With extensive experience working with nonprofits, she has contributed to organizations like Compassion International and Ek Ka Dam Aur, where she focused on education and empowerment projects in developing countries.

Jake H – Research and Operation

Jake holds a Master’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs. He has worked on various research initiatives. With a background in law studies, sociology, and political science, Jake brings analytical insight and operational expertise to Dottegi’s development, ensuring its practices remain both impactful and efficient.

Collin H – Marketing/Sales

Collin brings diverse marketing and sales expertise from his career in industries ranging from hospitality with Hilton Hotels to aerospace and beyond. His ability to develop customer-centered strategies across various sectors supports Dottegi’s mission of connecting artisans with conscious consumers.