Weaving change: How Celina Chigne is redefining social enterprise with Casa Cantua

During her master’s studies at the London School of Economics (LSE), Celina Chigne researched Indigenous communities and sustainable development. Through this work, she identified the remarkable weaving and embroidery skills of Peruvian female artisans. These insights would later help shape Casa Cantua, a social enterprise that connects Peruvian artisan products to new audiences in the UK.

Today, Casa Cantua serves as a bridge between traditional Peruvian craftsmanship and customers in the UK, helping bring authentic artisan-made products to a wider audience while supporting meaningful social impact.

Discovering the potential

During her master’s degree programme at LSE, Celina conducted research into Indigenous communities and sustainable development. Through this work, she became increasingly aware of the remarkable artistic talent that existed within many Peruvian communities, particularly among women skilled in weaving and embroidery.

Her research highlighted both the cultural value of these traditional skills and the opportunities that existed to connect artisans with wider markets.

The importance of preserving these skills extends beyond individual communities. According to UNESCO, safeguarding traditional craftsmanship relies on protecting the knowledge and techniques of craftspeople rather than simply preserving finished products. Traditional weaving and embroidery techniques therefore form part of a wider effort to protect intangible cultural heritage while supporting local livelihoods for future generations.

Casa Cantua provides a practical example of what a social enterprise can look like in action. The business combines commercial activity with a clear social mission, ensuring that cultural preservation, community development, and economic empowerment sit alongside financial sustainability.

Reflecting on the early stages of the journey, Celina says:

Starting was the biggest challenge, but you find your path step by step.

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Expert insight

Supporting founders at the earliest stages of their journey can have a lasting impact. Through its partnership with LSE Generate, 1st Formations helps aspiring entrepreneurs access mentorship, funding opportunities, and practical support as they develop ideas into viable businesses.

As Graeme Donnelly, Founder and CEO of 1st Formations, explains:

One of the reasons we’re proud to partner with LSE Generate is because it supports founders who are solving real problems in innovative ways. Casa Cantua is a great example of how entrepreneurship can create opportunities, strengthen communities, and generate positive impact beyond the business itself.

The mission behind Casa Cantua

At its heart, Casa Cantua exists to achieve two goals.

The first is preserving Peru’s rich textile heritage by supporting artisans who continue to practise traditional techniques passed down through generations. The second is creating flexible and dignified employment opportunities for women, particularly single mothers who may face barriers to traditional employment.

Through carefully crafted collections of Peruvian home decor, Casa Cantua connects these artisans with customers in the UK who value authenticity, craftsmanship, and ethical production.

The mission centres on helping artisans gain recognition for their skills while expanding access to new markets.

As Celina explains:

Proud of their art and craft, they finally see possibilities.

Challenges and insights from the founder journey

Like many first-time founders, Celina quickly discovered that building a business meant stepping into multiple roles at once.

One day might involve developing marketing campaigns. The next could focus on finances, operations, supplier relationships, logistics, or customer engagement. Navigating these responsibilities while building a new venture created a steep learning curve.

The uncertainty of entrepreneurship was another hurdle, one shared by many founders during the early stages of building a business. Moving from an academic environment into the realities of running a business requires confidence, adaptability, and resilience.

Support from LSE Generate played an important role during this period. Through the programme, Celina connected with fellow entrepreneurs who understood the challenges of building an early-stage business. These relationships provided encouragement, practical advice, and a valuable support network.

Her advice for aspiring founders is simple:

Don’t feel like you need all the answers before starting. Surrounding yourself with other founders is invaluable.

Creating social impact through community design

Casa Cantua’s impact extends beyond employment opportunities – it reinvests profits into programmes designed to support self-esteem and sustainable parenting among its artisan partners.

This model reflects a broader commitment to sustainable design. According to the United Nations, women globally spend around 2.5 times more hours on unpaid domestic and care work than men, highlighting the importance of flexible economic opportunities for women balancing work and caregiving responsibilities. Social sustainability sits alongside environmental responsibility, helping ensure that business growth contributes positively to individuals, families, and communities.

For the artisans involved, the benefits extend beyond income. The programmes help build confidence, strengthen community connections, and create greater long-term stability for families.

The result is a business model that balances commercial growth with measurable community benefits.

Inspiring words for aspiring entrepreneurs

For anyone considering launching a venture of their own, Celina believes purpose matters more than perfection.

Many aspiring entrepreneurs spend years waiting for the ideal time to start. However, experience has taught her that progress often comes through taking the first step rather than waiting until every answer is known.

Maintaining perspective, prioritising mental wellbeing, and remaining connected to the wider purpose behind a business can help founders navigate inevitable challenges.

As Celina puts it:

You might feel like an intern in various roles, but that’s where growth happens.

Graeme Donnelly believes this willingness to learn and adapt is one of the defining characteristics of successful founders:

No entrepreneur starts with all the answers. Building a business is a continual learning process, and progress often comes from taking small, deliberate steps rather than waiting for certainty. The founders who succeed are usually the ones willing to keep learning, keep adapting, and keep moving forward.

A future woven together

Casa Cantua demonstrates what can happen when entrepreneurship is guided by purpose. Through Casa Cantua, traditional skills that might otherwise struggle to reach international audiences are finding new visibility and appreciation.

The business highlights how entrepreneurial thinking can be used to address real-world challenges while creating value for both customers and communities. Casa Cantua is also part of the By Women Built movement, a consumer initiative to empower female entrepreneurs. Displaying the ‘By Women Built’ logo shows buyers why purchasing from them matters and encourages shoppers to support a stronger and fairer economy.

For those inspired by Celina’s journey, you can learn more about Casa Cantua and explore its collection of handcrafted products through the Casa Cantua website.

If you’re considering launching your own venture, explore our guide to registering a company in the UK and discover the support available through the 1st Formations x LSE Generate partnership.