Design with intention to tell a story that values culture, craftsmanship and community is how it all started — basically.
In 2019, Chris Olimpo and his co-founder, Ian Origenes, started Our Little Ideas (OLI). They weren’t just building a business — they were building bridges. OLI began as a social enterprise aimed at connecting Gawad Kalinga communities and Bulakenyo weavers with broader markets through timeless, sustainably-made home products.
“We wanted to bring locally woven products into the consciousness of the modern Filipino home,” Olimpo shares. Their standout product, the handwoven banig throw pillow, has become an emblem of this vision — made with handloomed fabric from Camarines Sur, and handsewn in a Gawad Kalinga community in Bulacan. From packaging to product, everything is sustainably sourced and locally produced.
From passion to purpose, OLI started with only two people. Destiny eventually helped them find their way to Kultura — a contemporary vital retail platform for social enterprises — and became part of the SM Green Finds program.
Today, they are partnered with two to three weaving communities and a team of sewers, with production scaling up during peak seasons.
Getting their products into Kultura stores in SM Aura, SM Makati and online was a pivotal moment. “Kultura has given our brand credibility and widened our reach beyond our usual online channels. More importantly, they’ve helped amplify our impact on the communities we serve,” Olimpo said.
At the heart of every handcrafted product lies a deeper story, a story of community, culture and conscious choices. For Kultura, these stories are the foundation of their advocacy for sustainable Filipino living. Olimpo notes that working with Kultura has pushed them to improve — from better quality control to more refined branding. “Kultura is a great fit because they truly live out their commitment to supporting Filipino craftsmanship and sustainability,” he says.
The future is all about purpose. OLI is set to grow its product line, partner with more weaving communities, and continue making a mark in the Filipino home.
For Chris, the SM Green Finds program is a movement championing local conscious living, uplifts small businesses with big visions, empowers communities, preserves Filipino heritage, and help make choices that save the planet. The celebrated entrepreneur ends, “We don’t just sell pillows — we tell stories that are good for the home and food for the soul.”