Under the brand name "Santiago Besteiro Design", from his workshop in Monterroso, Santiago Besteiro, winner of the National Crafts Award 2022 in the Entrepreneurship category, is dedicated to the design, development and manufacture of high quality products made from natural and biodegradable materials such as leather, wood and stone.

Image ©Paco Rocha

When did it become clear to you that you would devote your professional life to craftsmanship?

From a very early age, I found myself involved in various craft trades. At home, my father made baskets, chairs, etc. That set me on a path that I would later complete by going to the School of Arts and, later, studying Fine Arts. It was clear to me that creation was my path.

In a world dominated by digitalisation and new technologies, is there a place for traditional crafts?

Of course, they have their place and they are necessary. On the one hand, as a cultural legacy to be preserved and taught; and on the other hand, as a service that is always in demand and always has an audience.

What is the key to making a living from something you like?

The key is to keep digging until you find your place. Of course there is no formula that leads directly to that, but there are some steps that help. One is training. You need training in design, in product development, in techniques and also in market knowledge. That's the basics, and obviously the more, the better.

Quality and attention to detail are certainly key ingredients in your products, but so are sustainability and innovation.

Quality and attractive design are the basic ingredients for a good product. But the world we live in continues adding new things to the mix, and one of them is sustainability. Craftsmanship, due to its processes and techniques, is usually much more sustainable than industrial production. In addition, I add the use of natural materials and, of course, sustainability from the point of view of quality: a product that lasts longer has less impact on the environment. On the other hand, innovation is a driving force that must be constantly on the move: it helps to improve products and give them a competitive advantage over others.

Do you consider the Artesanía de Galicia brand to be at a competitive advantage when it comes to making yourself known and selling your products nationally and internationally?

Artesanía de Galicia is the best national offering as a support brand for craftspeople. In my case, thanks to being part of this brand, I was able to attend national fairs and events to promote and sell my products, which helped me to find my place. Also, thanks to the different lines of aid offered by the Regional Ministry of Industry in partnership with Artesanía de Galicia, Galician craftspeople are more competitive. It is fortunate to have the support we have in this Community. Both nationally and internationally, craftspeople are envied.

Artesanía de Galicia goes beyond just being a brand that supports us, it is also a point of union between craftspeople and companies. They are constantly looking for ways to forge links between craftspeople and chefs, craftspeople and international fashion brands, and so on.

You have an online shop and active social media profiles, do you think they influence the success of your brand?

These are necessary tools for today's times. If you are not online, you don't exist. I don't think they are the number one success factor in my case, but they are a support for the brand and allow me to get some sales and visibility.

Is the future of brands in modernisation and digital transformation?

It is, even if we don't like it or find it difficult to adapt. The digital world is here to stay and we have to adapt ourselves to the demands of the market, which are to be present in the digital world.