The misty Andean range between Simijaca and Susa nestles a small herd of Merino-Corriedale crossbred sheep, a treasure that Luisa Pizano inherited from her mother, Carmen Salazar. She not only inherited these sheep, but also her pioneering and humanitarian spirit. The sheep were initially part of a social entrepreneurship initiative Carmen and her friend Dora created in the 1960s. They helped engage the community's women in wool-spinning and weaving, all in a fundraising effort for Simijaca’s nursing home.
Luisa retired to the hills of her parents' farmland in 2013 to restore the surviving herd of sheep, keeping the project’s name Cardolan, as a tribute to the two precursors, Carmen and Dora. She set up a production line as her mother had with the community. She developed the initiative to include a commercial and communications team with her son and niece. Today, Cardolan crafts a varied portfolio of wool fabrics for home and wear, captivating a growing clientele, primarily through its vibrant Instagram account, sustainability and co-creation practices.
