Author Archive for GilkinsonNR23

Colby and McKenzie Bauer and their Wild, Passionate Wallets

Thread Wallets: From Childhood Bedroom to the Inc. 500The journey starts in a grocery store – specifically the produce aisle, and more specifically, in front of the brocolli. Colby Bauer, a twenty-something surfer, was tired of trying to carry around all of his stuff, from his keys to his cards and cash. There was no good, minimalistic way. Until he saw the brocolli, wrapped in the answer to all of his problems: a rubber band. At that moment, he had it figured out. It helped him to be more mindful about the stuff he carried around every day and free up the time and space filled by managing all of his things. However, brocolli rubber bands are not made to last, and before long, he needed something else. So, with some hot glue, scissors, and elastic, he put together a prototype of what would eventually be called “ThreadWallets” – a minimalistic and durable elastic wallet meant to help carry his stuff around. Then he met someone with a sewing machine – McKenzie – and together they made wild, passionate wallets. They sold them at farmers markets and other sales, and they sold like crazy. People were in love with how simple they were. McKenzie and Colby ended up getting married, had a family, and turned ThreadWallets into a company with the mission of helping people get their stuff together and Carry On. Since then, they have upgraded their brand to carry elastic wallets, bifold wallets, crossbody bags, lip balm holders, tote bags, lanyards, and AirPods cases.

As a customThread Wallets Apricot Elastic Walleter of ThreadWallets myself, it is obvious that this company has had an impact on all who purchase from them. Their stylish but minimalistic wallets encourage a mindset of simplicity, not requiring users to carry around everything – only the essentials. The company may not seem to be the most significant, but they are making a huge statement and helping people living simply and Carry On. As their website boldly states,”Thread established its brand mission, Carry On, as a call to any and all that values personal progress and self-expression. With this slogan we are driven to be the go-to all things carry brand.” It would have been easy for Colby and McKenzie to see their product as something that wouldn’t be adopted by many based on its simplicity. However, they believed in their ability to solve a problem that many didn’t know they had, helping people live better along the way. This is an inspiring story of someone seeing a problem and finding a way to solve it, perfecting it along the way!

Visit their website: https://www.threadwallets.com/

florence by mills: Millie Bobby Brown’s Mission to Make Makeup Fun

Glow Forward Glaze DropsMany people recognize Millie Bobby Brown’s name from her numerous iconic TV/movie roles, including Eleven in Stranger Things and Enola Holmes in the Enola Holmes franchise. On top of these and other award-winning performances, she runs a business called “florence by mills”. This company is a beauty company focused on selling makeup products. What makes her stand out from other beauty companies is her approach to beauty from a Gen-Z standpoint. Additionally, she creates beauty products “founded on the belief that true beauty comes from loving and embracing yourself.” As she explains, she sat in hundreds of makeup chairs throughout her career, allowing her to experiment with what worked for her skin. As a result, she has found what she loves for her skin – and her mission is to help her generation find that as well.

All of this was inspired by the namesake of her company – her grandmother, Florence. Millie describes Florence as someone who embraced her individuality and wasn’t afraid to express herself, and that’s what Millie hopes to empower those who buy her makeup to do as well. And in addition to her commendable mission of revolutionizing beauty for GenZ, she has attached other amazing missions to her company. Firstly, florence by mills supports the Olivia Hope foundation, a not-for-profit with the mission to end childhood cancer that was founded in memory of Millie’s childhood friend Olivia Hope LoRusso, who passed away from a battle with leukemia. Additionally, florence’s products are vegan and cruelty-free, adding ethically-sourced materials to her list of mission-focused initiatives.

And she did all of this while she was 15 and working as an actress. If her world-changing company didn’t convince you of her amazing entrepreneurial abilities, the mere fact of her age reminds anyone thinking about starting an ethical, impactful business is completely possible. I am inspired by Millie Bobby Brown’s purpose in mission in florence by mills and believe that she has the power to change the way GenZ approaches beauty altogether.

Entrepreneurial Prodigy: Trent Jackson and His Journey to Multimillions

Entrepreneurship, as Trent Jackson explains it, has always been a part of who he is. Starting at age 8, he sold flipped equipment in newspapers and burnt CD’s to his family to make money, and since then, has grown to own multiple wildly successful companies, the most notable being Jesus Loves You Apparel (www.jesuslovesyou.company). Jesus Loves You is a “Jesus-based movement structured as a clothing line”, which sells t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other clothing items with messages meant to “Turn the Conversation Around”. Inspired by the Holy Spirit’s promptings and the lack of others-centered Christian clothing on the market, Jackson and his team design clothing with the mission that their pieces inspire conversations that lead people to life-changing relationships with Jesus. This intentional and genuine mission has led to lots of success, with the company shipping almost half a million orders since its founding. Despite these amazing numbers, the company is serious about making sure to give credit where it’s due – and that’s not to themselves. As he states on the Jesus Loves You website, “Our heart has never been for us. Maybe that’s not the best business tactic, but we know this message is a lot bigger than just a ‘trendy fashion line.’…  This is not a message “for Christians – by Christians.” This is for people – by Jesus.'” This deflection of glory from themselves to Jesus proves how genuine this company is about their motivations – to share the love of Christ.

Jackson is pursuing other ventures as well, within music, entertainment, and social media marketing. These pursuits have led to Jackson becoming a multimillionaire – and all without a college degree. He started at Lee University in 2015, but dropped out when he realized that college “wasn’t for him”. In addition, he grew up poor, starting from the bottom. This self-starter, without the “proper” education, formed numerous incredibly successful companies, all while giving God the glory. This is an incredible example for any aspiring entrepreneur: there are no prerequisites. Enter the journey with a sense of confidence and leave fear behind, trusting in God’s provision.