Archive for Charity – Page 3

Griffin Thall and Paul Goodman – Fashionably Making a Difference

Posted by dawsoncm21

· Friday, October 1st, 2021

· 2 Comments

People often get caught up in fast paced lifestyles and do not slow down to take time to appreciate the little things in life. It is always a good reminder to take a break once in a while and count your blessings. Two young, fresh out of college entrepreneurs realized that people need this reminder when reflecting on their time spent in Costa Rica and seeing how the Costa Ricans lived with a spirit of gratitude for the simple things in life. This is how their company was born.

Griffin Thall and Paul Goodman went on a trip to Costa Rica to celebrate graduating college. During their time there, they met two artisans that made bracelets and asked them to make 400 bracelets for them to take home with so they could display them in a local boutique. The artisans agreed, and the bracelets ended up selling out of the boutique in only a few days. Seeing the huge opportunity, Griffin and Paul wanted to develop a company with the bracelets. Branching off their inspiration from the lifestyle that the Costa Ricans embraced, Griffin and Paul decided to create a movement around their grateful attitudes for the simple things in life. The Costa Ricans called this lifestyle “pura vida”, so that is what they named business. Griffin and Paul partnered with the artisans in Costa Rica to launch their business, and now their employees have expanded to artisans in El Salvador, India, and more in addition to Costa Rica. They now have over 800 employees for this business, and it is continuing to grow.

Not only are Griffin and Paul spreading an inspirational message with their bracelets and jewelry, but they are also giving back to communities in need. They are providing artisans with reliable and good paying jobs with positive work environments, neither of which they had in their previous jobs. In addition to this, they have partnered with hundreds of different charities and donated millions of dollars to important causes. This is no ordinary bracelet and jewelry company. Their passion and mission for this business is apparent, and it is an inspiration that they have such a heart to give back.

These entrepreneurs helped solve the problem of low wages and poor work conditions for hundreds of people in other countries while selling a product with meaning. They are clearly driven by wanting to help others, and they are succeeding in multiple ways. This makes them unique in the jewelry business because genuine giving hearts can be hard to find. I am inspired by their story, and I have learned that seizing an opportunity is sometimes all it takes to make a big impact.

2 Comments

Categories : Charity, Jewelry, Social Impact, Travel, young entrepreneurs

Brandon and Sebastian Martinez – Founders of Are You Kidding

Posted by GleasonMK21

· Monday, September 27th, 2021

· 2 Comments

“You’re never too old or too young to start a business… you can be 7 or 70.”
– Sebastian Martinez, the 13 year old CEO.

“If we’re not learning to give back then what are we really doing for the world.”
– Brandon Martinez, the 15 year old Director of Sales

#KIDSHELPINGKIDS

These young entrepreneurs have been able to live out their passion of designing and selling their own line of fun and funky sock that are able to benefit others throughout the world with the proceeds. Brandon and Sebastian have a “Kids Helping Kids” initiative that they are very passionate because they are able to give back to their community and give other kids a chance at enjoying their lives too.

They have a wide variety of socks for you to choose from, you could choose one of the design that is non-specific to a charity or they also have designs that they have made to reflect a multitude of their charity collections. Also, they have created a way for you to make a custom pair of socks for your own charity or foundation, all you have to do is email them to start the consultation phase. This a fun way of giving to different foundations because you aren’t just giving them a donation, you are also promoting their foundation and spreading what they do by just buying and wearing a pair of socks. In my own personal experience with this company, you feel a sense of connection with them because you both share a passion of helping others in a fun way.

Are you kidding has a wide variety of local and national charities such as Stand Up To Cancer, Make-a-Wish, Amigos for Kids, Autism Speaks and many others. The boys wanted to have a fun and unique way to give back to their community that someone would remember, and I think they have done a great job at that.

Are you Kidding Socks About Us Video

2 Comments

Categories : Charity, Socks, Young Entrepreneur

Mikaila Ulmer – Me and The Bees Lemonade

Posted by flennikenjj18

· Monday, November 2nd, 2020

· 2 Comments

I think it is safe to say that most people remember their first bee sting as a painful experience. Getting stung is not pleasant and most of us learned from a young age to steer clear of bees. However, if you are a passionate, innovative 15-year-old named Mikaila Ulmer your first bee sting is a major factor in your story. 11 years before starting her business Mikaila was stung by a bee. The bee sting combined with the timely arrival of a family lemonade recipe catapulted her into action. Since that timely sting and via the encouragement of her family Mikaila has since grown her lemonade business exponentially over the last 11 years. What started as a fun way to make some spending money and help educate people about bees has become a growing enterprise for Mikaila. Nowadays, Mikaila’s lemonade comes in 6 different flavors and is sold in regional Whole Foods, Kroger’s, and restaurants near her home in Texas. So how did Mikaila become one of the most well-known young entrepreneurs in the country?

One of the biggest factors in Mikaila’s success has been the support of her family. Entrepreneurs often have good family and friends who encourage them to take risks and keep their head up when things aren’t going well in business. This was true in the case of Mikaila. Another important trait I noticed when reading about Mikaila is her desire to care for the environment. Most individuals do not start a business that helps support one of their biggest fears. When Mikaila was stung she began researching all about bees and decided to start a business to support healthy bee colonies. Creating spaces for bees to safely produce honey can prevent them from making nests near residential areas. Mikaila is helping bees thrive by selling a product she loves and believes in. She is a young entrepreneur full of drive and desire. Her lemonade business is just the beginning of her entrepreneurial career.

2 Comments

Categories : Beverages, Charity, Enviornmental, Environment

Samuel Bistrian – Roma Boots

Posted by bidelspachcr20

· Saturday, October 10th, 2020

· 1 Comment

Samuel Bistrian was born in a small impoverished village in Romania and lived there until his family had the opportunity to emigrate to the United States when he was a young boy. One of his fondest memories of his time living in Romania was when he received a pair of rain boots as a gift. These boots were significant to him because of the wet climate of his village and his lack of adequate footwear, but even so, they were more than simply a pair of shoes. They were an agent of life-changing opportunities and an inspiration for all he would do in years to come.

Later in his life, while living in the United States, Bistrian happened to be working in the retail store where Blake Mycoskie launched his first line of Toms shoes. After talking with Mycoskie and hearing more about his “one-for-one” business model, Bistrian decided to do something similar with rain boots. Despite his student loans and credit card debt, Bistrian started his company, Roma Boots, with the $5,000 in his savings account. He adopted Toms’ “one-for-one” model by donating a pair of boots to an impoverished child for every pair sold. However, he also took this redemptive aspect a step farther by using Roma Boots to support schools in impoverished villages by donating funds and reading materials. Bistrian recognized that in order to eliminate poverty, children needed more than a good pair of shoes. They also needed a good education that would empower and encourage them to do great things with their lives.

I think Samuel Bistrian is an incredible example of an entrepreneur who not only created a successful business, but also touched the lives of thousands of children in the process. He focused on his vision and not his circumstance. Though he did not necessarily have the capital and support that he needed at the time when he started his business, he sacrificed his own resources and personally took on the risk because he was determined to make an impact. His company’s motto, “give poverty the boot”, highlights the redemptive purpose of helping children overcome poverty. To this day, Roma Boots has been fighting poverty and empowering children in 26 different countries and donating over 100,000 pairs of rain boots!

Learn more at:

https://romaboots.com/

https://www.romabootspoverty.org/

1 Comment

Categories : Charity, Education, Fashion, Kids, Male Entrepreneurs, Redemptive Entrepreneurship, shoes, Social Entrepreneur, Social Impact

ManCans! Manly scented candles

Posted by simmonsbw19

· Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

· 1 Comment

Another young entrepreneur out of Ohio is Hart Main. Hart Main is a 13-year old that came up with the idea of manly scented candles. “Why don’t people make candles with scents that everyone likes?” Hart Main asked, while smelling the overly perfumed candles his sister was selling for a school fundraiser, he thought about guys who did not want their bedrooms to smell like, lavender soap. Although his sister did not expect him to fully pursue the manly scented candles idea himself, he did, and the idea has turned into a nationwide success. But before this success, before the company started, Harts’ wheels began turning, and the entrepreneur in him began to come out. He saw the opportunity right under his nose, the young entrepreneur combined his passion for helping his community with his interest in making a different sect of candle by donating to local soup kitchens and using the empty cans to hold his extraordinary scents. Main put in an initial investment of $100, his parents put in $200, and they all worked together to develop the candles as a group. Hart and his family work together to craft these handmade soy-wax-blend candles that possess the kinds of familiar smells from around the house that no man (or woman) would turn their nose up at. Hart’s current candles includes scents like dirt, fresh cut grass, sawdust, campfire, pizza, and coffee, bacon, Grandpa’s Pipe, and more. Each comes individually packed in a gift box. Today, ManCans candles are in over 60 stores across the country and have sold about 9,000 units. Main looks forward to improving his business, as well as moving into other entrepreneurial ventures, “I like the fact that I have control over things and can make decisions and see what’s actually happening,” he says.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hart-main-mancans-13-year-old-entrepreneur_n_909300

1 Comment

Categories : Air Quality, Bath, Business, Candles, Charity, Creating, Great Ideas, Male Entrepreneurs, Millennial Enrepreneuers, Social Impact, Youngest Entrepreneurs

Sofia Overton – Success In Her Pockets

Posted by vantilma17

· Sunday, September 27th, 2020

· No Comments

New Kids on the Block: Wise Pocket Products

At age 11, Sofia Overton started her company Wise Pocket Products because she wanted to help children who are active as well as those who are in need. She realized there was a lack of pocket space when she saw her cousin put her phone in her sock. After trying this for herself, she spotted the inefficiency of this method and wanted to fix this problem. She decided to make socks with pockets in them. After finding success with this product, she has decided to expand her business to sell leggings as well.

Overton, recognizing there are millions of children in need, wanted the core of her business’ mission to help children. For every pair of socks sold by Wise Pocket Products, a pair is donated to children in need. “Wise Pocket Products believes that if you make sure a child has warm feet they will always have a warm heart knowing that their community cares for them.” (Overton)

Overton saw the problems of lack of pocket space and also children who were in need. She fixed both of these issues with one solution. Overton is not only making a profit but is also giving people an opportunity to make a difference in their communities. For these reasons, it is clear to see her entrepreneurial gifts.

To learn more about Wise Pocket Products visit: https://wisepocketproducts.com/

No Comments

Categories : Charity, Clothing, Fashion, Kids, Socks, Women Entrepreneurs

Selena Gomez: Rare Beauty

Posted by duraniv18

· Sunday, September 27th, 2020

· 4 Comments

Rare Beauty - Only at Sephora - YouTube

As many of us know Selena as a successful musician and actress, her skills go far beyond the talents seen in her well known movies or songs. Recently, on September 3rd of this year, Selena released her own cosmetics line named, Rare Beauty. As a makeup and skincare enthusiast myself, I was intrigued to read about her new brand. After some research through the Rare Beauty site and watching reviews, it is clear that Selena made a statement with her new line. With the platform that Selena had already had, she was able to spread awareness of Rare Beauty quickly and began selling on the brands site as well as exclusively being sold at Sephora, online and in stores.

When researching more about her new brand, I began to realize several aspects in her mission behind Rare Beauty that prompted me to write about her for the blog post. Her entrepreneurial mindset is very evident in all she does, especially the thinking behind Rare Beauty. Selena is very passionate about her service and commitment to the communities around her. Selena has opened up throughout the years to the media about her health journey including physical and mental health and hopes to continue to use her voice and actions to make an impact on this community. A large part of the mission behind Rare Beauty is that she wants to be able to raise awareness of mental health and provide impoverished communities with the resources needed in this area. She plans to do this by every sale of Rare Beauty made, one percent will be donated to raise money for a fund that she started called, The Rare Impact Fund. Selena and her team came up with several goals for the brand, one being to raise 100 million dollars to the fund. The Rare Impact Fund is meant to increase access to mental health services. Not only did Selena start this fund, but also stated a Rare Beauty Mental Health Council. Lots of thought and planning went into the making of Rare Beauty which will foreseeably be a success since Selena’s dedication and commitment has been present since day one. Selena took the opportunity to give back to a cause she was passionate about, alongside her love for beauty, and create a brand around it. Success has already started not even a month into the debut of the line, beyond the products, consumers have also been intrigued to learn more about the story behind the line. A powerful story to empower women to tear down walls and expectations that society and media has placed onto us, specifically the “unattainable physical perfection”.

We are all rare and are all considered beautiful,and Rare Beauty aims to encourage us to find self acceptance in our own skin and know that we are still beautiful no matter what.

4 Comments

Categories : Charity, Costmetics, Health, Makeup, mental health

Sofia Overton: The Power of Pockets

Posted by hasseea20

· Friday, September 25th, 2020

· 2 Comments

Sofia Overton has wanted to be on Shark Tank since she was six. With a mind primed for innovation, it did not take her long to find her niche. An observer by nature, in 2017 Sofia noticed her older cousin struggling to store her phone in her pocket-less leggings. Sofia watched her cousin put the phone in her boot, so she tried it but found it too uncomfortable.

That is what started her entrepreneurial career. She designed a prototype sock with a pocket to hold her phone. It worked great and Wise Pockets was born. Through crowdfunding, Sofia was able to raise enough money for manufacturing. Crowdfunding can be a hit or miss risk, but for her it was a resounding success.

It worked so well that she expanded to leggings with pockets designed for carrying phones. It worked so well in fact, she earned spotlight attention and made it to Shark Tank in summer of 2020, scoring two investors.

Her self-confidence has set Sofia up for success and she is not afraid to look for new angles; she inspires with her ability to find problems with daily life and come up with a way to solve them.

Another important aspect of entrepreneurship, Sofia has a kind philanthropic heart. Impacted by the rate of homelessness at her school, she determined for every pair of socks sold one would be given to a child in need.

She said, “We are Generation Z kids who want their purchases to make a difference.” Sofia Overton is heading the wave of teenagers striving to make the world a better place. Both with purchasing, and with the opportunities they can offer the world by opening up their mind and not being afraid to use their gifts. Sofia shows us the mindset of the Gen Z.

2 Comments

Categories : Apparel/Accessories, Charity, Clothing, Convenience, Fashion

Hannah Grace – BeYOUtiful

Posted by ALLENZD19

· Monday, September 14th, 2020

· 1 Comment

Hannah Grace was only 11 years old when she decided to found her company called BeYOUtiful. BeYOUtiful is a company that sells handmade bath bombs and beauty products. Hannah was inspired by this idea when she was on her way to her favorite beauty store when her father challenged her to create her own beauty brand. That very day, Hannah returned home and started doing research on creating her own beauty products. By the end of the day, 11 year old Hannah had already made her first bath bomb. Within weeks, her products were being sold at local markets, and as of today, her products are being sold online and in 8 retail stores across two states. At only 15 years old, Hannah has accomplished more than many people do by the time they are adults.

Hannah’s story begins at an even younger age. When she was an infant, her parents found themselves in a panic as they were rushing their newborn baby to the hospital. Once Hannah arrived at the hospital, the prognosis was grim, they believed that she would not survive the night. However, even at such a young age, Hannah fought for her life and eventually overcame her struggle. She was diagnosed with type I diabetes and uses her company to advance the medical study into the disease. Hannah has committed to donating 20% of all profits made by BeYOUtiful to JDRF, a foundation that advances the research into type I diabetes.

Hannah should be an inspiration to the rest of us. She has already overcome many struggles at such a young age, but she didn’t allow those struggles to hold her down. She utilized her struggles and was able to create a successful beauty company that is committed to do good in the world. She has also proven that entrepreneurship is not only a playground for adults, it is a creative outlet that any person can utilize.

1 Comment

Categories : Apparel/Accessories, Beauty, better version of yourself, Charity, Costmetics

Stung By Success

Posted by vantilma17

· Sunday, September 13th, 2020

· No Comments

No one likes being stung by a bee – all you are left with is a painful red bump on your arm. Mikaila Ulmer’s bee sting left her with the inspiration to start a business. She came up with the idea to sell lemonade (her great grandmother’s recipe) and to donate part of the profits to help save the honeybees. At the age of 4, Ulmer entered the Action Children’s Business Fair where she pitched her idea. With help from her family, her business has grown by 500%. Ulmer now at age 15, sells her Me & the Bees Lemonade at a variety of major retailers and has even appeared on the show Shark Tank. The fact that Ulmer was 4 years old when became the founder of her own business that has grown so substantially shows her entrepreneurial gifts.

No Comments

Categories : Charity, Great Ideas, Youngest Entrepreneurs