Robert Felder was on a high school trip to Bangladesh in 2012 and saw a need for both jobs and ethical clothing production. Simple as that, the menswear brand (bear with me) Bearbottom was born. Robert wanted to give back to the people in Bangladesh with things like jobs and clothing. He returned and began to build his business.
Back in western Florida, Robert couldn’t find any daily wear clothing that suited his adventurous lifestyle, especially not year round. This was his opportunity to produce his own! He saw that he could both give back to the people of Bangladesh, as they were one of the largest clothing/apparel manufacturing countries in the world at that time. He could provide jobs by manufacturing clothing and give back to the people with a buy one give one business model.
By 2014, the business was launched (while Robert was still in highschool!) and has been growing steadily ever since. They now have donated over one million meals to children in India, where some of the manufacturing has been done. Bearbottom has committed to ethical practices with their Vender Code of Ethics, which prohibits Child labor, Forced labor, Discrimination, Bribery, and many other items. They have also committed to sustainability, keeping long lasting comfort in mind while providing shorts, pants, and other menswear from recycled materials. they test everything they make themselves and hold their products to a high standard.
Robert, as a entrepreneurial highschooler, saw a massive need among producing countries for jobs and ethical practices, and shifted that into his own, very profitable business.
Visit Bearbottom’s webpage to learn more!
What an inspiring story! Robert Felder’s journey from a high school trip to Bangladesh to founding Bearbottom is a testament to his vision and determination. It’s amazing how he identified a need for ethical clothing production and job creation in Bangladesh and turned it into a successful business model. His commitment to giving back, as seen in the buy one give one model and donating over one million meals to children in India, is truly commendable. Additionally, Bearbottom’s dedication to ethical practices and sustainability sets a great example in the fashion industry. Robert’s ability to balance entrepreneurship with a strong sense of social responsibility is truly impressive.
The vendor code of ethics is an interesting concept and one that is very fitting for this business’s mission. Robert’s greatful heart to the people of Bangladesh allowed him to find ways not only to give back to that country but also to the other communities his business touched. What was also interesting is that he was motivated by wanting to help the people of Bangladesh, but he found another need for the type of clothing he wanted to make once he returned home. combining ideas is exactly what the adjacent possible is about.