I think it is time to share all of my planned secrets. Some of you may know, some of you may not… for the past two years I have been working on a business plan that would help make a difference to someone, somewhere in the world. My name is Jenna Davis, I have just recently graduated from Sport Management at Brock University and I have huge dreams to develop a ‘buy one, give one’ organization which will help give back to people in need of support.
In February of 2012, I had the amazing opportunity to visit Peru with a few classmates of mine. After feeling the excitement of ‘giving back’ and being able to see a smile on all these people’s faces gave me the positive inspiration I needed to kick start my business planning one step further.
In March of 2012, I spent a few weeks visiting family and friends in Jamaica. It was a nice break from the chaotic work schedule but more importantly it allowed me to open my eyes and realize that I have so many people who love me and who will always be here to support me no matter what. The biggest thing holding me back from starting my business was the fear of failing. Being able to understand that my friends and family will be here whenever I need them, helps give me the confidence to move forward with this plan.
In August of 2012, I spent over a month backpacking from Johannesburg to Cape Town, South Africa. I knew the experience would be similar to that of my memories in Peru but I didn’t know that the longer I stayed in a location, the harder it would be to leave. I met some incredible people, both locals and backpackers. I had the opportunity to visit a few of the schools in the Chinsta district and fell in love.
What I quickly realized was that there are so many people in this world who I would love to help; I just couldn’t choose just one. Many nights throughout my trips I would find myself crying over seeing other people live in conditions unbearable. My tears wouldn’t solve anything, everyone knows that. I knew I have the drive, the background and the passion to do something huge… I just didn’t know what.
In October of 2012, my nephew (at the time – 3 months) was living in Iqaluit, Nunavut. A place where the temperature can hit up to negative 48 on any given day was NOT the place I wanted to go. Thanks to my nephew Brody and my big sister Melissa, I had the experience of a lifetime being able to live up in the arctic for a couple months.
Soon after my wild traveling adventures I moved onward with a huge travel bug to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Germany, Switzerland, France and Netherlands.
Each step of the way I was able to learn something that would help make my business plan a huge success. After a full year of traveling to over 15 different countries, I am now sitting at home in my warm cozy bed, thankful for everything I have and everything I have been able to accomplish.
Somewhere along my travels the final idea kicked in. I was going to create a ‘buy one, give one’ organization where I could sell travel apparel and accessories, and in turn purchase feather down parkas at wholesale cost and provide our own Canadian communities with the warmth and comfort they need.
Many of you may be asking the question now, ‘She spent over a year in over a dozen underdeveloped countries and she chooses Canada to give the profits back to?!’ I get it, it seems crazy. But… It’s not.
Right now, I want you to answer this question: Have you ever given back to charity (whether it is World Vision, Sleeping Children, etc.) in a country outside of North America? How about Africa? South America? South East Asia?
Most of you answering this question could probably respond with ‘YES‘.
Now answer this question: Have you ever supported a charity or organization that supports giving back to our local communities within Canada? Did you help reduce poverty? Did you help provide them a warm bed? Food? Clothes?
This is not to point fingers, simply to get you thinking.
I can tell you what my answer would be. Yes, I have supported MANY charities and organizations outside of North America. Most of the foundations I choose to support are the ones promoted in our local grocery stores or via online promotions. No, I have not supported many charities in Canada besides the odd organization who is giving used books to people in my city that can’t afford new ones.
What I didn’t know after traveling all over the world was that there is poverty that exists in Canada and it is a very hard issue to solve, especially when our winter conditions can be deathly. I am not saying other countries don’t have poverty, but I do believe that those living in poverty in Canada have a very difficult time facing our weather conditions when homeless.
A lot of our poverty exists in the Northern communities in Canada and a lot of this is because our prosperity circulates from the West to the East coasts. This might be because it is cheaper to fly from Vancouver to P.E.I than it is to fly from Ottawa to Iqaluit. This may also be because most of the businesses are in Southern Canada. Regardless of the reason, there is very limited knowledge on Northern Canada.
Northern Canada is what all tourists outside of Canada picture us to live like. They picture us in igloos, riding dog sleds and living off the land. Many of us embrace this lifestyle through apparel like ROOTS or Eddie Bauer. Many of us do not embrace this lifestyle in reality.
I believe it is extremely important for us to understand Canada before we begin to understand the rest of the world. I once knew more about every other country in the world than I did my own.
Canada is beautiful. We have incredible people, a gorgeous landscape and ample opportunity to enjoy living. GO EXPLORE OUR LAND.
Granted Apparel has been designed to help support local Canadians living in poverty.
Granted Apparel has been designed to help promote tourism to the North.
Granted Apparel has been designed to educate the public on Canada as a WHOLE.
Granted Apparel has been designed to create comfortable and high quality apparel and accessories.
So… for the past 2 years I have been working vigorously on travel apparel and accessories which would catch the eye of consumers and educate.
After backpacking, traveling, camping, hiking, working, etc. I wanted to create a line that I needed. I packed and re-packed my backpack countless times thus leaving my clothes wrinkled, dirty and hard to pack. I wanted my apparel to be lightweight (significant of a wishfairy), easy to roll, small, wrinkle-free and used for multi-purpose. I wanted my accessories to be high quality and durable. I needed them to be strong enough to last through airplane, train, bus, and car rides across the globe. After all of my travels I am the most satisfied with my leather products. The most useful products: leather passport holder, leather travel diary, leather luggage tag, leather wallet/iPhone case, etc.
Once the orders have arrived and we start selling product, a third of all profits will be to fund the purchase of feather down parkas.
Each winter it is our intentions to fly north and give back to communities in need. What we want to really push here is that Granted Apparel is NOT charity; it is a support brace to be used in order to kick start other people to make a difference. We will bring all of the Granted Apparel branded parkas up north but in return we will ask for a favor. Each and every individual receiving a Granted Apparel parka will be responsible for giving back to their community whether it be large or small scale. Additionally, those who wish to participate can take part in OUR COMMUNITY campaign which will be video footage or written in a blog format. Each participant will be asked to share their stories – why they still live there, what their favorite thing about their land is and why they would like support from us. It is our hope to inspire other travelers to visit and to inspire people interested in social justice to make a difference where needed. For example, I know in some areas of Nunavut they are in high demand for qualified teachers. Perhaps you don’t know that because there isn’t much promotion. Now you will know.
The launch of our first product is estimated to be at the end of October. This will include badges and bracelets. Our apparel launch is set for January, 2014.