Okay I’m disillusioned here in the world of children’s clothing. Actually I’m pretty disillusioned with people in general. If you’re reading the blog you may or may not have seen HOPE’s new campaign called World of Hope. In a nutshell HOPE is setting up a program for retailers where we will send product at no charge, with no obligation. All we ask is that the product goes on a rack so that customers can buy them if they like them. If items sell, then the retailer pays – oh and I almost forgot the most important part – With every item sold, we clothe an orphaned cyclone victim.

We came up with this program because no one in the US is taking risks. And when you are a new company with a different look, supposedly you are a risk. So we did the only thing we could do in order to save a few lives in the jungles of Burma – we’re not requiring retailers to pay for product UNLESS it sells. Yes, I know. It’s rather simple, one of those how could you go wrong type of deals.



Well here’s the disillusionment: About 95% of American retail owners won’t even consider it. At a time where retailers are struggling to pay their bills they won’t take something for free. Are people really that jaded in my homeland? It’s like people are scared to even talk to you. They just want to get you off the phone or tell you you’re spam. (interesting that relief and aid equal spam hmmmm. What is the world coming to?) I’ve concluded that they aren’t even listening. Because really, if you could hang a shirt in your store and that shirt had the possibility of saving a life, why wouldn’t you do it? So like I say, disappointment in my homeland is an understatement!



Here’s my solution: I know it sounds off the wall, but I think it should be mandatory for high school students to study for a year abroad. Or at the very least the USA should support a “gap” year like they do in Europe and Australia. (this is the year in between high school and college when many many Europeans and Aussies travel the world) So why do I think this would hinder the someone wants something from me, I can’t talk to them, fear factor? Because living (at least a month in one spot) in a different country opens your mind. And making positive differences requires a mind that is open. Listening to something different requires an open mind and since 95% of retailers won’t even give me five minutes, well there you have it. 95%. But I’m not going to give up trying, I’m going to tap into that 5%. Positive thinking is the key. However I’m not going to pretend that the statistics aren’t very very frightening.

Cheers & Ciao,

Gina