March 25, 2008
This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
James Jarman has a passion for business and humanitarian service. What he didn't realize is that he would end up combining the two into a new store.
With the help of his family, James opened ONEiTY on May 1. ONEiTY is an experiment of mixing philanthropy with business. The business works one-on-one with clothing manufacturers in developing countries including Peru, India and Madagascar, who produce the quality children's clothing sold in the Holladay store. Once the clothing sells, a portion of the customers' purchase goes to humanitarian projects.
Lisa Jarman, James's sister-in-law who is involved with ONEiTY, says moms, who are altruistic by nature, respond well to the store because they enjoy making a difference simply by purchasing clothing. ONEiTY also helps the clothing manufacturers become more self-sufficient by providing a steady income.
James discovered the business model for ONEiTY while studying abroad to complete his master's degree in International Development. Helping small businesses in developing countries is something he has always been interested in. After seeing the circumstances most of these women live in, James wanted to help, so ONEiTY was created.
Already the store has become known for its quality clothing which runs from newborn through size 10 for both boys and girls. The hand-stitched smock dresses, plaid loungewear and layette sets are some of the most popular items. Lisa tells me it always makes her day when she picks her daughter up from school and sees a child wearing ONEiTY clothing.
Both Lisa and James feel strongly about ONEiTY's mission and hope to see it keep expanding. Their tag line — seed, nurture, harvest — demonstrates ONEiTYs' commitment to the humanitarian portion of the business.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
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