World Minded: Company with a mission and a conscious

"World Minded is a charitable, Eco-friendly apparel company for men, women and children with an objective to raise awareness of our individual impact on each other and the environment. Our passion for adventure and our love for the outdoors is the foundation of World Minded. By sharing stories of our featured humanitarians and ambassadors, our purpose is to do more positive things for the world and to help those who already are."                                           WorldMinded.com

                                               

Charles Perry, Founder/Owner

It will only take 5 minutes with Charles Perry for most people to recognize his esteemed quality of character, kindness, and consideration.  He easily captivates those he encounters with his willingness to listen intently and share sincerely.  His passion for life and his personal mission for the community through his company World Minded, pales only to his clear passion and dedication for his family.  As one becomes acquainted with Charles and learns about World Minded, you are easily engaged in his positive energy and motivated by his drive.

Initially, World Minded was a hobby born out of challenging life experiences for Charles.  Now, you can find World Minded gear in stores throughout the country, and on the backs of World Minded Ambassadors all over the world.  As an eco-friendly, charitable clothing line, World Minded seeks to educate and inspire through their positive messages and community involvement with environmental and humanitarian organizations, as well as in collaboration with outdoor enthusiasts and community advocates.  

As an upstart company, World Minded has been committed to sustainable practices and donations of sales from the beginning.  All of their clothing and gear are made with organic cotton or recycled materials.  They source from local manufacturers, which supports the local economy and leaves a small carbon footprint through their production.  10 percent of sales from their humanitarian clothing line are donated to designated environmental and/or humanitarian organizations, such as the Greg Mortenson's Central Asia Institute, Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots Network, Protect Our Winters, and Common River.  1 percent of ALL sales are donated as well.  The designs for their clothing line are inspired by the organizations that the funds are being donated to, and local artists are employed to create those designs.

What inspires me most about World Minded, besides the incredible people that are the foundation of the business, including Karla Kelley, Charles's wife and Director of Operations, is that it represents a corporation that started with a model that operates in harmony with our community’s interest.  In today’s business climate, this is a very unique stance.  Unfortunately, most corporations are rooted in an advanced capitalist philosophy of profit for the sake of profit, with little to no moral or ethical responsibility for the community it operates within, beyond the parameters the law dictates.  Conversely, World Minded is unabashed in its moral and ethical standards, and has consistently stood by their stance that if they cannot uphold these standards in their business practices, then they will not be in business.

Karla Kelley, Director of Operations

Wearing World Minded clothing is so much more than choosing a comfortable shirt with an awesome design.  It is about making a conscious choice and making a statement about who and what we support with our spending.  Our consumption has far-reaching effects that we are all too often unaware of in our busy lives.  When I wear World Minded gear, I support a model of business that I truly believe is at the heart of social, environmental, and economic sustainability.  I also create opportunities to discuss this new world order of business with others when they ask me “Where did you get that sweet hat?”

Justin Huebscher in Mammoth Lakes with WM trucker hat

Check out WorldMinded.com, tell your friends about it!  In the San Diego area you can find World Minded gear at Adventure 16 in Solana Beach and Oceanside.

• Read about World Minded Ambassadors by following this link.
• Follow the World Minded blog.  
• For awesome tidbits of information and links follow World Minded on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

If you know of other ethical companies that are rooted in sustainable practices and community activism, we invite you to share with us on our blog or  you can email anne@annemillikencommunity.com.