Jessie: In college I studied Cultural Anthropology with an emphasis on development work. When 31 Bits was founded, I pictured myself living in Uganda helping run our development programs. Alli and I spent four months there after graduation, and I really wanted to stay. Right around that time, 31 Bits started taking off stateside. We both knew we needed to be here to share our story and find any way we could to sell 31 Bits. We started our wholesale program, got our first office, launched a new website and our collaboration with Reef sandals. 31 Bits wasn’t just a job or a hobby, it was our lives!

Alli: I studied Interpersonal Communications in college and ironically never took a PR or Marketing class. It wasn’t until the end of my senior year where I realized 31 Bits could actually be a career. Once we started pushing 31 Bits, I was quickly thrown into the marketing role, since “I was always on Facebook.” The past seven years have definitely been trial and error! I’ve learned SO much from other people in similar roles and learning as I go. That’s what makes my role so fun. Every day is new, challenging, and exciting. It’s fun to get creative with different marketing campaigns and PR opportunities. I’m definitely still learning! I think we realized 31 Bits could be a business opportunity when we landed a collaboration with Reef sandals. Seeing sandals with 31 Bits beads on them all across America was exciting and motivating!

Jessie and Alli:  We didn’t know anything up until this trip. We had never even been to Africa! We learned about the history of Uganda, what the ladies we employ have been through, and their day-to-day life. We made meals with them, walked to the market with them, laughed with them, rolled beads with them…it really made everything hit home for us. These ladies weren’t just beneficiaries, they were like family! We also spent time learning from other organizations working in Uganda, seeing the way they operated and functioned internally. Starting a business fresh out of college is one thing, starting a business in Uganda is a whole different story!

Jessie and Alli: Where do we even begin?! There were so many challenges. When it came to starting a company oversees, we were clueless. From shipping regulations, to business operations and cultural differences, we learned a lot and made a lot of mistakes. We’re proud that we've been able to run 31 Bits completely from product sales- we’ve never fundraised. We started 31 Bits before Pinterest and Instagram (are we old!?), so most of marketing was done through word of mouth and Facebook.

Our big secret? We showed up and said yes to every opportunity. We networked, threw events, set up tables at outdoor festivals and street fairs, and asked women to throw 31 Bits parties in their home. A lot of momentum came from our collaboration with Reef Sandals. They connected us with sales reps, who began sharing our brand as well. They taught us so much about the sales industry! As social media took off, our online store grew organically and we began expanding our marketing vision with great photography, graphic design, and themed campaigns. Little by little, we grew into who we are today!

Jessie and Alli: We LOVE this question and we get it a lot. We honestly have a blast working together. Starting a business overseas together, traveling, even living together…it’s not a typical friendship! We have a sister relationship. We just get each other. We can say it like it is and it’s ok.

We’ve found that honesty is ALWAYS the best policy. We’ve grown into our roles, and learned how to support each other along the way. We’re each other’s biggest cheerleaders. And because our work in Uganda is always our biggest priority, we don’t have time or energy for arguments! We each have our specific roles, but we are always stepping in and helping each other as needed.

Jessie and Alli: Yes, it’s quite the process! First the paper is cut into long, triangular strips. They roll all the beads and varnish them with a nontoxic, water-based varnish. The final step is stringing the beads and assembling the jewelry. It still blows our minds how incredible the designs are that they make- all out of paper!

Jessie: Our model is to empower people by selling their products in the fashion industry, but that’s only the beginning. We believe true empowerment begins with caring for a person holistically and occurs when a person is completely self sustainable. Our model is based on a five-year program built to empower each beneficiary and her/his family while exposing them to the love of Christ. We use a holistic approach, providing programs focused on finances, counseling, health, spirituality, career training, and mentorship. After five years in our program, a beneficiary is ready to graduate. She/he is educated, healthy, confident, and has the ability to manage a business with a sustainable income.

Alli: The 31 Bits model is centered around empowerment. We don’t want the 31 Bits beneficiaries to be rolling beads for the rest of their lives, we want them pursuing their dreams of running successful businesses. After five years in our program, our beneficiaries are ready (and excited) to graduate. A graduated beneficiary has her own business and is educated, healthy, confident, and empowered.

Jessie: Watching women use their own talents and skills to rise above poverty is incredible and it gives people a community, many for the first time. Because of disease or war, many of the women we work with were abandoned by their families and villages, left in total poverty with no opportunity. Being part of 31 Bits gives them a place to belong. Many of the women are now neighbors. On a recent visit to Uganda, one of our artisans, Abio Vicki, told us: “Had it not been for 31 Bits, I’m not sure if I’d be alive right now. I used to think about committing suicide because I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere. Now I have a family and I belong. I’m so happy.”

Alli: It is exciting and rewarding to see our ladies’ lives being impacted by 31 Bits. Besides seeing their quality of life change, it’s incredible to witness their countenance change. We’ve had women join our program that wouldn’t smile or look us in the eye. A few months in, they’re some of the most joyful and rambunctious ladies at 31 Bits! It’s been amazing to see women gain confidence, friendships, and hope. 31 Bits is really one big family.

Jessie and Alli: We purchase the jewelry directly from the designers at fair-trade prices. To maintain transparency with our designers, we negotiate a fair price for each piece, factoring the complexity, materials, and time involved in the making. We purchase a set amount of jewelry from each designer each month so they know exactly how much they will be earning. Their monthly wage is comparable to that of a schoolteacher in Northern Uganda. It enables them to provide housing, food, health care for themselves and their families, and a chance to save for future business endeavors. Profits generated through jewelry sales are invested back into the company for operations, purchasing more jewelry, and developing programs for the designers such as English lessons, finance training, and vocational training. Everything we do is funded through product sales!

Jessie: Having a positive influence as a fashion brand begins with how your products are made. Donating a percentage of sales is great, but it’s important to know that the products you are selling are ethically sourced and made. Brands should factor in the materials they are using, how employees are being paid, and if they are providing safe and healthy working conditions. Consumers are getting smarter about the products they are spending money on. 31 Bits has proven you can be transparent with how your products are made without losing quality and design.

Alli: By being transparent. There’s been a shift in consumerism, where people now more than ever care about the products they buy. They want to know where it came from, who made it, what’s in it, etc. We have always stayed true to the greater purpose of our company. That’s why we have such loyal 31 Bits fans! They can go onto our website and learn about the woman who made their necklace.

Jessie: Don’t start a business for the sake of starting a business. You have to be excited about what you are selling. There are so many challenges in starting a business, and when you have a bad day, you have to be able to remember why you started it in the first place! Do something you are passionate about!

Secondly, you have to be a learner. Be willing to refine your product and sales strategies over and over again. Strive to always do things better than the last time!

Alli: Two things: 1. Go for it! We didn’t feel qualified or ready for what we were stepping into with 31 Bits, but we took the leap! If you have a specific passion, don’t wait. There’ll never be a “perfect opportunity” to start a business! 2. Don’t give up. It’s so easy to get discouraged, especially at the beginning. Fight for your dreams.

Jessie: My dad always said “Keep the main thing, the main thing.” It sounds cheesy, but this saying has really come to life in the last few years. Business can be challenging, but when we remember the impact of what we are doing, it becomes fun again! We’ve learned to never let challenges or disagreements get in the way of what we are doing. Lives are changing through this company and when our focus stays on our mission, we are motivated, creative, and joyful. Thanks to a team that has stayed tight through thick and thin, we wouldn’t do anything differently! :)

Alli: Anything is possible. Cliche, but it’s true! We’ve seen lives change, including our own. All from a dream that started in college! While we made a lot of mistakes, I wouldn’t do anything differently. It’s shaped us into the businesswomen we are today. :) We hope to keep expanding our programs and empowering women. Whether that’s in Uganda, or another part of the world, we’ll see! We have a lot of exciting plans up our sleeves.

Jessie: I love watching our story come to life. As Brand Director, I work with the most creative group of individuals who use their talents to give every campaign a fresh new spin. I’m constantly working with my team to dream up new ideas to tell our story and show off a new collection.

Alli: Making new connections, and finding new platforms to share the 31 Bits story!