Today our founder, Ian Bentley, gets on a plane to return to Ethiopia. During his time there, he will be visiting the sites of our factories, reconnecting with the local community, and expanding the opportunities to make a wider impact.

Why, you may ask, do we consistently make it a point to return to Ethiopia, when we very well could work from a distance?

Of course there are practical elements to maintaining connection. We want to see that the realities of the ground match the vision we have for supporting and helping these women and the greater community. There are hurdles of international business that are best overcome in person, rather than through a computer screen.

But our dedication to return again and again goes beyond that. We are convicted that the heart of making a substantial impact goes beyond the everyday tasks of running a business. Behind everything we do is the far-reaching influence it has on the lives of very real people, their community, and Ethiopia. We live in an age when our interactions with those around the world, whether through our purchases or conversations, have the power to strengthen bonds that form international communities.

We at Parker Clay believe that it’s not only what we do with our time that matters but who we spend it with and for.

-Cole