Empowering Women By Giving Them Wings to Fly: A Conversation with Hailey Johnston

In our latest podcast episode, Hailey Johnston, Founder and CEO of Project Free 2 Fly, discusses the nonprofit she founded over a decade ago to empower women who have come out of crisis situations.  She shares her background story and describes how the project equips women with sewing skills, mentorship and life enrichment to gain resources they need to find jobs and take control of their futures.  

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Transcript

Intro 00:03

Welcome to SolPods Studio. We're not your average social network. We're a community of professionals, enthusiasts, and students taking sustainability to the next level. Join us on our journey and get inspired by Earth Heroes just like you. 

Cassie  00:19

Welcome back to another episode of SolPods Studio. I'm Cassie Freyeisen based in the Nashville area, and I'm joined here today with Hailey Johnston, CEO and Founder of the nonprofit, Project Free 2 Fly. Based in Cleveland, Tennessee. It's about 30 minutes outside of Chattanooga. This nonprofit was created over a decade ago to serve women in the community who are seeking a better life after crisis recovery. Haley it's a pleasure to have you here today and share your journey with us. 

Hailey  00:43

Thank you so much for having me.

Cassie  00:47

Thank you.  So, Hailey, tell us a bit about your story and really what led you to start Project Free 2 Fly.

Hailey  00:52

Yes. So for as long as I can remember, I have just always loved working in my community and working with local missions, even globally going overseas and doing mission trips.  Really, since a young age. And so with that, I am also a creative and so a big part of my heart is just to be able to, like, see my community, know my community, and then also like, serve within within our community. But then also, I have a passion for sewing and creating, and even going back to having a small handmade business when my girls were small. So really, pairing.  Free 2 Fly is really a, you know, a way that I can put those two things together.  I can use sewing and creativity to serve our community here in Cleveland. And so what started as just my life experiences of, you know, being involved in our community, and then having a small handmade business and marrying those two ideas together to create this nonprofit that I've been doing for about 10 years now.

Cassie 02:02

That’s incredible.  I love that.  Taking what you can do with your hands and where your passion is in your heart. I love that.  Yeah, super cool. So from my understanding sewing is really one of the key crafts you really use to empower these women in your program. Can you explain some of the other professional and personal skills that you teach them and how do you kind of get them going and get them running?

Hailey 02:25

Right. So the sewing aspect is how we give them a job. So, we teach them to sew, so that they can have an income that supports you know, them in their families. But then in addition to that, we have a whole program side that is helping them build really foundational things that are going to help them when they leave our program. We don't want them to be here long term.  We say we're a stepping stone, we're a bridge between their past and a successful future. And so some of those things are very foundational.  We start with, do you even have, you know, all your forms of identification? Do you have a driver's license? Do you have your social security card? When you think about someone who the women that we work with a lot of times are rebuilding their lives, and so they're coming from past crisis circumstances? So we start with really foundational things. You know, do you have health care? Do you have a checking account? So all of those things have to be accomplished before, you know. When they graduate our program, all those things are, are, are checked off in line to build sustainability. So in addition to that, we also do budget classes. We do enrichment classes every week. And so those vary from financial basics to budgeting to emotional intelligence, to health and wellness. So we do a wide range of not just the, you know, goals that they're setting in establishing for their themselves individually, but then also things that are empowering them and helping them. So where they go from us they'll have long term success. And so a job plus the program side is really helping them build the foundations they need. So when they graduate our program, they do achieve success, sustainability and you know, create this this new life for themselves.

Cassie 04:22

That's so cool. And I can imagine that when you're teaching them some of these skills, you're bringing in some other community leaders to help run those workshops and sessions. So that's probably a great way for them to collaborate as well with those businesses and with those players in the community. 

Hailey 04:40

Yeah, absolutely. We partner with we have, you know, people from that work at banks that can do budgeting. We do we work with UT Extension here in our community. They offer a wide range of opportunities and classes. And so we're all about partnering with those in our community. Our very first enrichment class, which I loved to think about many, many years ago was a local personal trainer. And so she came in and did like a health and wellness class with our women. And that was really the first one that we ever did, and like she's in our community and since then she has built her business and she's very successful. And so I just love having those ties to the community in ways that other people can use their skills and talents to serve our women in a unique way. And so we're all about, you know, the community thinking like, Okay, I don't, I may not sew or you know, can volunteer in this way. But what are other ways that I can use my skills and talents and knowledge in a way that's going to empower these women and enrich their lives. 

Cassie 05:44

I love that. It's really going kind of the whole, the full circle as well. So it's not just you know, giving them that job and not job opportunity. It's really like empowering them to think about where do they want to go in the future and what direction but having those skills and then those connections to drive that forward.  So I love that that's really, really cool model. And I can imagine that in your 10 years of running this project you've come to meet some truly remarkable women that shown really such bravery and courage to you know turn the lives around but then to also equip themselves with how do they you know, how can they move forward so could you maybe share and shed some light on some of those transformation stories and what you've seen in your 10 years?

Hailey 06:27

Yeah, so we serve women we say from all walks of life. We serve a big demographic of women that are coming from rehab. So most of our big, majority of our women are coming from some kind of addiction background. But then we also have women that maybe never have had addictions that have, you know, have experienced a cycle of poverty or homelessness, and just want a better future for themselves than you know, what they've always known or what the current circumstance. And then those that have even left domestic violence situations. So not all our women have an addiction past, but a big demographic do. And so whether they're, you know, overcoming that which is such an incredible transformation to watch, when you watch someone come out of addiction, and come out of a rehab facility, and desire to get their lives back on track, it is really like a view of what's next for my life, what's the next step. And so to come alongside of them, and just really help them continue dreaming about their future. We've had women that one woman in particular, so she's going to come back as our 10 year guest,speaker this year, we'll celebrate 10 years and she came from was in prison, went to rehab as a part of her probation, and came to us. And really, through our mentorship program, she started talking with her mentor about like, what's next for your life and really setting goals. And she, you know, said I would like to go back to college. She was in college when she fell into addiction. And so went to college. And while in college said, I think I would love to maybe go to law school and be able to help women that were incarcerated or, or find themselves in a hopeless situation like I did. And so after her graduation, of course, we went to her college graduation, she excelled. She was an honor student. Just did amazing. She got into law school, and this past May, she actually graduated from law school. And so her story is just such an incredible story of transformation and hope. And that's really what she wants to do is just to use her story to speak, you know, that will speak to be open to, you know, circumstances where women may think that their choices and you know, obviously the consequences of their, their choices, they you know, don't have to define their future and they can turn things around. And so for her, hers is just such an incredible story. But we also have women that have come from extreme poverty, and just being able to get a sustainable life and achieve getting their high school equivalency, you know, to get that degree was a major goal. And so for them getting that that high school, you know, diploma, accreditation is huge for them. And, you know, that's that's their big goal and living a sustainable life and find a career that they can find fulfillment. And so not all of our women, you know, have the same track. That's why it's a very individualized program for each woman. But the goal is for them to find purpose and fulfillment. So yes, we have had women, multiple women, she's not the only one who have gone to college and gotten degrees. But we have so many women that are just in the workforce in our community just thriving and doing so well in the career field that they have been able to go into after our program.

Cassie 09:57

That's so cool. And do some of the women that leave your program do then they come and help become like a mentor for the current program, you know attendees or participants or, as you'd say, employees? 

Hailey 10:07

Yeah, yeah. So, we do we have women that come back and volunteer. They come and work in the workspace. They come back and just speak encouragement. And to the women, it's really neat too when we have events, like a, like a fundraising celebration event like we're doing in the spring, last year, we did the same, we had two of our women that had been out of our program for a while and had been working in our community for a couple of years. And then also a woman who had just graduated our program. So it was neat to see, to hear stories of people that are still successful. And then those that were currently out of our program, but for the women to also sit, you know, they're there at these dinners as well. And they're listening to the stories of women that have gone before them. And it really just renews you know, the hope and just excitement for them, you know that when you can see someone else who has gone a similar path, you know, that you're on but they're ahead of you a little bit, and they've achieved and been successful. But at one time, they found themselves exactly where you were. That just just so much to motivate the women. So we use any and every opportunity for women to come back, whether they're volunteering, like one of our women on her day off, she loves to come and just help you know, cut in the workspace, just to be anything that we you know, need help with. So we definitely, that's really a beautiful thing to see.

Cassie 11:34

I love that. It’s so beautiful. And I saw that you offer a women’s craft collective.  What is this? Tell us a little bit more. Do the women in the program lead that collective?  How does that work?

Hailey 11:45

Yeah, so we started this last year. We have a big desire, people want to learn how to sew. I mean, it is a skill. Like I learned when I was 19. So, I was older, I saw a skill that I've always known I learned. I didn't learn until I was about 19. And so we'd love teaching the skill, but a lot of times, you know, women are, we're busy. And you know, it's hard to do like four weeks of lessons the same time the same night. And so that's what we found was that there was an interest, but just like the consistency of lessons was hard to do. And so we started the women's craft collective last year, and so we're just doing like, single nights. So for one night for three to four hours, you can come and we provide dinner, a little snack, and then a craft. And so you're still learning. We're teaching you the basics of sewing, but you're also walking away with a product that you've made. And the women do, women that are a little further along in our program that can come and help we do that's kind of a perk, you know, different phases of our program, you can help and you know, come back and do work extra things that we offer. And so we do have women that will work those events with our creative director, Joanna, she's kind of the one that comes up with the craft collectives and the ideas. And so teaching women how to craft using sewing but then also like upcycle. We we've done jeans where you could take a pair of jeans and add some fabric on the bottom or even like a jean jacket, adding some patches. And so we're trying to you know, we we love fashion obviously we use it as a way to serve women in our community but we also want to like connect with other women in our community that you know just want to create something and it is so empowering when you do stuff with your hands like all of us can benefit from that. And so it's been, last year, we do we try to do it once a month, but it just depends on the season, what else we have going on. And they've been really well attended as well.

Cassie 13:49

I love that.  So, okay so we'll remember that to do a virtual one with you for SolPods because that would be super cool. The jeans one sounded really fun. I saw the pair of jeans that you made too. That was really awesome. I love that and it's just a fun way to get women from all different walks of life into the store and you know work together to make this new project and then they can hopefully learn those take those skills and do that at home as well and you know another form or fashion so that's really cool. And I love the creative upcycle element and idea and I saw that you also offer alteration services and that's being led by the women as well and can anyone off the street come in and get something repaired? So you're really you know, implementing this you know, sustainable service, let's say, at Project Free 2 Fly.

Hailey 14:34 

Yeah, so we started that last year, because we just got a lot of people asking. So two days a week, we do have a staff member that kind of helps oversee it. That's kind of besides working with the women, she oversees all the alterations measuring and making sure. So like two days a week, we have limited hours where you can come in where we know she's here. So you can come in, she'll meet with you and then take all your measurements and everything and then have the women help do the alterations as well. And so, we didn't really realize what a need, what we knew it was out there. But then when we started advertising, you know, people have a lot of alteration needs and so that's been really, you know, just another way for us to for the community to support us. I mean, if they, you know, it's benefiting them but then they're also able to you they know that they're benefiting our organization by using us for something as simple as alteration. So yeah, we've we've you know tried to expand without spreading ourselves too thin you know, kind of keeping our our products forefront, obviously, but coming up with creative ways that we can, you know, increase revenue to support the women is always on our mind.

Cassie 14:45

Absolutely. Tell us about some of your favorite products. What do you have right now? What's kind of standing out to you?

Hailey 15:50

Yeah, so I, I just like everybody kind of get their seasons of carrying like a big bag, or you know, a small. I love, we've really come out with, because we use genuine leather for our products. And so this past year, we talked about, you know, sustainable, just all things we're trying to use, cut back on waste. And so we've created a lot of small products. From, you know, smaller pieces of leather. Obviously, our bags take a lot of leather, but then trying to come up with small,. and so really cool, like air pod cases that's really neat made out of the genuine leather, and some little, just wallets. I'm either, like, use a big wallet or just need, like, something really small with a few credit cards. And so I alternate. So right now I'm just just a few credit cards, like on my keychain, ready to go out. And I love that our products, we offer something for everyone. And so yes, our bags, obviously are very well made leather, genuine leather bags that are beautiful. We designed everything ourselves. And so our creative director, Joanna Ivey, is the one that comes up with our designs. And so you don't see any of our products anywhere else, especially our bags and, and wallets. So they're very unique to our organization. And so, I love you know that I can have like a weekender bag that I travel, if I'm flying, I can carry that all the way to like my everyday crossbody that I can throw on and shop with. And so I feel like, and as a woman, you know, we love our options and our accessories. And so I just it's really hard for me to choose a favorite because and the cool thing too is that we're always changing out fabrics. So like every season, we have different fabric options. So I want everything all the time. I want to change out you know, just the different. But that's just part of being female, I think we like changing things out. And so I would say what is kind of unique to our area, we do have a cross body, no belt back. I'm sorry, it's a belt back. That's the proper word. And it's called the Cle-Vegas because it's kind of Cleveland. It's kind of the town people joke like Cle-Vegas is kind of a funny name to call Cleveland, Tennessee. And so it's called the Cle-Vegas belt bag. And that one is probably one of my favorite because last year we went to Disneyworld, threw that thing on but then I love it for every day because like I can throw it in a bigger bag. So basically, the Cle-Vegas belt bag is definitely been one of our our most popular products this past year as well. So I guess if I had to choose a favorite, that's probably my favorite right now still.

Cassie 18:29

That's awesome and what you said with you know making sure that you're thinking about waste reduction and you know sustainable practices. One thing I saw with a small business, they would take like the material from last season and let's say you'd have small bits of that and they would use that as another, you know accessory or project for the coming up season. It'd be kind of, you know, a zero waste product but maybe something very small. So like you said maybe the iPod little, you know, little carrying case for example. Do you ever kind of think about those little one-off projects that you can utilize maybe some materials that were from last season? Or, you know from the scraps of even your project that you're currently working on?

Hailey 19:14

Yeah, we definitely have fabric. One thing, I love our bookmarks. So we have these little square bookmarks that have like a back end of it to square and then the front is like slit, so that you can slide it over the book or the page. And those are very popular, we just restocked. We literally cannot keep those in stock. But that's an example because it just takes a little bit of fabric. And so we will make all those up into you know, the bookmarks are popular. We do have little fabric pouches. And it's so funny too because a lot of times when we do that people will come in because you know we advertise our products are customizable. And we'll have people come in and they'll see a fabric from last season and they'll want to order it in the bag. And so you know, like it's a little like no, sorry, you can order that but you can buy in a bit more of so yeah, we definitely use you know, it's kind of like anything that makes our product unique. If you love a fabric you need to get it because it may be gone and so but we definitely have a lot of smaller products that eliminate waste for sure. And that makes it interesting too. Because we're always, you know, able to offer new things by doing that too.

Cassie 20:24

Right. And it seems like you really take a small batch approach you're not going to produce you know, vast amount of products you're going to really kind of keep it fresh and you know, per season. So I think having that small batch approach also probably helps you know, from not only an operational efficiency perspective but from a waste management perspective. So I think that's something really cool that you guys have developed so I like that. So tell me a little bit more about the annual Bird and Barn event. I know that's a really important annual event that you host. Can you tell us about how you came up with that and really what how does that play into the importance of the project's mission?

Hailey 21:03

Yeah, so year one of launching our nonprofit, we're like, we have to raise money to be able to operate. And so at the time, Gosh, 11, this will be the 11th year we've done it. So that first year there, there was just really not anything like this. Some friends and I, we traveled to Montgomery, Alabama, to this little chapel. And it was a similar, you know, market handmade vintage is very unique. And we're like, Oh, my goodness, this is the greatest thing we've ever been to. We need to do this one in our area. And so we really that year of launching it, it was just such a unique event. And we worked hard to curate the vendor. So it was like you didn't feel like you were just going to like your usual craft market kind of fair situation. So we made it very unique. And that year, it just real, it was so well attended, it took off, it was so funny, because we really spent the next few years kind of reeling it back in for people to know it was our organization's fundraising event, not just a standalone event. And so we laugh, because it was just a really cool thing for us to see just how successful it was. But then also we can like we want people to understand that it's not just a fun event, but it's supporting our organization. And so we celebrated the 10th one last year. And what we do is we curate very unique artisans from our area. So they have to fit in a category of handmade local, you know, just very unique products, which can get a little, it can get a little tricky, a little hard, because you know, you want, I don't know, you just you know, there are those people out there. But you obviously don't want duplicate. You know, even if we have two to three different jewelry, you're not, it's not going to be the same time. So we do have other artisans. In our area, local goods like food, we have a local farm that comes and sells their meat. And so just it's a really like supporting local, it's not just supporting our organization, which it is our main fundraising event, we do really well through it. But we also have always said it's a cool thing for us to be able to spotlight other local vendors. And vendors do well like every year, they always tell us that the community really it's a it's a well attended and well supported event for them as well as a small business. And so it's in our local Black Box Farm. So it's a wedding venue. And that's what also I think sets it apart. Is that the venue is amazing inside this barn, the middle of this working nursery. So gorgeous, just plants all around you and this courtyard that's lit. We always have a coffee truck and food and live music. And so it's just really, just a really that it's really, it's a lot of work. We have a whole committee that helps plan this every year. But it truly is my favorite two days because it's a Friday night and a Saturday. It's truly like two of my favorite days of the whole year because of just the ambiance of the place. And then just how the community comes out and has supported our organization for 11 years now. It's just really an amazing thing to see.

Cassie 24:14

That's so awesome. I love that. Can anyone come or is it really like local you know mostly it's gonna be your local community members? But could other people join as well?

Hailey 24:24

Yeah, we actually.  Anybody can come. We've had. And our vendors ended up being from kind of like a tri-area, like we've had people from Knoxville, Nashville, Atlanta. So we've had vendors kind of come in surrounding areas. And so you get crowds of people that come from all over. And the really cool thing.  It was, we were a few years into our organization and we had someone one of our supporters actually fly in from Texas to come to the event. And so yeah, so we it's, that's a really cool thing. Someone that had followed, she was meeting a girlfriend that lived within driving distance, so they kind of made it a weekend of it. And so like we've had people come in, so that's really neat. Anybody can come. You can buy tickets, pre purchase, but then also like tickets, anybody can walk up and buy a ticket at the door, at the event. So yeah, it's it's a really fun time.

Cassie 25:13

And remind me, when will the next one be? So, if anyone one's interested in checking it out. Is it in the fall?

Hailey 25:19

Yeah, this year is September. It’s this second or third. It’s September 20 and 21st this year. So it's a little bit earlier. We used to in October. And then last year, we had moved it to September and just the response, people really loved it being in September. So we've kept it in September this year. Before that, you know, where it all gets too crazy. So the 20th and 21st of September this year.

Cassie 25:45

Perfect time. Perfect weather for, in Tennessee here as well. Awesome. So how can the community, how can others you know outside of Tennessee, how can we help support Project Free 2 Fly? And what can we do to, just be you know, more aware of what your mission is?

Hailey 26:02

Yeah, so we sell all our products online, so you can shop our website. We love when we get orders from, you know, all over the country. That's a really humbling thing, I think to for our staff to see. You know, we’re processing orders and people not just in our local community, are shopping our products. But we've hit several years ago, we hit this really cool milestone. We've shipped to every state in the US, and even some other countries. And so I think that's really empowering for the women to, that they know that our local community believes in them and believes you know what they're trying to achieve. But when they hear people from all over are, you know, wanting to purchase the products that they make, that's just a really cool thing for them. And so obviously, purchasing our products is the easy way. And we have price points where we feel like anybody could you know, support, there's something for everybody. And so purchasing our products, encourage, you know, attending Bird and Bard, come to our events, come into our storefront if you're in town, and then also just sharing about our organization, the power of like social media, and just online what the potential is out there. And just word of mouth to. Just share in our story and what our organization is doing. It's just, you know, another way for our reach to grow. And so and for people to hear about us and what we're doing in our community. And so I think there's multiple ways that people can, you know, find a way to support us through one of those avenues for sure.

Cassie 27:34

And if there was, you know, a young woman who wanted to start a project like yours, maybe she was in Colorado or you know, Montana, let's say, what would you recommend to her? How should she think about you know, kind of structuring an organization similar to what you're doing? And maybe it's not accessories, but maybe it's you know, something else that's creative. What would really be your advice to this young girl who's really looking to help change the lives of other women? Or you know, some other demographic.

Hailey 28:05

Yeah, no, I think using, like, what you're passionate about what your skills are, or, you know, any idea that you may have. And then finding too, for me, early on, I think finding other women that had the same heart as me to help just kind of dream and get ideas and really start this thing. So finding a support, supportive community, identifying, you know, who you're serving, obviously. For me, I was working with an organization called Family Promise that serves families that have found themselves homeless, so it has to be, you know, adults with children that they serve. And I think identifying, like, seeing women that I knew, Okay, this is who this would be for, I really identified the need in my community, how I could help meet that need. And then like, actually see, putting a face, just to the idea was empowering for me, and really helped, you know, spark, fuel the flame, you know, just the spark, I was having to do this, like when I started seeing, Oh, my God, this is an actual need. So I think surrounding yourself, obviously, kind of getting a sketch of what you want to do. Obviously, this idea of sewing when I met, you know, and kind of came up with my business plan of like, what I wanted to do and what the resources, then I realized, like, Okay, what I want to do on top of just given these women have a job, this cannot sustain itself if it was just a for profit. So it needs to be a nonprofit. So, you know, deciding, like, is the business model sustainable to what you're wanting to achieve. I didn't just want to give a job to women, I wanted to give them resources. And so early on, I was like, Okay, this needs to be a nonprofit. So started seeking, you know, counsel, what that looks like. And you know, there's, there's so many resources in your community, no matter where you are, I mean, everybody has a small business or should have a small business association through the community college or just in your town. So there are resources, I think, and that was such a huge just early on thing for me was to have the guidance and wisdom of other people that knew what they were doing to kind of help steer me and then just to also have people that could you know align their hearts with mine so that we could get this thing going and get it off the ground. And a lot of it is because I do get asked a lot we do get asked by people and I think a lot of it too is like just doing it and figuring it out as you go also. Like I know that seems kind of like a simple answer but it's so true like just doing it going for it and trusting and knowing that you're going to learn it's a learning process so I think like you can kind of have a blueprint and a map of like what this looks like but I think for the individual doing something like what we've done here at Free 2 Fly a lot of it is like learning as you go.

Cassie 31:04

Absolutely. And same thing for SolPods.  We are still learning every single day. So, we appreciate you. And I am sure if you looked back 15 years ago, you probably would not have imagined even where you’re at today. I think your young self would be, well, you’re still very young, but she would be smiling at you. Very proud of you. So, Hailey, just as, kind of, one last question, and really as a wrap up.  We like to ask all our guests, if they have one sustainability superpower, what would it be and why.

Hailey 31:38

So, I think that um.  It’s funny, because like, I love to go and do and be at all times.  And so if I could like rest without resting, without sleeping. I mean I love sleep. I love a good nap. But I also, like some days, I just like don’t want to go to sleep. I just, like, want to keep going.  I want to keep working. I hundred percent believe in rest. I’m not saying that we should be workaholics and work all the time. Not saying that.  But I think for me, like if I could just do, and I think it’s just, just do more and be. Um, and just be well rested at the same time.  

Cassie 32:24

So, Energizer Bunny that is charged with solar power.  Ok, I got it. It makes perfect sense.

Hailey 32:33

Yes. I just need to walk out in the sun, and I’ve got what I need.

Cassie 32:38

I love it. That’s perfect. I feel like you are already doing a lot. It looks like you’re a busy mom. You’re a busy, you know, executive director. You’re doing a lot in your community. So you’re already doing a lot.  So, definitely have to give yourself the grace too. I think you’re doing great.

Hailey 32:56

You’re right. You’re right.  And I do speak to we do need to rest and take our moments. So I am an advocate for resting one hundred percent.

Cassie 33:03

And you like to run too? Right?

Hailey 33:06

I do like to run. Yeah, I am big on exercising and stress. You know, every day, I’m a big runner and love to exercise.  And I think that definitely helps everybody.  It’s important.

Cassie 33:20

You need to find your thing. You know.  If it’s not running. But. I just signed up to Pure Bare. I’ve been going there for 2 or 3 weeks, and I love it. I didn’t even realize it. Until you change your lifestyle and your days, you don’t realize how much of an impact it really makes.  So.

Hailey 33:38

Absolutely.  For sure.

Cassie 33:39

Highly encourage all of those working moms.  Or, you know, anyone out there. Everyone needs that balance. So,I think that’s great. So, thank you, Hailey, so much for being here today. For sharing your story.  And we are so grateful for everything that you have done for Project Free 2 Fly.  And I really love how you are bridging the gap between, really, past circumstances and hope for a successful future for these women. So thank you for that.  And I know you’ve touched the lives of many women. So, kudos to you and your team.  And as International Women’s Day is right around the corner. March 8.  I love to remind everyone how important it is to support small businesses, especially small, women-led businesses, like Hailey’s business.  Get out there. Support them. Shop them. Help just raise awareness for what they are doing.  And I would also love just to encourage everyone to think about inclusion at the workplace.  At your university. Wherever you are. And just keep an open mindset that differences are really to be celebrated. They bring such a unique viewpoint to any organization or to any school. And I think we can all help inspire inclusion in what we are doing and help bring about a more equitable future for everyone. So, if you’re not on SolPods yet, come in and check it out. We’re celebrating equality all the time.  And we actually have a pod designated for this topic.  We love to highlight positive strides that are going on across the globe to help really close the gender gap and just raise awareness of other DEI-related topics.  So, come and join us. And again, Hailey, thank you so much for being here with us today.  And I hope everyone goes to check out all your amazing products and join for one of your upcoming events.

Hailey 35:20

Thank you so much for having me.

Cassie 35:21

Thank you, Hailey.

Outro 35:23

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