A Bahamian-owned small business needs your vote to be awarded a grant to produce “Made in The Bahamas” merchandise to be distributed locally and internationally.
Small apparel manufacturing and printing company, Clean Clothing, located in Miami, FL is owned and operated by Freeport, Bahamas native, Justin Ritchie. The company has been entered into a small business funding programme called “Mission: Small Business” organized by Chase Bank and LivingSocial.
Clean Clothing has an opportunity to be awarded a $250,000 grant. But they need your help.
The “Mission: Small Business” programme was launched in May and was designed to give small businesses the capital they need to positively impact their growth, as well as their surrounding communities.
Mr Ritchie and his wife Kristin offer handmade, silk screened products to the Miami area. They also offer international shipping to their Bahamian fans and supporters.
“This grant would take Clean Clothing to the next level,” says Ritchie, “We would be able to expand our offerings to more stores and vendors [in the Bahamas], as well as begin producing goods in the Bahamas.”
The company is looking to begin a “Made in The Bahamas” campaign, designing products solely around the culture and beauty of the country.
Kristin Ritchie is an American with strong ties to The Bahamas and is eager to begin the campaign.
Kristin was the spokesperson for dozens of videos promoting art, culture and events in The Bahamas, which were featured in a video series titled “Out & About” that ran on BahamasB2B.com and Youtube.
“I love The Bahamas,” she says, “I have family there and I met my husband there, it’s a very special place and I can’t wait to begin this campaign.”
The two are tight-lipped about the logistics and details of the campaign, but ensure that it will be big and bold. The goal is to not only manufacture products in the Bahamas, but also to give back to the surrounding communities by offering jobs to skilled workers in the area and wholesale the products to local vendors and shops.
The “Mission: Small Business” grant program will award twelve small businesses with a total of over $3 million of capital. The catch: in order to be considered, each small business needs to receive 250 votes by the deadline of June 30th.
To vote, using your Facebook info, simply log onto “Mission: Small Business” and then search for Clean Clothing in Miami, FL.
