Jennifer Miller can only get through her day if she is inspired by something other than her own agenda. She’s encouraged by “people who have stepped outside of their comfort zones” and by folks who find love in the simpler aspects of life. She knows that there is power in nature—that some serious changes need to be made regarding our relationship to it and the animals that share this world with us. And Jennifer definitely knows great clothes.
Sharing some of the very real, but “rather dark” issues of the world, in a creative and kind way, is what catalyzed the opening of Mission Savvy, Jennifer’s Charleston, WV-based boutique. She accepts that the truths of animal cruelty can be draining for most people, leaving them saddened by the graphic images and stories of suffering, so she created another way for people to get involved and make a difference. Mission Savvy is dedicated to donating five percent of all sales to five animal rescue and wildlife conservation efforts, categorized into the themes Dream, Compassion, Freedom, Instinct, and Voice. You can read about each need and choose what cause you would like to support with each purchase you make.
Jennifer believes that “being sustainable is growing with what the community offers you,” and so far so great. She plans to “keep the momentum going,” and in the next year, you will see Mission Savvy increase its impact efforts. Jennifer ultimately wants people to feel empowered to get out there and help, and to feel confident that what they are doing is helping. “There’s nothing less motivating than to feel like your voice is so insignificant that you might as well not do anything at all,” she expresses. “And there’s nothing less productive than campaigning without compassion for the opposing view. Screaming and name calling gets you no where. In the long term, I’d like Mission Savvy to be a reliable source for information and a path towards change.”
The fan base for Mission Savvy grows more and more each day. The only complaint that she hears is that the clothes are expensive. And her response is, “I know…that’s just the true cost of not exploiting the environment or people. There are ways to cut back on daily spending to accommodate for products (including organic foods and LED light bulbs) that are safer for this world.” Similar to the type of food you buy, every purchase is your vote for the kind of world you want. Prices won’t come down and industries won’t change unless the market—the people—demand it, right?
The clothing from Mission Savvy brings out “a self expression” in Jennifer’s customers, allowing them to be playful with their confidence and image. She loves sharing well-designed alternatives to animal products (wool, leather, silk) by designers like Indigenous Designs, Popomomo, EcoSkin, and Feral Childe.
Be sure to visit Mission Savvy, either in person, or online, for exciting eco-fashion. Try on a blouse made from materials like Cupro (a regenerated cellulose fiber from wood pulp, that feels like silk), Hemp Jersey, Corn Jersey, or Bamboo—which is a great fabric for athletic wear, like yoga pants.
The very real animal welfare issues are harsh, and it takes innovators like Jennifer to help all of us address the issues and make a difference in refreshing ways—like consumer-powered activism. Mission Savvy is not only a well-curated boutique filled with responsible apparel, or an exciting career built upon a platform that makes change happen. Mission Savvy is a promise.
Visit Mission Savvy. Choose to make a difference.
Jennifer is one of the inspiring folks in town, willing to put it all on the line to make a difference not only in the world at large but here in our home. Cool towns drawn in and retain cool folks because they feel at home. Mission Savvy is one of these places that will help retain good people in Charleston. Stop by & shop!