The company was started in 2009 by Chris Young, a man with extensive years of experience in the apparel industry. Fed up with corporate irresponsibility and the weight of our economy dropping to its knees with the 2008 recession, Young decided to take a step in a different direction with an emerging business model: to help ourselves, we have to help each other. We must reach down, reach up, reach anywhere—reach the world by contributing through our specialized industries, trying to do things resourcefully.
In early 2009, after witnessing the downfall of Wall Street in the US, I was having a dinner discussion with my friend, Larry Crabb. We conversed on how to create a new generation of businesses that fits both the needs of a corporation, as well as helping those in need.
What we contemplated over that dinner was the start of a passion and determination to create smartthreads 1=1, a hybrid brand where the foundation of our business is 1=1: for every $1 the company makes, 50% goes towards a charity in the form of a monetary donation which helps clothe people in need, or an investment into socially conscious projects.
This business model does not focus on maximizing profits. I believe it is a model for future businesses to follow. After all, what's good for the soul, what's good for people—is also good for business.
I would like to thank everyone along the way who inspired me to create this passion and movement of 1=1. We are still a small fish in a sea of good things to come.
Thank you for considering our products, spreading our message and, most importantly, thank you for helping us to make a difference.
~Chris