Model Sara Wilson is wearing a sweater from Vast Wilderness Co. (submitted photo/Vast Wilderness Co.)

By Nicole Reis

CLOTHING WITH A CONSCIENCE

Local entrepreneur launches clothing line with environmental focus

Jul 20, 2020 | 5:25 PM

A local entrepreneur is looking to give back to her community with her latest clothing line.

Vast Wilderness Co. is a clothing line created by Dorintosh resident Shaena Thompson. With the sale of each garment, Thompson donates $1 to Healing Haven Wildlife Rescue, also out of Dorintosh.

Thompson, 22, told meadowlakeNOW she was inspired by her employer Martodam’s, The Clothing People and TenTree, a clothing brand which plants trees for every garment sold. While some days may be better than others, she said starting a successful brand is all about mindset.

“If you have an idea, and you’ve done all the research, you just have to do it,” she said. “I almost didn’t tell anyone what I was doing because it would get shut down. But if you believe in it, you may have good and bad days, but it’s all about mindset.”

Thompson said while launching her brand, she learned from her employer about how to successfully run a retail operation.

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“Martodam’s have always stocked suppliers with meaning [and] companies that give back,” the Vast Wilderness Co. website says. “I wanted to be more than just a clothing company. I wanted to give back to what I love just like so many other wonderful companies have done.”

Jessica Martodam, manager of Martodam’s, said supporting local brands helps support local families. She says she is flattered by Thompson’s ability to take what was learned on the job and apply her acquired retail skills toward her own venture.

“It’s think it’s great she’s taken that model of giving back,” Martodam said. “I find more young people who are starting businesses, are thinking about the products they’re carrying and giving back to the environment while thinking about the world we’re living in.”

In the midst of promoting Vast Wilderness Co., Thompson reached out to Lorne Cardinal who plays Davis Quinton on the television series Corner Gas. He agreed to wear her clothing and give her a shout-out on social media.

(submitted photo/ Vast Wilderness Co.)

Rose Dallyn, board member of Healing Haven Wildlife Rescue, said the rescue has received funding from Thompson’s brand and added it was very much appreciated as the organization operates solely on donations.

Sabrina Bourassa, 23, said she has purchased almost every piece of the Vast Wilderness product line. Bourassa said she has been friends with Thomson since middle school and wanted to support a local brand.

“It’s something local people can be proud of,” she said. “Especially because it’s going toward wildlife preservation around Meadow Lake which is pretty awesome.”

She says the quality of Thompson’s garments are made of soft, high quality material and says her closet is stacked with Vast Wilderness Co. apparel. She says she orders online and also purchases her clothing from Meadow Mouse Marketplace.

“Shaena not only helps out with wildlife preservation, she also plants seedlings in the fall and plants trees with friends or volunteers, which I think is really cool,” Bourassa said.

Vast Wilderness Co. is newly available at Snipe and Celly Pro Shop at Pineridge Ford Place Arena in Flying Dust First Nation. For more information about Vast Wilderness Co. visit here.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722