RUNNING BRANDS With IMPACT + a cool Watch

HAVE YOU HEARD OF ANY OF THE COMPANIES featured in the article, “6 Small Running Brands Making Big Impacts”, written by Emily Polacheck in Competitor.com? Check them out in the article (listed below) if you wish to stay current in the running business.  A good reason to be one of the first in your circle to know of such brands is that they can make cool presents for running friends and family, who might be tough to gift.
 
Sometimes these brands were created to be more affordable than what is bought from the well-established athletic mega-brands, and that’s a big PLUS!  I know from experience in my own family that it’s hard to impress teen and twenty-to-thirty-something nieces, nephews, and offspring of best friends with a small gift other than cash or cards. A low-priced purchase from a fledgling business, especially one that “gives back” in some charitable way (think TOMS, Warby Parker) can be fun to give and receive, because you are helping the start-up become known as well.
 
Below are the companies on the Competitor.com list:
Oiselle (Seattle, WA - USA)
Ciele (Montreal, Quebec - Canada)
Picky Bars (2010 in Bend OR – USA)
Tracksmith (2014 in Wellesley MA – USA)
Carson Footwear (2015 in Milwaukie OR – USA)
Janji (2012, Boston MA – USA)
 
I would like to ADD A BUSINESS that isn’t specifically for runners, but it attracted me because of the sporty lightweight nature of it’s products: JORD WOODEN WATCHES, founded in 2013 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. The article I Googled to find a watch for a graduation gift, "Millenials Are Re-Defining Luxury: Best Watches To Express Yourself", showed an image of ESPN anchor Jorge Andres wearing the watch on TV, identified him as a runner, and commented that the watch was lightweight. That sold me!  I gave one as that gift, but I want one too.
 
The article quotes: “ ‘Jord – Swedish for “earth, soil, or nature” embodies our position as a natural time piece and accessories brand. No, we’re not Swedish but we strive to maintain a culture and product with global appeal. We are taking inspiration (and materials) from nature to forge fashion-forward accessories.’ ”
 
The Jord website provides data and specifications on the different woods used in the manufacture as well as sustainability. It’s an eco-friendly as well as a fashion-forward company. “We are focused on creating timepieces that are modeled after a modern lifestyle. We value sustainability, efficiency, and experiential living. We make our watches for people who don't just have somewhere to be, they have somewhere to go.” That sounds like runners and walkers!

RUN HAPPY!

http://running.competitor.com/2016/05/features/6-small-running-brands-making-big-impacts_149628
 
http://americanfashiontv.com/10923/best-watches-jord/

https://www.woodwatches.com/shop