Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneurs are Jason and Andrew Miller, who are positively changing the lives of at-risk youth in Toronto through the One More Wear Foundation. We caught up with the duo to find out what inspired their career and how other young professionals can apply what they’ve learned to their own craft…
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WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
We provide quality professional clothing to underprivileged youth and facilitate programming on body image to help youth meet their personal and professional goals.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
Andrew: Coming from a journalism background, I wanted to do more and give back to the community of which I am a part of. My brother is a social worker so he inspired me to get involved and use our career paths for change in Toronto.
Jason: Being exposed to the injustices and inequalities within society and knowing that I could actually change it.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
Recently, the One More Wear Foundation held its third annual Back to School Supply Drive and Car Show at Ellesmere Community Centre. It was by far our most successful event yet. We collected school supplies for at-risk youth at The Second Base Youth Shelter in Scarborough, raised awareness about our organization, and connected with various media outlets.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
5: We hope to have our location secured in the heart of the city and have ties to various other professional organizations.
10: We aim to be the hub for change and the voice of youth in Toronto.
20: We want to have three different locations across the city that employ, house and educate at-risk youth in the community.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Andrew: Don’t stop – ever. Keep going, stay consistent, and don’t keep negative people around you.
Jason: Watch less, focus and do more. Less ‘liking’ and ‘double tapping’, more action. Believe that all your passion, acquired knowledge and experiences will guide you.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
Andrew: The Red Door Shelter has been a huge support of The One More Wear Foundation. We work together with them as a resource for the overall benefit of the community.
Jason: Michael Pinball Clemons Foundation (MPCF), They have and awesome mission and they took the time to mentor me when I was a young Ryerson visionary.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
The negative scrutiny of clothing donation charities in the media. We’ve overcome this by showing exactly where the donations are going and by encouraging our supporters to not only give us clothing, but to play a role and volunteer first-hand with our movement. We maintain a clothing donation room directly within the Second Base Shelter, so our supporters know where their contributions are going.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
Andrew: To stand out from the rest; to showcase your talents on a greater scale than the norm. To be BOLD and worth mention.
Jason: Take recognition and bookmark.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
Andrew: You can often find me in the food court at First Markham Place eating at Magical Fusion Cuisine. They know my name and show me love, so I support them.
Jason: Union on Ossington. Great atmosphere and vibe, even better dessert.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Andrew: Sadly, it’s WorldstarHiphop.com. I can’t get enough of the randomness of the internet. Currently, the most played song on my phone is “We Be In Da City” by Young Dro.
Jason: eBay! Marvin Sapp’s “Best In Me.”
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
Andrew: City of Toronto Councillor Norm Kelly is the man! His tweets are hilarious, gangster and informative. Norm Kelly is for the children like Wu-Tang and Trix cereal.
Jason: @Drpatfrancis. Get some daily inspiration in your life.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
Andrew: I loved Taiwan. I loved visiting historic temples and eating random deep-fried meat in the various night markets.
Jason: Jamaica. The non-tourist version. It allows me to remain grounded and refocus as I see where and how my family members there live. Next up is Japan.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Andrew: I hate missing Raptors games and then seeing people at the game on social media having a good time. It really makes me mad… I guess that makes me a hater.
Jason: A Donk (1971-1976 Impala/Caprice) race. I am really into classic cars, specifically Impalas and Caprices. When people race these cars at various car shows in America, I have to see it in person or watch it online and read the comments.
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Andrew: Designer footwear and Reality TV.
Jason: Super Nibs and various gummy candy.
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
Andrew: Less money on my 1978 El Camino SS.
More money on suits. I need to add a few more suits to my closet… I’ve gotten away with blazers for too long.
Jason: Less money: shipping and import fees to Canada on all my car parts and clothes. More money: Home renovations. All these renovation shows are messing with my mind. I’m starting to think about Holmes on Homes with a glimpses of Martha Stewart.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Andrew: Having the top down in a classic car on a sunny day going shopping on Bloor Street while people are at work. The freedom to be able to do what you want at any given time and take a few loved ones with you for the ride.
Jason: When you truly know and feel you are fulfilling God’s plan and purpose for yourself on earth to the best of your ability. All that followed by dropping the top on a classic car, turning the music up, and letting the sunshine in.
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