College students are always looking for ways to make some extra money. The latest way in which they are accomplishing this feat is by becoming “campus reps” or “brand ambassadors” for companies, products, and as the name suggests, brands. As reps or ambassadors, students are paid to advertise, sell, and promote a product or service on their campus.
Rising Syracuse University sophomore and sister of Delta Gamma, Danya Li, has caught onto this new money making trend. However, Li’s ambassador position means a lot more than just money; she reps Serengetee, an apparel company that sells fabrics from all over the world and returns a percentage of those profits back to the country the fabric came from, benefitting causes across the globe while also building a functional and fashion-forward business.
Li talks more about what Serengeteee is, her experiences working for the company, and how you can get involved with (and wear) Serengetee as well.
Describe the company in three words.
Inspiring, cultural, connecting.
How did Serengetee get started?
In 2012, two amazing college students, Jeff and Ryan, launched Serengetee with hopes “to connect people to the globe through fabric while giving back to the communities that inspire the products.” It all started when they visited markets from 15 different countries while studying abroad during “Semester at Sea.”
The company aims to create a social environment globally by using unique fabrics from local artisans all over the world. Each fabric is partnered with a cause from its indigenous place, inspiring the phrase, “Wear the world, change the world.”
What do you do for Serengetee?
As a campus brand representative, I increase brand awareness and participate in competitions held across the nation for all brand reps. As brand reps, we promote “Wear the World Wednesdays” on all social media platforms to show that we support a specific cause every Wednesday through wearing our Serengetee products.
At the end of my term as a brand rep, my fellow reps and I will all turn in a project that explains what the company means to us. Serengetee will choose the best project, and its creator will get the opportunity to work with the company’s partner causes in Guatemala.
Where did you hear about Serengetee? How and why did you get involved with them?
After listening to other campus reps talk about their experience with the company, I knew right away that I wanted to get involved. I heard that they were taking applications for the summer, and I applied immediately. Now that I’m a rep, I love talking with people about what Serengetee means to me, and hopefully I can inspire others to become involved as well.
Tell us about some of the places/organizations that Serengetee helps.
The company is currently partnered with 32 causes across the globe, but is always looking to expand its reach. A few of the partnerships include All Hands Volunteers, a global organization that is currently helping support victims of the earthquake in Nepal; Whole Planet Foundation in Africa, which is trying to harness people’s talents and available resources to help them create their own businesses; and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society right here in the United States.
Why should people purchase Serengetee products?
Serengetee provides better opportunities for those living in poverty stricken areas, and donates to causes that help so many people. The brand holds true to its mission with the help of dedicated brand reps and a genuine passion to help.
What has been your favorite part of being a campus rep for this company? What has been the greatest challenge for you so far?
I’ve been a brand rep for several companies in the past, but this one certainly exceeds the others. Because Ryan and Jeff are so dedicated to spreading the word, we (brand reps) are given tasks to complete each week and projects to work on each term.
My biggest challenge has been proposing a new merchandise product and finding a unique way for my rep project to stand out. No matter who is chosen to go on the expedition to Guatemala, all brands reps are dedicated to spreading the word about Serengetee.
How can people get involved with Serengetee? (and buy all of their cool stuff!)
Purchasing any of the fabric products from www.serengetee.com will contribute to the partnered organizations. Using my promo code, Dli15, at checkout, will give you 15 percent off of your purchase. Serengetee also hires new reps each season, if you are looking to get involved that way. Once your term as a brand rep is over, you can apply to become a rep leader and help the new reps spread the word and continue promoting the company.
Want to learn more about “Wear the world, change the world?” Contact Danya at dli418@gmail.com.
