It was nearly two years ago that I first came across this inspiring company. It was just a few months ago that I got the chance to be employed by the same company. The world seems to be closing in on itself with all the hate and terror we are facing, but it is companies like The Shine Project and people like Ashley LeMieux that give me hope that maybe the world isn’t so bad after all.
Ashley started The Shine Project four years ago with 300 dollars and a hope to mentor and financially help underprivileged students. What started as a dream developed into a non-profit and then grew into a jewelry company. Today, The Shine Project has given away over 40 scholarships to students and currently employs 13 students at the Phoenix location and 3 students at the Nashville location. Excitingly, our first six students graduated in May! And starting this summer, Ashley has decided to broaden the spectrum of The Shine Project to allow it to reach every corner of the United States (not just online) by employing 25 College Reps. I am grateful that I was chosen to be one of those College Reps, and I now get to share a company that has changed lives and will change much more with my friends, family, and strangers from my hometown.
The inner-city students that work at The Shine Project in Phoenix and Nashville are given jobs in order to be mentored and guided. These students are the heart of the company in the sense that they are involved in running every single part of the business. From customer service to designing to hand-making the jewelry and selling and shipping the jewelry, these students do it all. These students’ strength to pursue their dreams of being first-generation college students astounds me. It would be so easy to give up, but they are triumphant and put their entire being into their work (with help and cheerleading from Ashley and her team). The College Reps work to secure events in their state such as festivals, craft fairs, markets, and pop-ups around the town or even at home. We work to expand the reach of The Shine Project by representing them and telling their story to people who are clueless as to who they are. We are also gaining invaluable business and leadership skills.
To me, this is a company that should be known worldwide. Before The Shine Project employed me, I was a customer. I wholeheartedly believed in their mission from the beginning, and I feel so blessed to be able to help share their story. The more demand for their product, the more students they are able to help pursue higher education by opening more Shine Centers throughout the US to employ inner-city youth and College Reps like me.
If you would like to learn more about The Shine Project or shop their products feel free to follow this link! Help us break the cycle, and let your light shine.
