An Exciting New Adventure!

You guys, I don’t even know where to start right now because my mind is just buzzing with excitement–I have SO much to share today. OK, so if you’ve been around for a while, you might remember the post I wrote two years ago about the trip I took to Uganda back in 2009. I poured my heart out in that post and chatted about how that experience changed my life forever. After returning home, I was so passionate about helping girls and women in developing countries. I starting working with nonprofit organizations and I actually did that for several years. Well during that time I randomly discovered a really cool start-up called Sseko. It was unique because Sseko wasn’t a nonprofit, but instead it was a small business that focused on employing women in Uganda to make the cutest little ribbon sandals you’ve ever seen. But even better, Sseko employs women that are just out of secondary school and headed onto university. They only work with Sseko for a short time before they’re headed off to chase their dreams and become leaders of Uganda. I immediately fell in love with the entire idea and I was OBSESSED.

When I say I was obsessed with Sseko I’m not exaggerating you guys. I fell in love with the mission AND the founder, Liz Bohannon. She was the most charming little firecracker and I just loved how passionate she was about empowering women in Uganda. I even begged her to meet me for coffee one day while she was traveling through Denver about 10 years ago. I’ll never forget how kind she was and I loved chatting with her about creative ways to empower women.

Since that coffee date with Liz ten years ago, I have continued to follow Sseko and admire their work. I’ve watched Sseko evolve from selling sandals into a full blown women’s lifestyle brand with the most gorgeous handbags, apparel and accessories. And the best part is that Sseko is creating jobs for some of the smartest women in Uganda. To date, Sseko has enabled 131 women in Uganda to continue on to University and become leaders in their community. And now they are expanding into Ethiopia! 

I am so in love with this idea that fashion could be a powerful (and sustainable!) force for good, which is why I’m tickled pink to share that I am JOINING SSEKO AS A FELLOW. Eeeeeek!!! Basically this just means that I get share the Sseko story with all of you lovely ladies and talk about their amazing products that are changing lives. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to share this piece of my heart. And who knows, maybe some day I will make my way BACK to Uganda.

To celebrate this new adventure, I wanted to share a few of my favorites things from Sseko. First is this foldover cross body bag, which can be used as a clutch, a crossbody, a purse…even a belt bag!! It’s super versatile. And I seriously wish you could feel it. It’s made out of the softest sheepskin leather you could ever imagine.

Next is this gorgeous bucket bag! It’s huge and roomy enough for carrying around allllll the things. And the leather has an amazing, rustic, that’s-definitely-real-leather look and feel. It also has several large pockets inside and I absolutely LOVE it. This is the kind of bag you have forever. See it here.

Sseko also carries a lot of wonderful jewelry. I love this brass half moon necklace. It’s such a gorgeous piece and surprisingly lightweight!

And of course, I have to share the Sseko sandals. I LOVE the ribbon sandals that started it all (the ribbons are interchangeable!) but these chic crossover sandals are another favorite. SO. DARN. CUTE. They also come in black too.

I am so excited to start this journey of blending my love for beautiful things with making a positive impact for women and girls across the world. And I have to say, this is one of the craziest full circle moments of my life. To now be a small part of the Sseko story, after first discovering them TEN years ago, is just incredible. God was definitely working on that one for a while. I can’t wait to take you all along on this new adventure–I’ll definitely be sharing more soon!!

SHOP SSEKO:

JEWELRY // FOOTWEAR // BAGS // ACCESSORIES // CLOTHING

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today. I’ll see you lovely folks back here soon! xo

PS: If becoming a Fellow seems like something you’d be interested in, please go read more about it here. The program really is incredible and it’s a great opporutnity to create an impact in the world.