BY JOHN KREROWICZ
jkrerowicz@kenoshanews.com

Traveling overseas for fun led Jennifer Moran to her life’s work.

The 27-year-old Kenosha resident and self-proclaimed “nomad” enjoyed trips to Europe and other locales but was shocked at the poverty evident in Thailand and Peru.

She knew then she wanted to start a business that would satisfy her drive and artistic creativity as well as help end that poverty.

Moran, a 2000 graduate of Central High School, eventually hooked up with an Evanston, Ill., non-profit organization, Solidarity Bridge, that provided medical care for and a Fair Trade arrangement with some Bolivian residents.

But the non-profit’s program for Fair Trade — assuring a living wage, safe working conditions and environmentally-friendly business practices — was to be abandoned because its donation income tumbled in the poor economy.

Moran stepped in and transformed the program in January into a for-profit business called Solidarity Clothing. She also recently established GREENOLA, a women’s accessories line.

Both companies use the same Bolivian workers and embrace Fair Trade principles. GREENOLA allows more creative freedom for the workers as well as for Moran, who designs and knits during her visits to the South American country.

“When people think of sustainable clothing, they think of a potato sack,” she said. “But we’re trying to show you can be stylish and responsible.”

She has sold some offerings from GREENOLA and other regional Fair Trade businesses at Kenosha’s Harbor Market.

Moran has two employees in Bolivia handling import and export arrangements and communications with the worker cooperatives.

Being self-employed grew out of entrepreneurial genes, with a grandfather and both parents working for themselves. Her family was so supportive of her idea that they lent her $5,000 to add to her own $5,000 investment in Solidarity Clothing.

“We’ve always had big dreams,” she said. “My parents always said that you can do whatever you want in this world. If you follow your passion and do good, the money will come.”

She said business was slow at first, but she’s earned back that $10,000 and more and has five large orders pending for both companies.

Moran’s predicting she’ll be able to support herself when she graduates from DePaul University in Chicago this fall, majoring in entrepreneurial business.

Attending college and operating two businesses can be a strain. But she’s caught up in the excitement.

“It’s my passion,” she said. “It’s 100 percent what I want to do for my life.”