Meet Trailblazer Jenn Cleary

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenn Cleary.

Jenn, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The idea for my brand was born two years ago after a sleepless night of contemplating—like so many—on what the heck I was doing with my life. The places I had gone, the jobs I’d worked, and things I’d experienced were ones I never planned for, yet turned out to be irreplaceable adventures I couldn’t imagine not having. I credit a lot to travel and going with the flow, and it got me thinking of how much we tend to focus on planning, and less on embracing opportunity when it presents itself. I wanted to change anxious thoughts of “what do I do next” to “let’s see what happens today,” and bring faith and adventure back into our paths.

So the very next day, God put a thought in my head. Put a photo on a hat.

Though I don’t consider myself a professional, photography has always been a passion, and I always wondered at making it more than just a hobby. But screenprinting on clothing? That had never crossed my mind before, and I shook my head for a few days at it. But God persisted, and the nudge grew into a push, and suddenly the idea snowballed into many ideas. Create quality products that people can wear, bring with them, and remind themselves to adventure more, experience more, and stress less? The dream was born.

But I had little experience in design, business, accounting, computer coding, fashion, or things like photoshop and InDesign. When I started thinking about all of the things that a business requires, I thought there was no way I could do it all. But the beauty of people is that we all have different talents, and we have friends with many talents. So I leaned heavily on friends with skills beyond mine in these departments, and slowly I had a business plan, a website, a logo, and a photo on a hat. Six months from my initial idea, I launched The Wandering 1, still half-convinced this was a silly idea but determined to practice what the brand preached and have faith in its journey. Eighteen months later, I have over a dozen products featuring my photography and travel-inspired designs, and more ideas are growing by the day.

Additionally—through the support of its followers and adventurers—The Wandering 1 has raised over $2,000 for Limbs for Life, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing amputees new prosthetics and care.

Has it been a smooth road?
I mentioned that I had pretty much zero experience in anything I was doing. In fact, I probably should’ve named my brand “The Winging It 1.” But the biggest lesson I learned from building this was to break apart every component and look only at one part. It’s been said before, but if you can’t learn to focus well on just one thing, the whole structure will be shaky, and you’ll be overwhelmed and exhausted. Too many times, I tried to do it all, and all at once, and it never works. Step away for a little, look at the big picture, then zoom in on one thing and work hard at it until it’s done right. I spent over a month on my website alone to get it the way I wanted, and repeatedly I pushed back my launch date. I’ve even canceled new product orders or postponed them for the future, ignoring the voice in my head saying “You have to do it now!!” I realized that if I’m rushing, or overwhelming myself, I’m not having fun. And if I’m not having fun, I’m definitely not doing it right. Again, faith in the journey! If it’s meant to happen, it absolutely will, no matter the speed you go.

We’d love to hear more about The Wandering 1.
Most of my products are travel-themed—made to be worn on-the-go up a mountain, or relaxing by a campfire. I strive for adventurous inspiration in my products while also creating something people actually love to wear and take on their adventures. I completely design all of my products from the materials, colors, shapes, and styles. Even to the number of eyelets on the top of the hat and curve of the brim, to the blend of thread in the clothing. As a dreamer and creator, I spend many hours finding the perfect resources to create exactly what I’m picturing in my head. I usually spend many more weeks after that perfecting prototypes and samples, ensuring the quality is up to par, and that the look and feel matches the spirit of my brand. I now have photos on clothing, luggage tags, tapestries, and more, and have begun incorporating travel-inspired designs and products, such as sunglasses and travel thermoses.

The Wandering 1 is meant to be more about the energy and less about the material; more about the journey and less about the destination. I want people to wear my brand and be reminded to have faith in where they are in life and remember that the best adventure stories aren’t necessarily the easiest or smoothest ones. Which is why

 I’m most excited that The Wandering 1 supports amputees with each purchase. From its start, I chose to donate to Limbs for Life to help those who have lost limbs to war, health issues, and tragic accidents. The goal is to help restore faith in overcoming challenges while helping others get back to exploring the world. I am also incredibly inspired by their spirit and determination, and the amazing feats they conquer along the way.

You can find The Wandering 1 at craft shows throughout the year in Colorado. Though based out of Glenwood Springs, I hope to be at shows in the Denver area this summer. I love meeting fellow adventurers in person, and my favorite part about the brand is getting to share travel stories and bounce ideas off of every person who stops by. My eventual goal is to create a platform on my website not just for selling my products, but a place where people can share their stories and inspire like-minded wanderers.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
Mother Mary has been the number one inspiration for faith in this journey, as her own story took such incredible faith to follow a path many would be overwhelmed by. Not knowing the next turn in the road, or even where she would give birth, she trusted that she would be taken care of. Her story inspired part of my logo as being the North Star (along with a compass and Peter Pan’s directions to Neverland) and the guide needed for courage in our unknown paths.

Speaking of mothers, my own has been everything in my life and in this brand, pushing me every time I’ve wanted to give up, and encouraging me every step of the way. She’s always had a creative talent and eye for new concepts and fashion, so is usually the first person I go to for advice when stuck on an idea. Her honest opinions turn good products into great ones and encourages me to dream bigger every day. Thank you for helping me in so many of my shows, for the late-night pep-talks, for organizing my life when overwhelmed, and being my best friend and rock throughout life!

Secondly, there are a few friends who have stood by me since the beginning of my brand, and who have inspired me to create its concept. Alex Bellin was maybe the first to hear about my “put a photo on a hat” idea, and definitely the first to make me stick with it. Being a designer at heart, she’s been a constant source of inspiration and the latest fashion trends. I still remember how I felt the day she looked me in the eye and asked: “What’s stopping you from doing this?” How I stopped laughing at the silly idea and thought, maybe I actually could do this. I credit her for getting the ball rolling, and being the push when I needed it!

Amanda Eldreth has also been a fashionista inspiration who not only models my products and makes them look awesome but has continuously offered ideas in the marketing, writing, and concept departments of the brand. If I ever questioned anything about anything, she was the one to untangle the mess in my head and remind me of why I started in the first place. She has also been an incredible adventure buddy, tackling bucket list items like scuba diving with me, and fueling the fire for more adventure!

Janet Anderson, my model photographer and photography-inspiration, has reminded me almost daily of why I love travel so much. Since the day I met her, she’s had wings on her back and limitless dreams. If there’s a place we haven’t been to before, we’re going, and we’re making the most of it. Her positivity has been the cure for any bad days or doubts, and her outlook on life is the fuel I’ve needed to press on.

Lastly, I want to mention the girl who inspired me to donate to Limbs for Life. Back when I was a whitewater raft guide on the Colorado River, I had the pleasure of meeting Riley Osbourne, who was 12-years-old at the time and missing her left arm from the elbow down. Her family was on vacation from California and was excited to try a new adventure in rafting through Glenwood Canyon. I went through the typical paddle talk and was impressed at Riley’s attitude to tackling the challenge of paddling through class III rapids. As water enveloped us, it looked to be no challenge to her, and she laughed all the way through the waves. I swear to this day she was one of the best paddlers I’ve ever had, even better than people with two arms. She taught me that day that no challenge is too big to overcome, and what others may see as less or as hardships are actually opportunities to grow and have even more.

I have so many more friends and people who have been absolute inspirations to me and why I started. I am beyond blessed to have so many, and so little room to write about them all!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TheWandering1.com
• Email: jcleary@thewandering1.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewandering1_/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/tw1brand

Image Credit:
Jennifer Cleary

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