August Comes to a Close
The month in past has been a momentous one to us at Gutsy Nomad; of all events and happenings, our first shipment of finalized product arrived just days ago. Leather-clad bags, stainless and brass parts, canvas covers, Lokta paper journals and pressed wallets with large identification windows. The hard look is deceiving, as looks often are; one gentle touch of the supple Buffalo leather will have you smiling at your newly crafted, limited edition backpack from Nepal.
There is controversy over using leather to make products, of which we grasp the ideals behind both sides. Leather, whether Cow, Buffalo, Camel, Lamb, Llama, Ostrich, or other, is a byproduct of the food industry. As omnivores Humans have the option of eating meat and some decide against it for various reasons. At Gutsy Nomad we understand that animal cruelty can happen in the food industry and we firmly stand against cruelty to animals. We try our best to source from artisans that choose leather workers who practice good morals in their work.
We are all Human and with Humanity comes imperfection. We do our best, we appreciate our customers and we are working to satisfy the needs of our supporters to the best of our ability.
Speaking of supporters we are in the process of building a program aimed at growing the horizons of Americans. While it's true many Americans travel, it's also true that only 40.69% of the citizenship hold a valid passport, which means 59.31% of the citizenship do not hold valid passports*. This fact is inconceivable to people in some countries we've traveled to and it's inconceivable to us. Our program (yet nameless) will help an American experience life abroad for one month, nearly free of charge (we can't do everything for you).
The program will target Americans who are least likely to travel, but very much want to. According to the United States' own Census, as of 2015, 40% of the total population earned less than USD$33,000 per year. As of this writing an airplane ticket from NYC (JFK) to Kathmandu, Nepal (KTM) averages USD$968 round trip (one stop layover, 30 day stay), depending on schedule and availability. Take into account the USD$40 cost of a one month visa, the current USD$135 passport book fee (4-6 week wait time) and USD$691 accomodation (of course this can fluctuate based on time of year and property); so far the total is USD$1,834. Remember, that total doesn't take into account food, travel expenses in Nepal or destinations that charge entry fees; Most people in the United States who earn less than $33,000 per year would think twice before spending that amount on one person, and think twice about the amount of time, for a perceived vacation to Nepal.
So what do we do about the above situation? We be Americans about it, we start formulating an action for change. Gutsy Nomad will use a portion of its profits to fund a program that will bring a low-income American to Nepal. We will host a contest (yet undefined) upon which the winner will receive an expense-paid (passport cost, visa, airplane, accommodation, breakfast) trip to Nepal to meet our artisan and explore a country outside of our own. The winner will have an itinerary to follow for the month-long trip; it will include some sight seeing, visits with our artisan and a tour of the factory where Gutsy Nomad products are made in Nepal, a week of teaching English as a Second Language in a local school and other activities that are sure to open up the winners' mind.
We are confident in our products and are excited to share them with the world; we're also extremely excited to help an American travel outside of the borders for the first time in their life! Your new backpack or wallet gives us the opportunity to help a fellow American, a chance we cannot pass up. Check out our products today and be a part of actual, real-life change.
*Year 2016 information via U.S. State Department and CIA or (131,841,062 valid passport holders÷323,995,528 total population)x100 = 40.69% total percentage of valid U.S. passport holders
