Entrepreneur Student Wraps Business Around Helping Needy
Kate Hames (WC ’22) combines her passions to make a difference.
Editor’s Note: This feature was written by Mark Gonzales and published on November 29, 2023, on the Grand Canyon University website. Photos are by Ralph Freso.
Kate Hames watched her father operate a successful dry cleaning business in Columbus, Ohio, that catered to high-end clothing. She also recognized the premium prices customers paid to ensure their attire remained pristine.
She vowed she would keep her prices affordable if she ever ventured into the clothing business.
She put that declaration to the test once she switched majors at Grand Canyon University and started her own clothing line, Anomaly Co., inspired by Matthew 5:14-16 (“You are the light of the world”). The clothing line is designed to push inspiration over profit.
That includes choosing secondhand garments as the base for her clothing with price in mind while donating around 15% of her profits to charity.
Hames’ sweaters were a big hit at the first IDEA Club Marketplace in October, and she reluctantly followed a request from her more experienced club leaders, such as president Connor Vicary, to raise prices.
“I’ve been in the garment world my whole life, basically, but I’ve always gotten complaints about prices, so I try to avoid that conflict,” Hames said.
“Because I knew my target market, and I fulfilled their wants and needs and created a new category for myself, which is handmade garments with secondhand material that is very illustrated and unique … people saw the value in my items. Therefore, I could justify charging more, so then I can stay in business.”