Driving through the streets of Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach provides a glimpse at the thriving local business community in our area. The Keith Beatty Team wanted to spotlight some of these ventures in a new Business Spotlight series on our blog. First up is Organic.Lifestyle.Apparel. or OLA, a brand dedicated to promoting environmentally friendly lifestyles on all levels.
Our interview with Sam Shelby in the video below delves into the brand which is growing well beyond the audience of Wrightsville Beach. He began the brand in 2009 after a volunteer experience with a local turtle group maintaining and keeping up our local beaches.
After realizing the extensive problems having to do with pollution and general awareness for beaches maintenance, he wanted to do something. In his words, “I want to do my best to raise awareness and keep this place clean whether it takes apparel or activism or volunteerism, all those things all wrapped into one.”
In turn, the OLA brand was born out of a need to spread awareness. Organic Lifestyle Apparel is made in the USA with part of the proceeds benefiting the Surfrider Foundation which educates children about respecting the environment. The local chapter of Surfrider, which OLA often partners with, does beach sweeps and in-school education.
Shelby is excited about future prospects and growth for OLA with several new apparel items becoming available this winter. His continued involvement with the community combined with participation in non-profit initiatives and local silent auctions continues to help grow enthusiasm about OLA’s mission. The recycled fabric apparel is available at several vendors online and in stores internationally.
For further information about OLA visit their website or start up a conversation with Shelby. He has lived here for over half of his life and is not too shy about the amazing lifestyle Wilmington has to offer. “It’s just a beautiful place,” said Shelby, and on that note we have to agree with him!
