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ASU alumna’s boutique honored for community generosity

ASU alumna Julie Kent of Here on the Corner was selected as one of 10 finalists in the 2012 Next Big Give national contest for outstanding community generosity. Kent carries clothing from local designers who support charities in and outside of the community. (Photo by Shawn Raymundo)
ASU alumna Julie Kent of Here on the Corner was selected as one of 10 finalists in the 2012 Next Big Give national contest for outstanding community generosity. Kent carries clothing from local designers who support charities in and outside of the community. (Photo by Shawn Raymundo)

Before purchasing Here on the Corner, a fashion boutique on College Avenue and University Drive, owner and ASU alumna Julie Kent was a stay-at-home mother looking for a way to expand her experience and love of community service.

When she decided to purchase the space in May 2011, Kent incorporated her passion for community service into her business by carrying products by local designers, as well as products by designers who actively support charities and local causes such as Toms Shoes, Mata Traders and Deeds of Love.

Eight months after opening, Kent was selected as a 2012 finalist in the Next Big Give national contest for outstanding community generosity.

The contest announces 10 retail finalists annually for outstanding community service and is sponsored by Dallas Market Center, a wholesale marketplace that helps retailers expand their businesses.

“To support companies that give back to communities — it’s just important,” Kent said.

Finalists of the contest were announced Monday, and prizes include an all-expenses-paid trip to view fashion vendors, as well as free advertisement by the company. Winners of the contest will be selected Feb. 14.

Kent’s volunteer experience includes fundraising for and donating to Maggie’s Place, a homeless shelter for pregnant women, fundraising for local elementary schools and sitting on a committee that selects recipients of the Tillman Military Scholarship. She is even planning to collaborate in a fundraiser with Campus Corner to possibly donate 25 percent of a day’s sales to Broadmor Elementary School in Tempe.

Kent said she tries to always carry fair-trade products and designers and give back to the community in some way.

Carrying fair-trade items ensures that the people who made them were treated humanely and paid fair wages, Kent said.

A customer encouraged her to enter the contest, and Kent said she was surprised to be selected as a finalist.

Here on the Corner employee and public policy service junior Michelle Weil said she wasn’t surprised by Kent’s selection at all.

“It totally makes sense considering how Julie is such an amazing person,” Weil said. “Outside of work she’s constantly supporting and giving.”

Employee and ASU alumna Erica Jones agreed. She said Kent runs her business with the sole intention of making a positive difference.

“Everything that Julie does is with the idea of ‘How will this help my community? How does this outreach to local designers?’” Jones said. “I know that her motives are all very pure and holistic and just wonderful. She really deserves to win.”

Kent said she loves including her staff in fundraising. Both Weil and Jones said they enjoy being involved.

“I like getting the staff involved with fundraisers,” Kent said. “It teaches them, OK, it’s a bad economy — but you can still do something to get involved.”

 

Reach the reporter at kmmandev@asu.edu

 

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