YYC Feature: Warrior Label
Venesa Wheatley celebrates the resiliency of the human spirit with her apparel for warriors
Venesa Wheatley understands that by sharing one’s own story of loss and adversity, we can help others heal. In 2015, Venesa’s second child, Kate, was born still. As she dealt with this tragic loss, she realized she wanted to help others experiencing hardship feel seen, acknowledged and connected. This vision led Wheatley to create Warrior Label. Warrior Label is more than a clothing brand, it’s a community of warriors who support one another, and share their unique journeys. Her clothing is minimalist, beautiful, and the pieces spread simple messages of hope with phrases like ‘& still I rise’. Every article of clothing is ethically manufactured, and 10% of the profits go to charities that support people going through adversity. Through her brand, Venesa ‘celebrates the warrior spirit’ by creating a space of encouragement, comfort and inspiration through story telling. It’s hard to imagine a better person to lead this movement. Venesa is a bright light, and the embodiment of resiliency. She reminds us that we can proudly, and courageously, wear our stories on our sleeve.
Your goal as a company is ‘to acknowledge, honour and celebrate warriors?’ How does your brand define a ‘warrior’? Why this definition?
To me, a warrior is someone who has undergone significant hardship, struggle or trauma; someone who has been put to the test by life events or circumstances; a person who has fought or continues to fight an internal battle. A warrior, in my mind, is someone who demonstrates tenacity, grit, and perseverance in the face of hardship. There are so many warriors out there, from sexual or domestic abuse survivors, to people who struggle with mental illness, to people with or have fought disease, or have been dealt with unfathomable loss, the examples of these incredible warriors are everywhere.
“I have also learned about the incredible power of story. When we share our stories, we have the capacity to help someone else heal”
This company was born out of your own resiliency after you lost your daughter Kate 5 years ago. Your story has helped many people navigate their own difficult journeys, and in turn, you have indicated that hearing your customers stories has helped you. I love that facilitating story sharing is one of the purposes behind this company—what’s something that you learned through the journey of building this warrior community?
I have learned that just about everybody has a story of adversity or struggle, whether we know it or not. I have also learned about the incredible power of story. When we share our stories, we have the capacity to help someone else heal. I have also realized that so many people have taken their adverse experiences and have done incredible things with them. I am amazed at what people have selflessly done to help others and perhaps heal themselves at the same time.
Warrior Label is committed to giving 10% of your profits to charities that help people who are going through adversity. You change charities twice a year, which is really cool! Could you tell me about a few of the charities you’re supporting this year?
As I started Warrior Label less than a year ago, I've only had the privilege to support two charities thus far. Our first was Kids Cancer Care, which was started by a woman by the name of Christine McIver’s who lost her son Derek to cancer..The charity that we are currently supporting is The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Centre, which is very near and dear to my heart. This centre was started by Aditi Loveridge in an effort to connect individuals who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss to comprehensive and inclusive supports, including a peer mentorship program, at or below cost holistic therapies including massage, yoga and counselling, a 24/7 support line, etc.
Do you have any advice for people who are struggling to feel like warriors as they go through hardship? What should they do if they want to become part of your community and speak with fellow warriors?
Yes! And that would be that you don't have to feel like a warrior; you don't have to feel strong all the time. Rather, I would recommend that you allow yourself to feel everything. I did not start out on this journey feeling like a warrior at all. I was angry, I was incredibly sad, and I was resentful for having lost Kate. I was not a wonderful human in the early stages, but that changed over time as I worked through what I needed to work through. As I worked through my journey, I eventually felt stronger (it took about 3 years) and I can finally say I feel like a warrior (most days, that is). I would also recommend trying to find people with similar stories - those people who are your "tribe". Those people will just get it and get you. They will become a lifeline.
If anyone wants to become part of our community, simply give us a follow. I encourage people to look through our feed and read the stories of other warriors. Or, if you are struggling to find other examples of people who have experienced similar situations - other warriors, please direct message me. I can find these people or organizations representing these people and put you in contact with them.
Your shirts are so lovely! Most of the designs are quite minimalistic which I think adds to their power. Do you create the designs on your clothing? What is that process like?
Thank you so much! I've basically collected words or quotes that helped me through my journey or that resonated with me along the way and I've stored them in a book. As I think about these words or quotes, images come to mind that reflect the meaning of them to me and I either do a quick sketch and take it to a graphic designer or I go to the graphic designer and say "this is what I am thinking of" and then we work through it. I've worked with 3 graphic designers so far and would love to give them credit: @knapcreative, @little.bee.designs, & @brooketwildale.
It is important to me that the designs are simple, timeless and meaningful. For example, the "Keep Going" and "You've got this" designs are small and cursive and serve as a gentle reminder when you look at them to just keep putting one foot in front of the other and then the "Still Standing." is bigger and bolder and has a tree rooted in it, as a almost a stamp or badge of honour that says "Yeah, after everything I have been through, I am still standing - period!".
What is your dream for Warrior Label? How do you see yourself improving and/or expanding in the next 5 years?
My dream is to grow the business into a true social enterprise. At this point I give back 10% to non-profit, but I would like to evolve to something much bigger and much more impactful. One idea that keeps calling me is to employ a team of real life examples of warriors; an example might be hiring immigrants or refugees in various skill sets who are having trouble finding work in Canada in their field, or employing people who have escaped domestic violence and are starting all over. There are so many examples of companies doing incredible things for the world and I hope one day to be amongst them.
What is a valuable piece of wisdom or advice that has helped you get where you are today?
Hmmmm, that is a great question. Along the way a quote that has resonated with me is "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." (by Henry Ford). Typically, if I have wanted to do something or make a change, I just go after it. I don't usually let fear or self-doubt hold me back. I try to trust in myself and the universe as much as possible...
Find her at: https://warriorlabel.com/