1. Media Contact:
Courtney Oliver
770-364-2288
ceo0008@auburn.edu
Re-Invention: How It Came To Be
In 2007, Kellie Guthrie realized her vision for a world without poverty, unemployment and
wastefulness needed to begin with her. Guthrie founded Re-Invention with the goal of creating
new opportunities in social enterprise.
She knew that this business would not be like others, and that is exactly how she wanted it.
Based in Montgomery, Ala., Re-Invention would be truly unique.
“It’s all about maintaining a balance between relations and business,” Guthrie said. “The major
focus of the business is on humans, not stockholders.”
Although Guthrie has always been passionate about the well-being of others, a trip to Bangkok
where she witnessed human trafficking really initiated the idea of forming Re-Invention.
After witnessing countless accounts of poverty in her time spent in the fashion industry, Guthrie
wanted to change this social issue. Not only did Guthrie want to improve poverty in the world,
but she wanted everything she did to be done in a sustainable manner.
“The idea of social enterprise is so important in today’s world,” Guthrie said. “Everything we
gain or earn is reinvested into the community.”
Re-Invention’s initiative to revolutionize the way we live is primarily focused on Guthrie’s brand
G.E.A.R. (Go! Everyone, Everywhere and Re-Invent).
G.E.A.R. is a line of sustainably handmade, re-invented, recycled and re-purposed accessories,
home accents, furnishings and other products.
Guthrie first took the G.E.A.R. line to market in 2010 with only a select group of products.
Based on its level of success, the brand has expanded to encompass more products and
collaborations with other social businesses.
“I like to place a focus on collaborations with others,” Guthrie said. “It allows more growth for
the community when individuals and groups can become involved.”
Re-Invention is currently working with Friendship Mission in Montgomery. This partnership
allows the homeless of Montgomery to actively learn to cut, sew and create the G.E.A.R.
products.
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2. This partnership ultimately provides these people in the community with the abilities and
experience needed for working in today’s world, along with the confidence to seek employment.
“We are not only creating sustainable products,” Guthrie said, “but sustainable lives.”
Guthrie’s vision for a world without poverty, unemployment and wastefulness is a driving force
behind all of her endeavors, even when she experiences setbacks and failures. The hardships that
Guthrie and Re-Invention have faced hardly compare to those of the world that she desires to
change.
“I want to focus on empowerment rather than negative aspects of life,” Guthrie said. “I always
put a positive spin on things.”
It is this goal of a more positive and self-reliable world that keeps the idea of Re-Invention
relative today.
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