Rome Cruz is a young man with a plan. And right now, that plan includes Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation.
For about a year, Rome has been thinking about starting a business that would benefit small non-profit organizations. He enrolled in a class on how to start a business and established Loove Clothing Company
while he was still learning how a business works. “Because of the quarantine, I have time to get it going right now,” he says. Currently, Rome is the business. He is the CEO, designer, print coordinator, webmaster, and social media guru.
Education in the time of COVID
Rome turned 18 years old in August. As a freshman at Cosumnes River College, he will be majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Political Science. Due to COVID-19, his classes are online only.
Choosing his first beneficiary
Rome learned about Albie Aware playing baseball at Elk Grove High School. The team participates in a Breast Cancer Awareness game each year at Sacramento City College. The cause struck home with him because of a close family friend who was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer recently.
Customizing the product
Rome’s concept is to sell T-shirts with the non-profit’s logo and donate five percent of the profits to the charity. In the case of Albie Aware, the shirts will feature the pink breast cancer ribbon. His goal is to help a different non-profit each season. For now, he will choose organizations within California, but he has a bold vision to grow into a national brand.
Profit with a purpose
Future beneficiaries may include Toys for Tots and the SPCA. He just wants to help organizations reach their funding goals, an especially worthy goal in this time of canceled fundraisers. He plans to charge $25 for each shirt, which would bring in a donation of about $2.00.
Motivation
Rome says, “We are focused on moving forward with infinite love. No matter who you’re talking to always have love in the back of your mind.” An entrepreneur with heart is just what the world needs right now.
