We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Slattery Founder of Barely Canadian. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly Slattery below.
Kelly Slattery, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
My husband and I fostered 4 teenagers and adopted 2 AMAZING teenagers from foster care, so it was easy to identify my purpose. Barely Canadian creates super soft clothing that supports Foster Youth and we’re grateful to do so.
My husband starting calling me “Barely Canadian” because I’m freezing all the time, and I mean all the time. It’s quite funny how Canadian imports like myself, acclimatize and find California summers chilly. I had an idea that summer sweaters would solve the issue and so became Barely Canadian. Launching this company and figuring out how to create the super soft clothing we were seeking would be a great way to show our kids that with some hard work and consistency, any idea can come to fruition.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Although I initially moved to Los Angeles from Canada as a songwriter/ singer, I’ve had a handful of careers along the way that led me to our social enterprise clothing brand, Barely Canadian.
I initially moved to America as a musician. I wrote replacement songs for the studios, sang KFC and Ikea commercials and wrote source songs for a variety of TV shows and Films. I then moved on to produce films for Lionsgate and Anchor Bay, to owning a production company that produced, SOUND CITY and SONIC HIGHWAYS with Dave Grohl, co-created a TV show with the creator of 2 1/2 Men and Big Bang Theory and sold it in the room to ABC Networks, transitioned to philanthropy and ran a nonprofit, and then launched Barely Canadian. It’s been an exciting time here in the U.S., eh? : )
As Foster-to-Adopt parents, my husband and I are very passionate about serving Foster Youth and our brand is no different. We train and hire Foster Youth and the bulk of our models and photographers had been in care at one point in their lives. That is to say, we have created a community that includes so many deserving kids and in doing so, we’ve created a beautiful community that we’re thrilled to serve.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I think the most valuable skills I focus on is creating good will wherever I can. I love connecting people and learning down the line how those connections were woven into jobs or friendships.
It’s still an active passion of mine, so much so that I started a group called Power Ladies in August of 2023. It’s once a month event with the goal of each member asking each other, “How can I help you?” It’s become an incredible group of almost 300 women.
The 2nd most valuable skill would be listening. Really understanding what your client is sharing is the best way to serve their needs and ultimately your brand’s mission.
The 3rd would be to do as you say and say as you do.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
We are always looking for people, organizations and companies to partner with! We’ve been lucky to have some incredible partnerships to date. As we say, it takes a village and we come with the village that we serve, so the more voices that share our mission the better!
We want to partner with anyone and everyone who would like to support Foster Youth. If you’re reading this, email me. : ) kelly@barelycanadian.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://barelycanadian.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barelycanadian/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarelyCanadian/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-slattery-5126758/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4XoxjXRhQMnXGwlfmsrsbA
- Other: Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@bebarelycanadian
Image Credits
Julie Slattery-Miller
