Sarah Herron is an Entrepreneur/Content Creator/Founder of SheLift from Colorado.

How did you get started in adventuring? And then how did that develop into the successful brand you’ve built today?

I wasn’t always a young girl who loved the outdoors. Actually, growing up in Colorado I much preferred playing with dolls, arts and crafts and in theater. Growing up with one hand I was very self-conscious and worried even at a young age what people would think about me if I tried to play sports or do things that required two hands, so instead, I found hobbies that were a little more introverted. When I was in my twenties, I decided to join my family on a ski trip to Aspen instead of staying back in the hotel room. Immediately I LOVED the sport. I felt so rewarded for looking up at the mountain I had skied down and saying to myself; “I did that!” From there, my thirst for adventure in the outdoors was untapped. In the following years, I gained the confidence to take up high alpine hiking, and set out to summit peaks (including the Cables on Half Dome at Yosemite National Park) all on my own. This passion for overcoming physical and emotional obstacles became my inspiration for starting SheLift; an organization that empowers young women with disabilities to overcome self-limiting beliefs.

How do you define community? What is the power of community?

I never understood what community really meant until I heard it explained by Brene Brown. She said; “Belonging is being accepted for you. Fitting in is being accepted for being like everyone else.” As a teenager, I was always trying to “fit in.” When I finally stopped caring what other people thought of me—even if it meant being completely alone—is when I started to find my true community.

What is the thing you love most about the outdoors/ adventure? How has that changed your outlook on life and career?

What I love most about the outdoors is its ability to reveal what it means to stand fully in yourself. When we can connect with nature, and recognize its magnitude, we can better understand how significant life is, and our specific role in it. Whether it’s to advocate for yourself, the planet, under represented communities or creativity; nature unites us all.

What is one small way you work to affect positive change each day?

I’m working diligently to reduce my footprint on this planet and to show others how to do the same. Where I live in the mountains of Colorado, climate change is visible. I want to do everything I can to make more ethically and environmentally conscious choices; whether it’s the products I buy, the manufacturing processes of businesses I support or the reusability of items I bring into my home, every choice I make, should make a difference. I am a huge proponent of the “slow fashion” movement.

What is one hope you have for the future?

My hope for the future is that more people are able to experience the outdoors in a way that moves them to preserve and to protect the gift we’ve been given. I hope we are able to see elimination of single-use plastics, bulk shopping, and carbon emissions. I hope the mainstream is able to make the shift to supporting more environmentally friendly and ethically sourced products.

Please detail any upcoming projects or anything you’d like to promote personally/ professionally or add to the above questions…

Currently I am co-founder of a relatively new program called Tents Without Gents. This organization is a women’s group designed to take ladies on self-supported outdoor adventures to educate them on recreating safely and responsibly. Attendees of our trips learn to push past physical barriers while learning about outdoor ethics like Leave No Trace.

And what makes you proud to be a part of the Parker Clay community?

I’m excited to be a part of the Parker Clay community because I want to support women-led businesses and I support the efforts to provide employment opportunities to women in Ethiopia. I also love that each item produced is hand-made and supports the slow-fashion industry.

Any favorite Parker Clay product/s?

My favorite product is the Merkato Zip Tote. I love this bag for my laptop, book and daily essentials. It’s a great catch-all tote that looks premium and feels durable.

Sarah Herron's Favorite Parker Clay:
The Merkato Zip Tote

Hear more from Sarah @sarahherron

Stay tuned for more interviews and stories coming soon, placing the spotlight on the faces and voices of our worldwide Parker Clay community. Learn more about Parker Clay's Impact here.