We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jordan Wenck. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jordan below.

Hi Jordan, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

The story of Rice Love began with two friends at university in the state of Hawaii. Corbin is from California but lived in South America amongst the poor, giving him a heart for people who were less fortunate than himself. Coney was raised by a family from the lowest caste in India, known as the “untouchables.” His family lived in poverty for many generations. As a kid, Coney walked to school passing other children who lived in huts alongside long unsanitary ditches. These families did not make enough money to provide their children with adequate food or education. Seeing this, Coney began thinking about how he could help them break free from poverty. When Coney and Corbin met in Hawaii, they discussed how the world food system was broken. The world had enough food to feed everyone, yet, 1 in 9 people were still going to bed on an empty stomach. 800 million people were hungry, with 200 million of them in India, more than any country in the world. Rice Love was born out of our passion to do good for people and the planet. We design tote bags and backpacks utilizing eco-friendly, cruelty-free materials, and that provide fair trade jobs. Our customers are the heroes who make our sustainable giving possible. Coney’s family manages our giving in India and finds families with temporary job loss or illness to give to. Every family is delivered 25 kilos of quality rice. Each family’s story is posted on ricelove.org to say “Thank you!”

I, Jordan Wenck, am not the founder of Rice Love. We acquired Rice Love last year from Coney and Corbin to carry on their legacy. To me, Rice Love is much more than just a business to grow. It’s a movement, it’s empowerment. It is a job for women with quality working conditions and fair wages. Rice Love is hope. It allows families the opportunity to save for the first time in their lives, which grants many children the opportunity to attend school. Rice Love is change. With food and education, the rising generation can see a tangible path to breaking free from the limitations of poverty. Rice Love is giving. Through purchasing Rice Love products, you fuel the flame of change, envisioned by the co-founders, that not only contributes to the end of hunger within India, but also empowers true social change and environmental sustainability. Our families feel your love and they share their photo and story to say, “Thank you!”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a Florida native currently traveling the world while I operate Rice Love. This year, I have been to California, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Utah, Texas, Virginia, Florida, Greece, France, Spain and Portugal. I have a passion for healthy living, giving back, authenticity, and making connections through culture and travel. After working in digital marketing, social media, and ecommerce for 10 years, I saw Rice Love as the ideal place to begin my entrepreneurial journey. As co-owner and operator, I am able to put all of my energy and creativity into more than just a business. I get to take our one of a kind products to amazing places all over the world to create content and spread our mission that helps other people around the world. I believe in honesty and doing good, eating your veggies, and playing outside as much as possible. My happy place i at the beach while watching the sunset with my shoes in my hand and a Rice Love bag on my back.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Yes, we do manufacture our products, relying on two primary manufacturers. I was lucky to inherit two excellent manufacturers, so for me it was navigating the working relationship that was the challenge. Initially, I lacked experience in working with manufacturers, and it took time to understand their processes and how to effectively communicate, especially considering the cultural differences, as they are based in India.

In the early stages, communication nuances added an extra layer of complexity. For instance, one manufacturer consistently addressed me as “sir” due to my name being Jordan. Deciding whether or not to reveal my gender was a consideration. As we progressed, I recognized the importance of providing explicit details in my instructions. The initial product development phase was somewhat challenging due to oversights on my part—whether it was insufficient details, unclear requests, or attempting to develop too many products simultaneously.

These experiences taught me invaluable lessons about effective manufacturing processes, through detail management and proper communication. I realized the necessity of thorough documentation and careful scrutiny of product samples. Balancing detailed instructions with patience and understanding are some of my biggest lessons and managing partnerships. To make relationships even better, I plan to visit India in 2024.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Maintaining open communication with our customers and fostering brand loyalty is a top priority for me and something I enjoy doing. I personally respond to every customer service inquiry and engage with comments and messages on social media. Building a genuine connection with our community is essential. Whenever someone takes the time to comment, I make it a point to express our gratitude, emphasizing how much their engagement contributes to our business.

Acknowledging individuals for joining our mission is also a personal touch I find crucial. I often encourage them to share photos of their experiences with our products, creating a sense of shared adventure. I believe in the idea that we are all in this together, and that mutual appreciation is beneficial for them as customers but also me on the business side.

One aspect I particularly enjoy is when people share their journeys with our bags. Expressing gratitude for their support and demonstrating genuine interest in their experiences helps establish a meaningful relationship. I find that people appreciate being valued, and this approach has been instrumental in nurturing brand loyalty. Taking care of our customers is not just a part of the business; it’s a personal commitment that I truly value.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ricelove.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricelovebags
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ricelovebags/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ricelovebags