Prairie Proud clothing line supports charities across Prairies

A Saskatchewan-based clothing company is taking off in western Canada. With itslogos making theirway across the country, Prairie Proud is living up to its name.

Cole Thorpe launched the clothing line in 2014 with a goal of giving back to the community. The company sells shirts,hoodies, hats and accessories.Now, he's beginning to see his hard work pay off.

Thorpe grew up in Spy Hill, Sask.,where the village's population has been hovering around 200 people for the past few years.

"Community was something that was very important to me," explained Thorpe. "I got to see [what if felt like] growing up in a small [place] where everybody has to pitch in and where everybody has that prairie pride to begin with."

It wasn't until his university years that the idea to start the clothing company came to him. After entering in various entrepreneurial competitions, Thorpe wanted to build something of his own that incorporated his small town roots. This is when he came up with the concept: wear the pride; invest in the prairies.

Prairie Proud partners with charities in Alberta and Manitoba

Prairie Proud allows current and former residents of the prairies the opportunity to show that they're proud of their roots, said Thorpe. At the same time, about fiveper centof the profit of each saleis given toprairie-based charities.

Prairie Proudis currently partnering with the Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan, the Alberta Cancer Foundation, and the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

So far, Prairie Proud has been able to make charity contributions totaling $3,000.

"From a very early age, I've been very motivated and driven," said Thorpe. "So, when I started something from the ground up, I knew that I was ready for the work that I was going to have to put in to grow a business."

"It's a pretty cool feeling when you're walking down the street, whether it be in Saskatoon or in my home town, and you see people wearing the product," he added.