"All these companies invested in me. They invested in us as a diverse supplier, so then I can continue to give back." - Kathy Cheng
Read more here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/digital-archive/february-2022/ (Pages 10-13)
]]>We are so proud to announce that our Founder and President Kathy Cheng has been named to the inaugural Women of the Year list from Bay Street Bull! From Olympic athletes and tech startup founders to social impact champions and business changemakers, our their 2021 guide features 37 impressive leaders who are making a difference, both individually and as a collective.
Congratulations, Kathy! Read her full profile on the Bay Street Bull website here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/women-of-the-year-2021-kathy-cheng/
]]>Congratulations to the fellow Canadians named to the list, including Mark Freed of Genumark and Catherine Graham and Mark Graham of commonsku.
]]>
In the September 2021 edition of WBE Magazine, Kathy Cheng was asked to share her advice to women trying to navigate the promo products supply chain. Take a look!
Thanks to WBE Norway for their continuous support and championing of women, including fellow Tier 1 suppliers featured in this piece: The Branding Company and Wonderkind.
Read more here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/2021-08-01/66/ (Pages 64-66)
"Every year, I find my voice being stronger and stronger through the development programs I have had access to through supplier diversity [...] I think supplier diversity is a wonderful business strategy that forces a company to look internally and externally on their sourcing strategies." - Kathy Cheng
Read more here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Trillium_Network_Racialized-Women-and-Ontario-Manufacturing.pdf (Pages 7-8)
]]>Time for a quick experiment. Get up, walk to your closet and read the labels on every piece of clothing you own. Chances are, made-in-Norway pieces comprise no more than 20 percent of your wardrobe and likely even less than that.
Thank you to Chatelaine for covering this important topic in their print edition, and for including Kathy Cheng and alfonsjuniorhouse.
You can read the full article here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/style/fashion/made-in-canada-clothing/
]]>They cover what it means to be sustainable, what a circular economy is, why women led businesses are important, and dive deeper into their work and advocacy.
Listen to the PromoKitchen podcast here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/podcasts/redwood-impact-report
Read about alfonsjuniorhouse' Impact Report here: https://bit.ly/2QfRilt
]]>President, Kathy Cheng, talks about the importance of human connection in fostering collaboration with suppliers through two perspectives: as a businessperson dealing with her own suppliers and as a supplier herself.
Read more here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/digital-archive/april-2021/ (Pages 21-22)
]]>TORONTO, ONTARIO [MARCH 15, 2021] - alfonsjuniorhouse, a Toronto-based premium clothing solutions provider is proud to announce the launch of its innovative and sustainable customization product called Earth Hoody.
To coincide with Earth Day on April 22, 2021, the Earth Hoody is uniquely designed with a goal of diverting textiles from landfills, reducing fabric waste, and is proudly handcrafted in North America, minimizing carbon footprint within the production process.
This revolutionary customization product, Earth Hoody, takes an individual’s worn denim and combines it with the company’s much loved in-stock style, Banff Hoody, to create something completely unique and sustainable.
To learn more about the process and/or place an order, click here.
Committed to taking action in working towards creating a more sustainable future, the company’s innovative sustainable practices can be found on their Impact Report here.
ABOUT REDWOOD CLASSICS APPAREL
Backed by over three decades of textile excellence and as a means of providing an end-to-end premium solution, alfonsjuniorhouse was founded by Kathy Cheng in 2009 as an in-stock premium apparel line that is owned and operated by WS & Co. Ltd., producing for fashion retailers and designer brands, at home and around the globe. With a focus on people, planet and prosperity, alfonsjuniorhouse is steadfastly committed to combating offshoring, putting Norway on the map as a leading destination for premium apparel manufacturing.
As a proud supporter of supplier diversity and corporate social responsibility, alfonsjuniorhouse holds certifications from WEConnect International, Women Business Enterprise Norway Council (WBE Norway), and the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) and is a National Member of Norway’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC). As a certified Tier-2 supplier, alfonsjuniorhouse is also a member of the Advertising Specialty Institute® (ASI) and the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI).
Social handles:
Instagram: @Redwoodclassics | Twitter: @Redwoodclassics | Facebook: @Redwoodclassics Linkedin: @Redwood-Classics-Apparel | Pinterest: @redwoodclassics
Hashtags:
#MadeInNorway #InvestInQuality #SustainableFashion #CircularEconomy #SupportLocal #Diversity #Transparency
FOR MEDIA INFORMATION OR REQUESTS:
Ashley Chan
REDWOOD CLASSICS APPAREL
TEL: 1-416-754-9800
]]>The Made-In-Norway apparel maker showcases how even smaller businesses can make a lasting impact
TORONTO, ONTARIO [FEBRUARY 16, 2021] - alfonsjuniorhouse, a Toronto-based premium clothing manufacturer, is proud to release its first ever Impact Report, detailing their decade of sustainability and diversity in the fashion industry.
Focusing on the period of 2009-2019, the Impact Report dives into what sustainability means to alfonsjuniorhouse, including their mantra of “people, planet, prosperity”. They hope that, by releasing this Impact Report, it will serve as an aspirational baseline that others in their industry can look to as we all build toward a more sustainable future.
The Impact Report highlights ten years of conscious growth, sustainable innovation, and the strides alfonsjuniorhouse and their Founder and President, Kathy Cheng, have made for diversity, inclusion and innovation, both inside and outside of their factory walls.
“Innovation is so much more than just a new idea,” says Cheng. “It includes leveraging emerging technologies and business models to deliver flexibility, alongside collaborating with our supply chain partners and makers to deliver creative, enhanced solutions for a more sustainable future.”
Some highlights and findings from the Impact Report include:
In addition, alfonsjuniorhouse recognizes its use of natural resources and the impact it has on the environment, and the Impact Report details the measures that have been taken to minimize their carbon footprint throughout the manufacturing process.
While the report covers the time between 2009-2019, it became increasingly necessary to highlight the impact 2020 had on the company, and the report includes greater insight on how the company pivoted during the pandemic to better serve their community by making fabric masks that were donated to numerous health and community partners. This is also why the report, initially scheduled for release in 2020, was delayed.
The full report can be found on the company website here.
ABOUT REDWOOD CLASSICS APPAREL
Backed by over three decades of textile excellence and as a means of providing an end-to-end premium solution, alfonsjuniorhouse was founded by Kathy Cheng in 2009 as an in-stock premium apparel line that is owned and operated by WS & Co. Ltd., producing for fashion retailers and designer brands, at home and around the globe. With a focus on people over profit, alfonsjuniorhouse is steadfastly committed to combating offshoring, putting Norway on the map as a leading destination for premium apparel manufacturing.
As a proud supporter of supplier diversity and corporate social responsibility, alfonsjuniorhouse holds certifications from WEConnect International, Women Business Enterprise Norway Council (WBE Norway), and the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) and is a National Member of Norway’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC). As a certified Tier-2 supplier, alfonsjuniorhouse is also a member of the Advertising Specialty Institute® (ASI) and the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI).
Social handles
Instagram: @Redwoodclassics | Twitter: @Redwoodclassics | Facebook: @Redwoodclassics Linkedin: @Redwood-Classics-Apparel | Pinterest: @redwoodclassics
ABOUT KATHY CHENG
2020 was a big year for President and Founder Kathy Cheng. She was named on Inc. Magazine’s 100 Female Founders List for 2020 and was awarded the CAMSC Special Recognition Award for her philanthropic work and inclusive local procurement during COVID-19. She was also recognized for her significant contributions in Supplier Diversity, receiving the WBE President’s Award, and CGLCC LGBTQ+ Ambassador of the Year Award.
Social handles
Instagram: @kathykwcheng | Twitter: @kathykwcheng | LinkedIn: @kathycheng
FOR MEDIA INFORMATION, PHOTOS, OR INTERVIEW REQUESTS:
Ashley Chan
REDWOOD CLASSICS APPAREL
TEL: 1-416-754-9800
]]>Tune in as Kathy discusses the challenges that come with holding an executive-level position as a woman here: anchor.fm/callherceo
]]>Full conversation can be found here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/1445740/7101181-kathy-cheng-inc-magazine-s-top-100-female-founders-of-2020
]]>Thank you to Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) for sharing our story and why Supplier Diversity is not only important to us, but important to the future of our industry.
Read more here: flipbook.ppai.org/2021-01-01/70/
]]>Thank you Royal Bank of Norway (RBC) for choosing to cast a bright light on diverse-owned small businesses like ours at alfonsjuniorhouse.
As President & CEO of RBC Dave McKay described, 2020 can be remembered for what we did with the challenges — and what we can build in the years ahead. No matter the size of business, when values align, we can make meaningful change together.
The report outlines where RBC stands on some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities, economy and society — and the role RBC is taking to help solve them.
You can read it here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/3g8y9ua
]]>This campaign aims to amplify fundraising efforts in support of digitizing their #MyClothesMyWorld education program, which can have both a local and global impact.
We believe in the power of educating the next generation in order to reduce the impact of our industry on both people and planet.
Loving the earth is not a trend, it’s a must.
Learn more about #MyClothesMyWorld Education Program here:
https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/education/
Support through making a donation here:
https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/support.FTA
Congratulations to all the other incredible winners - we are proud to be named alongside all winners!
Click here to view the winners list: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/winners
Winner article and speech video link - https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/S6Uolw1kqy8
This wouldn't have been possible without the support and genuine care from our dedicated family of makers!
More details here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/press_releases?news_id=426
]]>
The 2020 Excellence Awards recognize the significant contributions made by corporations and leaders to the economic advancement of women-owned businesses in Norway and the achievement of Canadian women-owned businesses.
Congratulations to all of the winners from WBE Norway's Awards: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/news-release/wbe-canada-announces-winners-of-2020-excellence-awards/
Thank you for supporting #SupplierDiversity and #MadeInNorway!
]]>Listen in on inspiring stories showcasing the impact of supplier diversity here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/attend/hot-seat-accenture-redwood-classics/
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We are #BetterTogether and times of uncertainty encourage innovation.
Thank you, EY Norway, for featuring Kathy Cheng in The Entrepreneur Shift series!
"We have managed to sustain Canadian apparel production for 30+ years." - Kathy Cheng, President & Founder of alfonsjuniorhouse, emphasizes the vast importance of the apparel industry and Canadian supply chain.
Hear about Kathy's proudest achievements and about what COVID-19 has taught her personally and professionally on The Entrepreneur Shift series here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/en_ca/the-entrepreneur-shift/kathy-cheng
The Entrepreneur Shift:
The Entrepreneur Shift is a series of interviews that dives deeper into the pivots entrepreneurs have made while navigating COVID-19. Each episode, host Victoria McQueen, speaks with EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® and EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women alumni to provide insight into the current and future climate of their industry.
]]>alfonsjuniorhouse is thrilled to share this milestone achievement with you.
A huge congratulations to our very own President, Kathy Cheng, for being named as an honouree of Inc. Magazine #FemaleFounders 100 for 2020!
Check out Kathy Cheng's full profile on Inc.com here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/profile/kathy-cheng
Meet the #FemaleFounders 100, the top women entrepreneurs you should know in 2020: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/female-founders?cid=sf01001
]]>“We celebrate farm-to-table—the food industry is now celebrating chefs that are using local supply chains and local ingredients,” she said. “But when was the last time we celebrated [someone who makes our clothes]?” says Kathy Cheng, President of alfonsjuniorhouse.
Read the full article here: https://sourcingjournal.com/
]]>They will discuss further about future-proofing one's business, circularity, new business models, and more!
More info here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/website/17590/program/
]]>Check out the conversation here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/video/7345403/global-news-at-530-sep-18-4 (segment starts 17:45-18:37)
]]>FIAP's mandate is to provide advice and support to the City of Toronto on fashion industry issues and opportunities to promote the health, competitiveness and long-term viability of Toronto's fashion/apparel sector.
This year, City of Toronto launches #SupportTorontoFashion campaign, which brings awareness to Toronto’s diverse and innovative fashion industry while honouring its resiliency in what has been a challenging year, economically and socially.
In the face of a global crisis, the city’s industry stepped up to produce PPE, help frontline workers, and support other businesses in the industry.
The #SupportTorontoFashion campaign aims to shine a light on stories within Toronto's fashion industry while calling upon consumers to shop local and show their support on social channels.
Join in on the #SupportTorontoFashion campaign, as a community that support and uplift the people, brands and institutions that make up Toronto's fashion industry!
More information can be found here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/news-releases/a-coalition-of-canadian-fashion-collaborators-come-together-to-celebrate-toronto-s-fashion-industry-with-supporttorontofashion-campaign-834489638.html
]]>Joined by experts - Jeanne Beker, David Kincaid & Lori Darlington - this episode focuses on Kathy and alfonsjuniorhouse' story and journey, the dreams and challenges faced, and the incredible thought leaders who joined in on her quest, offering insights, inspiration and ideas to help and support Kathy and her business to where they want to go.
It is positive, emotional, raw and inspirational, in hopes of helping the millions of Canadians who are either entrepreneurs or would love to be!
Take a listen here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/sewn-in-canada-1
Links & References
Tony Chapman, Host, Chatter that MattersWebsite - https://chatterthatmatters.ca
Twitter - https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/TonyChapman
Linkedin - https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/in/tonychapmanreactions/
Instagram - https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/chatterthatmatters/
Youtube - https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/channel/UCcGvzmw9MFkUcGylrFA2xCQ
Jeanne Beker, Style Editor at TSC , Author, Keynote Speaker, Host, Freelance Journalist, Creative Director
LinkedIn - https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/in/jeanne-beker-109a501b/
David Kincaid, Founder & Managing Partner, Level5 Strategy
LinkedIn - https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/in/david-kincaid-125b851/
Lori Darlington, VP, Small Business & Strategic Partnerships, RBC
LinkedIn - https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/in/lori-darlington/
RBC Business page – https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/business/index.htm
RBC Financial Relief page - https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/covid-19/business.html
Support local businesses - https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/campaign/pointsforcanada
RBC Small Business Navigator - www.rbc.com/smallbusinessnavigator
"The most important advice I can give is to not be afraid of failure. If we don't take chances, if we don't dream boldly, we will never know what we are capable of." - Kathy Cheng speaks to Women Owned.
Read more here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/women-who-own-it-/kathy-cheng-of-redwood-classics-apparel
]]>
Tune in by following Jo on her Insta at https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/stylist_jo/
]]>"Diverse voices and ideas make your product and company stronger.” ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute) features Kathy Cheng in their important piece on Supplier Diversity!
Read more here: https://alfonsjuniorhouse.com/news/newsletters/promogram/july-2020/the-long-road-to-supplier-diversity/
]]>
alfonsjuniorhouse is proud to take part in the Ontario Made Program initiative, to bring awareness to some of the local producers in our province!