miniSCOOP: Hope In the 'Sole' of North Carolina

Grab your tissues – you'll want them for this special edition of miniSCOOP, featuring an American-made brand and their Hurricane Helene story. We hope it inspires you as much as it did us. 🫶🏽 Then stick around ... because we have a new 100% MADE IN USA product of our own. 🇺🇸

Five years ago, Justin James and his wife, Amanda, opened a shoe factory outside of Asheville, North Carolina – a realization of Justin's lifelong dream to design and manufacture the "best sneaker made in America."   

In fact, their company, "Opie Way," was having its best year to date ... until Hurricane Helene.
 
With raw candor, Justin walks us through the early days of entrepreneurship and the recent devastation brought by Helene that has tested not only his professional fortitude but also his personal faith.  

This unique story of hope and grit highlights one man’s tenacity, the strength of North Carolina’s unique business culture and community and the undeniable resilience of the American spirit – a conversation truly made to connect 'sole' to soul. 

Click HERE for the GoFundMe set up for Justin’s family. 

Click HERE for the raffle Justin mentions of “Made in America” companies rallying to support Opie Way. 

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Quick. Concise. Nonpartisan. Exactly what you need to make sense of it all.

We began the week with a historic first when SpaceX returned a rocket booster to its launch pad. Not to be outdone, a rare comet graced us with its presence all week. More products were added to a major meat recall, but don't worry ... we have you covered with the latest. In addition, a lot of action this week in the Middle East ... find all those stories HERE.

And ending on a fun note – did you catch the hidden tomb found at the very site where "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" was filmed?

For these stories (and more), visit SmartHERNews.com. 🗞️

We've purchased the fabric, and the embroidery machine is fired up. Our newest hats support SmartHER News ... and a small business in California. PLUS! We've added free shipping for ALL orders over $75. (This applies to our ENTIRE SHOP, not just the hats!)

You helped write the newest chapter of our store! We wanted to create something truly special for you based on your feedback – offer made in America options, support local artisans, complement any outfit (size, style or season) and provide an easy way for you to help us build a solution in news! 🗞️

Digging up secrets of the past. 🦴 A discovery in Denmark of "exceptionally well-preserved" 10th century skeletons could offer more clues on Viking history and culture.

A special exhibit opens in New York City this January on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Visit the full-size replica of Anne Frank's Secret Annex – over 3,600 miles away from the original.

Turns out, political parties differ on more than just policies. Democrats and Republicans have different food preferences, too. Which presidential candidate spent over $35,000 on McDonald's? And which one craves a midnight pizza? You'll have to read to find out.

And that's your miniSCOOP!

❤️,  
Jenna and the SHN Team 

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