East York sisters re-defining entrepreneurship

Postill teens opened Be The Vibe to build a sustainable water system in Africa

Be The Vibe

From left, Anna and Gemma Postill, owners of Be The Vibe, a not-for-profit jewellery company. (Kaitlyn Smith/Toronto Observer)

Gemma and Anna Postill went out for a walk and came back with a business.

About a month ago, 17-year-old Gemma and her 15-year-old sister, Anna, opened Be The Vibe, a not-for-profit organization. Their goal is to raise $3,000 to buy a sustainable rain water system for a village in East Africa.

“Four hundred and sixty-eight lives exactly,” said Anna. That’s 468 people living in the village who will receive the barrel once the Postill sisters have enough to pay for it.

Gemma, has been making jewellery since she was about eight years old. As a child, she liked to arrange things in order by their colour. Growing up, Gemma developed her keen eye for creating bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

Be The Vibe

The theme of Gemma’s newest line are bodies of water in Africa, reflecting the theme their business.  (Kaitlyn Smith/Toronto Observer)

“It doesn’t just help people for a day or for a week, it helps them for a lifetime,” said Gemma about the rain barrel they’re saving for.

Last year, Anna did missions work in South America and noticed subtle privileges she received compared to the locals she was helping.

She believes it was unfair.

“I want to help up, not help down,” Anna said.

From the website, setting up shop and networking the sisters are an independent business, uncommon for youth their age. People are shocked at their ambition.

“I think a lot of people don’t really see entrepreneurship for youth,” Anna said. “Having us do it has opened doors for other people to view it in a different way.”

Aimee Esparaz who stewards the girls’ funds for the rain water system says young people taking initiative inspires more acts of the same kind.

“It’s rare for sure,” said the Compassion Canada representative over the phone. “[Young people] have so much capacity to make the world better.”

The Postill sisters have raised over $800 for their rain water system. Once it’s ready, Gemma and Anna hope to fly down and see their hard work blossom.

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Posted: Dec 8 2016 7:08 pm
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