I often get asked, "Why Ija?" People want to know what it stands for and how that relates to me. When I was thinking of a name for my business, I really struggled. I didn't want something too obvious and naming the business after myself wasn't really an option, (my last name is Hasler :) ). So I started going through things about myself that I would like to carry through with my business.
I was raised by a diehard feminist. My mom was a single mother who raised three children while going to grad school and maintaining a perfect 4.0. She is amazing. During my childhood, we were often reminded of the phenomenal opportunities women have today that they did not always have, and that those opportunities were won by the women who came before us.
I went on to study Women's Studies in college and try to be as politically involved as possible. Right around the time I started the business I had seen an HBO film about a group of suffragists referred to as the Iron Jawed Angels. These women fought severe adversity to protest for American women's right to vote. Through their tenacity and bold antics, they were able to witness the Susan B. Anthony Amendment become law on August 26th, 1920.
There is no way that a tattooed mother would be able to run her own business in our society if it wasn't for the women who fought so endlessly for women's rights. I think we've come quite a long way since the 20's, however I think we still have quite a ways to go. I try to make a conscious effort to support businesses that are women owned and run and feel that if others follow suit our daughters will look back in awe at the progress made in our lifetime.
