Our Heart » Founding Story

The Founding Story
Amie Mariana Sider was born into poverty in a remote area of Guatemala in 1987. After being adopted into a Canadian home, Amie’s life was transformed by the love of her family, and given hope and opportunity for the future. Throughout her life she carried a passion for caring for others and meeting the needs of people. She wanted others to live life as abundantly as she had because in her eyes – everyone deserves opportunity.

The Dream
During Amie’s university years she knew there had to be a way for her to provide hope and opportunity for marginalized and vulnerable people. One of her university projects had her complete an internship for an international NGO. During her internship with CH Global, Amie had the opportunity to work in Guatemala and Ethiopia. Within these two countries she saw the need for positive employment to allow individuals to break the cycle of poverty. She knew that young people carry tremendous power and are fully capable of changing the world. She believed that everyone was able to help employ people around the world (including North America) by buying NationWares jewelry, items, and accessories created by talented and gifted designers, artisans, and entrepreneurs from around the world. During the summer of 2008, NationWares was officially born.

The Outcome
Micro Enterprise and Fair Trade systems allowed Amie to create a business model founded on the pillars of sustainability, making sure the NationWares impact was always social, economic, and environmental. After three years of operation NationWares now serves over 1000 people in over 10 different countries as Amie’s dream continues to expand.

The Future
Amie is passionate about empowering people with exceptional needs and believes in full inclusion for people with physical and developmental disabilities. She has also spent time working with at-risk youth and knows the great need for them to have positive life influence and employment. Her goal is to create storefronts in her home province of Ontario, Canada where local at-risk youth, and individuals with exceptional needs can be employed selling NationWares. Amie dreams of the day where people can connect at the heart through products, stories, and sharing the desire to create a world that includes all people and lifts up those who have been marginalized. Help NationWares share the love today!

Hear Amie Speak
If you would like Amie to speak to your classroom, school, community group, church group, business, friends etc. please send her an email to asider@nationwares.com