The Cross Stitch Business Model

When you buy clothes, where does your money go?

Each year, Michael Jordan earns approximately $150 million from Nike. Lebron James's Nike contract earns him about $32 million per year for the rest of his life. Under Armour pays Steph Curry $20 million/year, which is also set to become a lifetime deal. Adidas has a $200 million deal with James Harden. And these are but a sampling of $100 million+ payouts to athletes by apparel companies.

Then there are the designers/CEOs themselves. Ralph Lauren is reportedly worth nearly $7 billion. Giorgio Armani is worth over $9 billion. Phil Knight - more than $60 billion.

Just imagine if all those revenue dollars that are currently helping to further enrich billionaire endorsees and company heads went instead to people who are hurting and in need of mercy. What kind of changes might we see in the world?

Sara Blakely, CEO/founder of Spanx, who is worth over $1 billion, has signed on to the Giving Pledge, a campaign that gets commitments from some of the world's wealthiest people to give away at least half of their fortune either during their life or after they've died. And this is a beautiful thing. At Cross Stitch, we want to take this idea even farther.

For us, the 50% pledge starts now, from the first dollar we ever make. And if our profits climb, the percentage we give away will, too. Our goal is to someday reach the level of a reverse tithe – with 90% of profits (or more!) going toward Christian philanthropy. And yes, we focus on groups that share the Word as well as physical resources. As Peter said, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15)

When you buy Cross Stitch clothes, you can feel good about where your money goes.