Wild Women in Hiking-Kelli Jones

WILD WOMEN IN HIKING

Meet Kelli Jones, Founder of NOSO Patches by Jaime Purinton

Meet Kelli JonesFounder of NosoPatches

Kelli Jones is the founder of Noso Patches, an innovative DIY gear patch that is made from high quality outdoor fabrics with the most aggressive adhesive to create durable, machine washable, permanent patches. While the patches work amazingly well, what I love the most is how they become an individual statement based on the design you choose, from bananas to corgis to aliens there is a patch for every personality. My favorite of course, is the avocado shaped patch! So let's jump right in and learn more about Kelli and Noso Patches!

Jaime: Where did you get the idea for Noso Patches? What was your life like before Noso? Kelli: In 2016, I hopped a barbed-wire fence while I was hunting and ripped my brand new Patagonia Fitz Roy down parka. I cut a piece of duct tape in the shape of a heart and put it on my coat but didn’t like the way it gummed up on the sides and my hair would get caught in the tape goo, so I decided I could make something cuter that worked better than tape. Tape is terrible for expensive gear, a lot of the pro fixers despise it. You need the right tool for the job, nylon gear rips all the time, and I had lots of tears in my clothes, so I started buying materials online that I would cut into heart and star patches. In the tram line at Jackson Hole, people kept asking about the patches on my gear. I was working in accounting, but eventually realized that this was a business opportunity.

Jaime: So what is a Noso Patch? What can it be used for? Kelli: Noso is a play on words – no sewing necessary. Patent pending, Noso Patches are unlike any other repair material on the planet. They are made of all kinds of fabric with a super aggressive permanent adhesive. I never understood why people in my small town used tape to repair their gear, you need the right tool for the job. You can patch just about anything with Noso. They work great on backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, snowboard pants & ski coats, puffy jackets, fishing waders, duffels, motorcycle seats & more!

Jaime: How is Noso contributing to sustainability? Why is this important to you? Kelli: At Noso, conservation is in our DNA. We seek to uplift community and patch the planet for future generations to enjoy. We believe that your gear and garments hold power and meaning, and that adventure is an important part of human connection. Even the most durable outdoor gear can suffer snags, rips, and tears. That’s why we invented Noso. We are committed to ethical manufacturing guidelines and sustainable practices, and we love discovering new ways to improve upon both. We are committed to diversity and inclusivity: in our hiring practices, our product sourcing, our visual content, and our core values. As of January 2020, we are focusing as much as we can on sustainable measures, especially when it comes to the main byproduct of retail sales: packaging. We are now sourcing FSC certified, compostable, biodegradable, and recycled packaging materials. We have a new carbon credits program called CO2ok that gives our customers the ability to add a carbon credit to their purchase by simply clicking a button. When you click the CO2ok button during checkout, we calculate the cost to compensate for the CO2 required in manufacturing and shipping the product. The extra fee is 1% on average and will be invested in our certified partners: Atmosfair & Fair Climate Fund.

Jaime: What do you find in the mountains that gives you inspiration? Kelli: Everything. Nature is the #1 example of the perfect circular economy, and living in the mountains is a daily reminder to me what needs to be done. Making it cool to be conscious about the environment is a start. We are striving to close the manufacturing loop and extend the life of garments for as long as possible keeping items in use and out of the landfill. The value chain from design to delivery is what we have needed and thankfully is starting to happen. We need more brands to take these cues and make thoughtful decisions at the design stage in order to develop products that will bring value and last. Repairing your gear or repurposing products is honorable and can become a respected practice. We need to come together, help one another, and be mindful of the effects of our actions.

Jaime: What is the best part of being an entrepreneur? What is the most challenging part? Kelli: Best: I have the freedom and flexibility to create and focus my energy on my passion which is reducing textile waste and patching the planet for future generations to enjoy. Challenging: Solving for scale.

We have grown so fast in such a short amount of time. I am grateful that I have a great team to support all of the ups and downs that come with starting a business and building it from the ground up.

Jaime: If you could choose any adventure in the world, what and where would it be? Kelli: I’m easy. I love Idaho. I love West Virginia. I love Wyoming. I love exploring – there is so much to see. One time I went on a group hike with the Teton Native Plant Society for 3 hours, and we only covered about 10 yards. When you start looking around, you realize there are all these things that you miss in our fast-paced life.

Jaime: Do you have any advice you would give to a woman wanting to break into the outdoor industry? Kelli: Ask questions & listen.

Jaime: What is a piece of advice or wisdom that was given to you by someone else that you live by?

Kelli: Stay on the tiger.

Jaime: What does Hike It Off mean to you? Kelli: Hiking is the same as taking my vitamins. It is very therapeutic for my mind, body, and soul. Hiking promotes the enhancement/stoke of my physical, social and psychological wellbeing. I would cease to exist without the mountains, trails, and valleys I regularly hike.