Why I Took a One‑Month Pause — And How It Led to a Stronger Mission for CHAP‑OH

If you’ve been following CHAP‑OH for a while, you may have noticed that the online store went quiet for about a month. No new drops, no updates, no announcements. Just… stillness. And while stepping back wasn’t easy, it turned out to be one of the most important decisions I’ve made for this brand and for the community it serves.

This pause wasn’t about rest. It was about reflection, clarity, and figuring out how to make CHAP‑OH do the most good possible.

A Mission That Outgrew Its Original Structure

When I started CHAP‑OH, I committed to donating 10% of profits to support the disabled community in Edmonton. It felt like a meaningful start — a way to give back while building something creative and purposeful.

But as the brand grew, so did my vision.

I kept meeting people who reminded me why this work matters. I kept hearing stories about the cost of mobility equipment — wheelchairs, prosthetics, walkers, adaptive tools — and how many people simply can’t afford what they need to live independently. And I kept feeling this pull to do more.

So I made a decision:
CHAP‑OH would transition from donating 10% of profits to donating 100%.
Every dollar of profit would go directly toward helping someone in the disabled community.

It was a big shift — and I wanted to do it right.

The Non‑Profit Question

Naturally, the next step seemed obvious:
Should CHAP‑OH become a non‑profit?

I spent days researching, reading, calling, asking questions, and trying to understand what it would take to turn CHAP‑OH into an Alberta non‑profit society. And the deeper I went, the more complicated it became.

Starting a non‑profit isn’t just about passion or purpose. It requires:

• a full board of directors
• formal governance structures
• ongoing reporting
• legal compliance
• administrative oversight
• a significant time commitment

And while I admire the organizations that take this on, I realized something important:
Becoming a non‑profit would pull me away from the heart of CHAP‑OH — creating, connecting, and giving back directly.

I didn’t want to spend my days buried in paperwork when I could be helping people now.

A Hard but Honest Realization

During this pause, I also had to face something that wasn’t easy to admit.

As a disabled person, a woman, and a mom of two, my time and energy are already stretched thin. I pour so much of myself into my family, my health, my recovery, and my community. And while I’m proud of everything I juggle, I had to acknowledge that I can’t do everything — at least not without burning myself out.

This moment of honesty helped me see that CHAP‑OH needed a path forward that was sustainable for the brand and for me as a human being.

Choosing a Simpler, More Impactful Path

After a lot of reflection, I made a decision that felt right in my gut and aligned with the spirit of CHAP‑OH:

Instead of becoming a non‑profit, CHAP‑OH will continue operating as a small business — but with a new commitment:
Every month, we will give $500 directly to one individual in the Edmonton disabled community to help them purchase mobility equipment.

No complicated systems.
No waiting for approvals.
No layers of administration.

Just real help, going straight to real people who need it.

This approach allows CHAP‑OH to stay flexible, personal, and community‑driven. It allows me to respond quickly, support individuals directly, and keep the brand rooted in the values that inspired it in the first place.

Why This Matters to Me

As an amputee myself, I know what it feels like when your life changes overnight. I know the cost of mobility equipment. I know the emotional weight of needing support — and the strength it takes to ask for it.

This isn’t just business for me.
It’s personal.
It’s purpose.
It’s community.

And I want CHAP‑OH to be a source of empowerment, not just apparel.

What Comes Next

Moving forward, CHAP‑OH will:

• continue offering the same products you love
• donate 100% of profits
• select one individual each month to receive $500
• share their stories to raise awareness

This is the beginning of a new chapter — one that feels more aligned, more impactful, and more true to why CHAP‑OH exists.

Thank You for Being Here

If you’ve supported CHAP‑OH in any way — by buying a hat, sharing a post, telling a friend, or simply cheering from the sidelines — you’re part of this movement. You’re helping someone gain independence, mobility, and dignity.

This month‑long pause wasn’t a setback.
It was a reset.
A recalibration.
A reminder of why this brand matters.

And now, CHAP‑OH is back — stronger, clearer, and more committed than ever.

One hat at a time, we’re changing lives.
Thank you for being part of it.

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If you want, I can also craft a shorter social‑media‑friendly version, a more emotional storytelling version, or a press‑release style announcement — whichever direction you want to take next.