Rowing has always fascinated us. Brendon grew up near Great River on Long Island, and often saw the teams out practicing, but he never had an opportunity to participate in it. As for Brendon, rowing is another world away for most people; it's very expensive and only takes place in certain schools and communities, most of which are in a position of privilege.

But the beauty of the sport itself, and the dedication required to be successful at it are still inspiring. That's why when we met Jack Carlson of Rowing Blazers we took a real interest. Jack grew up with the sport, and eventually made it to Oxford University, where he did a Ph.D. and raced in the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race. He also made it onto the U.S. national rowing team and won a bronze medal at the World Championships. His brand is a natural extension of his interests and a result of a book he published by the same name.

When we discussed how could work together, he mentioned an organization he supports called Row New York. Established in 2002, Row New York teaches kids the discipline of competitive rowing and provides them with academic support. The organization is run by a dedicated team - including Arshay Cooper, who was, himself, a member of the nation’s first all-black high school rowing team.

Row New York gives people access to a world that's been denied to them for far too long. NYC kids are taught to row and, if necessary, swim—not to mention the help they provide with school and college entry. It's an amazing organization that breaks down the barriers of the elite world of rowing and teaches kids early on that they can be successful with hard work and, in this case, just a little bit of a push. This all sounds a bit cliché, but it's true.