Passion and Purpose
By Tab M. Miller
People’s passions in life are often rooted in a deep sense of purpose. This is certainly true for the Founder of Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry Company, Curt Coleman. He has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and at the age of thirty, Curt would come up with a profound idea for a new business rooted in a newly found passion for others. Curt and his wife Barbara created a retail business that would not only sell the wares of artisans from developing nations, but also give these artisans the opportunity of earning a living wage that their work and talent merited.
Julie Tharpe
Barbara and Curt Coleman, Natalie Coleman Miller
It all began with a trip to Peru, but this was not a buying trip for that company. In fact, neither Go Fish nor any retail venture, for that matter, was even a consideration until the last day that Curt was in Peru. At that time in his life, Curt had found himself more and more drawn to his faith, and with this new passion came the desire to help others where possible. At the same time, a friend was urging Curt to go on a mission trip to serve the poorest of the poor in Peru.
The mission was an eye-opening experience for Curt, and he knew he would be coming back again to serve the first chance he was afforded. But it was at the end of the trip, when Curt was walking through a market that he believes he was given a vision for a new business, as well as a new way to do business. As he explored the market, Curt had not expected to see that it was the people who had so very little who were making the most beautiful and unique items. Materials that many in our country would just throw away and call garbage were being used to make some of the most beautiful and creative items he had ever seen.
1 of 2
Julie Andrew
Go Fish Fair Trade
2 of 2
Julie Andrew
Go Fish kids clothing
The talents and creativity of the artisans amazed Curt, and he knew that many of them would be able to make a good living in the United States if they just had the opportunity to work here. But for the artists, all they could ever imagine or hope for was to sell enough each day to feed their families. It was walking through that market that gave Curt the idea for Go Fish. He envisioned a business where he could purchase artisans’ goods from all over the world at the prices these artisans were asking, not at prices reached by arguing them down. So that’s what he did.
Thirty years later, Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry Company, with several locations around the Southeast Coastal region, is still purchasing goods from these very same people. These people aren’t looking for handouts, but rather the opportunity to meet the needs of their families and the communities where they live. And since founding Go Fish, Curt and his wife, Barbara, have expanded their community of artists beyond Peru as well, traveling the globe and partnering with talented yet underrepresented artisans in other countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico, and India to name a handful. Daughter Natalie Miller works as a Designer and Buyer for the company.
1 of 2
Julie Andrew
Go Fish Jewelry
2 of 2
Julie Andrew
Go Fish t-shirt line
Over the years, Go Fish has developed its business into six lifestyle stores (two in Georgia and four in Florida) with unique and often one-of-a-kind home furnishings, in addition to their own line of clothing and t-shirts, jewelry, accessories, and much more. Go Fish also carries items made in the USA, which complements their ever-growing line of products from around the globe.
The Coleman family is so thankful to have its home base in St. Simons Island and wants everyone in the community to know how much their support is appreciated. Through your patronage, Go Fish is able to continue to offer opportunities to over 300 families worldwide.
Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry is located at 203 Mallery Street and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. You can also shop online at shopgofish.com. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see new merchandise and learn about sales and store events.
