ST. LOUIS, Mo. - After Mike Burnstein ('12) and Dave Spandorfer's ('11) running careers came to an end at Washington University in St. Louis, the duo founded Janji, an active wear company that goes well beyond the competition field. In a recent TODAY Show feature, the WashU graduates hope to have donated their millionth-dollar to water causes by the end of the year. 

 

Janji was founded in 2012 with a mission "to expand access to clean water around the world." With that in mind, the company vowed to donate 2% of each sale to foster greater access to clean water.  

 

Each season, the company partners with an organization to work towards clean water. Janji has water partners that include Kenya, Peru, Nepal, Uganda, Bolivia, Cambodia, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, South India, Texas, and Indonesia. Janji's current partners are the French West Indies and Japan. 

 
At first, Janji's main focus was to develop a better running shoe. However, the duo has now expanded to responsible and sustainable active wear. Janji is "committed to working with manufacturing partners that have a proven track record of both ethical practices and technical ability." Each new clothing line hones in on one region, "featuring designs of local artists." 

In hopes of limiting waste, Janji is known for producing small, limited-run lines to cut back on potential landfill harm. The company has a five-year guarantee that ensures each Janji product will last a minimum of five years. Janji utilizes a bio-related enhanced synthetic for shirts that will allow the product to decompose in under four years, not 400.  

When asked about how the duo got the idea for Janji, the business partners responded with: "the idea for Janji came on the bus ride to the DIII Track and Field Championship meet where the two of us were representing WashU in the 10k and the 5k," said Spandorfer. "We wanted to create a running apparel brand that didn't just stand for running fast and winning races. Those were elements of running that, of course, we loved, but we more deeply appreciated what running gave to us as WashU runners: connections to friends, exploration of the city around us, and the ability to have the personal growth and change that comes from running. At that track meet, which was an insanely hot day in Cleveland, we crystalized the idea of giving water back with every single item sold. Running and water, after all, are inextricably linked." 

 

Furthermore, Mike and Dave reflected on the impact that their time at WashU meant to them. "If we weren't student-athletes at WashU, there would be no Janji. For one, it was on a WashU bus where we came up with the idea. It's where we met each other. It's where we saw the impact of running," exclaimed the duo. 

  

"But as students of WashU, we also were able to take accounting classes, management classes, and entrepreneurship classes, the last of which was instrumental in getting Janji started. We also applied for a WashU social entrepreneurship contest called the YSEIC, which gave us $25k to start Janji." 

To this day, Mike and Dave's connection to WashU is as strong as ever. "We still lean on the mentors we made through WashU and the earliest supporters who came through the WashU network. Those connections, lessons, and learnings are still impacting our day-to-day 11 years later." 

Janji, poised with the tools for success down the road, have big aspirations for the company. "We feel super lucky to have already accomplished so much at Janji—by the end of the year we'll have raised more than $1 million toward clean water causes. But we think the potential for Janji can be enormous, not just in running, but in other sports as well. After all, why hasn't there been more mission-driven athletic brands, even though anyone who plays sports knows that it's an incredible tool for connection and change? This space is big and growing. We're excited for its long-term potential in running and beyond."  

With deep roots in the WashU community, Mike and Dave were asked what they would tell someone who is in college now, specifically WashU, that wants to do something impactful in the world.  

"There are so many ways to make an impact in something mission-driven, whether it's as an ER doctor or an immigration attorney," said Dave. "For entrepreneurship, I think WashU has done a fabulous job helping entrepreneurs start mission-driven brands. Through WashU and the Skandalaris Entrepreneurship Center, we had many WashU employees help connect us to the St. Louis community, whether it was the owner of local running stores or the founder of Build-a-Bear. If you want to start something meaningful, use the Skandalaris Center. They're the best at what they do." 

  

"I'd [Dave] also say the best time to learn about being a mission-driven entrepreneur is when you're in college. Use your @wustl.edu email and tell people you're a student—alumni to top professionals will fall over themselves to help you. Once you graduate and lose your student status though, those doors don't swing open quite so easily."  \

Janji goes beyond the four-years they both spent on the WashU campus. "We wouldn't be here without the help of our friends, teammates, and professors at WashU. Stay in touch with them after you graduate. Whether it's getting a job or learning a demanding new skill, the real connections you build in St. Louis will help you no matter where your post-collegiate adventures take you."  

To learn more about Janji, their mission/vision, apparel lines, and the co-founders, click here.