A Little Story About Jan and Jul
Brought to you by: https://janandjul.com/our-story/
Meet Florence, Our Founder
“Growing up playing in the dirt, I’ve always believed in the power and magic of getting little ones out into nature.”
Florence grew up in rural China, where she learned to hand spin, dye, knit, and sew the family’s clothing alongside her mother. She later immigrated to the U.S. on a scholarship to study engineering, eventually earning two patents under her name. But Florence’s journey came full circle when she began sewing for her two daughters. Her idea of the Grow-With-Me® adjustable sun hat took off, and Jan & Jul was born.
Jan & Jul – An Engineering Company?
Jan & Jul is where the ingenuity of engineering meets the lived experiences of motherhood. When asked about the secret to her innovative designs, Florence says, “Jan & Jul is a bit of an engineering company. A lot of nerdy people work here,” she laughs. “We approach designing a new product like an engineering project. We want to get every little detail right.”
Ethical Production
Florence saw firsthand how difficult life was for women in her village. That is why Jan & Jul proudly supports women in China with fair wages and a positive work environment. Our production team operates in Florence’s hometown of Nanjing, China, under the management of Florence’s sister, Mei.
“Our strength is being vertically integrated,” says Florence. “Working so closely together is how we keep bringing these new ideas to life and improving our designs every season.” Jan & Jul’s collaborative spirit also extends into our communities. “We partner with many families across Canada and the U.S. to test our products, ranging from fans whose kids grew up wearing Jan & Jul to brand new parents outfitting their newborns.”
Giving Back
At Jan & Jul, giving back locally and worldwide is always a priority. From donating gear to supporting fundraising initiatives, we’re always looking for meaningful ways to help families and communities thrive. We’re proud to have supported organizations such as SickKids, Mamas for Mamas, and Down Syndrome BC, as well as many schools, children’s centres, shelters, libraries, and more.
We maintain deep connections with our local communities and stand ready to help in times of need. In 2021 alone, we donated over $20,000 to the Canadian Red Cross as our province battled severe fires and floods. Our desire to help communities led to the creation of our Daycare Fundraising Program, in which we’ve partnered with over 50 schools to raise funds while parents get the gear they need.
Mittens for a Cause
Every holiday season, we run our “Mittens for a Cause” campaign to raise funds for a charity. A percentage of sales from every pair of waterproof mittens goes towards feeding people in need. From 2018 to 2024, we donated a total of 77,840 meals to children in need through the World Food Programme. In 2025, we donated the equivalent of 12,005 meals for our local community through the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
Meet Our Team
At Jan & Jul, our story is all about a love for the outdoors and a commitment to helping families explore nature with confidence. Our team is as diverse as the families we serve—customer-focused, nature-loving, sustainability-minded, and committed to inclusivity. Every day, we collaborate to design high-quality, adventure-ready gear that helps families get outside—rain or shine.
From product development to customer service, every team member plays a role in ensuring families can explore with confidence. Whether it’s testing new designs, discovering new ways to be more sustainable, or helping parents choose the perfect gear, we are united by our passion for getting kids outside in comfort and style.
