Who is Janji Running?
Dave Spandorfer and Mike Burnstein are working to change the way people give. With their innovative vision, they have created high performance gear that helps raise awareness and fund relief for global food and water crisis.
// CONNECT
Interested in the ideas of Janji Running or looking to hear more from Mike and Dave? email mike@runjanji.com / dave@runjanji.com
// INTERVIEW
What does Janji mean?
Janji means “promise” in Malay.
The Janji team on taking their idea from a bus ride dream to a reality…
It was a very long process from that point to where we are no, two years later. After we came up with this idea, on the bus, we presented this idea to the business school at Washington University. We were lucky enough to win two business planning competitions. That allowed us to get the funding and gain the confidence to really make this thing happen.
The Janji team on collaboration…
It’s almost impossible for a single person to have everything necessary to take an idea and bring it to complete fruition, especially if it’s something as complicated as a company or organization. If you are able to shape an idea with the inputs and opinions of a group it’s going to end up being a greater product than if it was just yours alone. It’s really important to talk about the idea and spread it. The whole point of Janji is to connect people around the country to give back. We might have come up with this idea, but it has taken a whole team of people who are really devoted to exactly what we’re doing: changing the world through running.
The Janji team on spreading their vision…
Our goal is to get everyone runner to be able to see Janji, see what Janji can do. We’re working with a runner, from Haiti, who is representing Haiti in the London 2012 Olympics in the 800 meter run. We want to work with him to spread awareness of how Janji gives and also figure out ways for runners in America to give to Haiti and help address this problem of childhood malnutrition.
The Janji team on their initial goals and their future…
We set our sites pretty high from the beginning. We wanted to come in and change the way runners see themselves. While running is seen largely as an individual sport, we wanted to turn it into something else and give something bigger to run for. Everyday when they’re getting out the door in the morning for a run, instead of just their own fitness or their own improvement, we want them to be running for someone else who might need their help. Someone who isn’t as lucky to have basic fundamental nutritional needs taken care of. We see our line expanding to many other countries and helping address their food and water needs.
Collaborators: Max Campbell, Briana Pickens, Sam Shapiro