Just Breathe UP spreads positivity to essential workers while supporting local businesses

MARQUETTE COUNTY — Missy Cromell and her daughter Ashley Wiegand are both essential workers, Cromell at the Marquette Branch Prison and Wiegand at Meijer. They wanted to find a way to spread some positivity to other essential workers, and support local businesses.

That’s how Just Breathe UP came into existence. They partnered with Marquette apparel business Stampcatz T’s to create these shirts.

“I’m an artist, so I thought, ‘What can we put on apparel that would be eye–catching and fit what’s going on right now?'” explained Cromell. “The symbol itself is Sanskrit for “Just Breathe.'”

The message is to slow down, take a breath, and keep going—a message sure to resonate with many during this pandemic.
For Cromell, the slogan also has a more personal meaning, and it’s part of what inspired this entire project.

“My dad recently passed away, and he had COPD,” Cromell said. “So, ‘Just breathe’ was something I said to him often when we he was having an episode and I had to slow him down a bit and say, ‘Just breathe. Let’s get through this. We’ll be okay. Let’s just get through it together.'”

Proceeds brought in through sales of Just Breathe UP apparel are used to purchase gift certificates to local restaurants. Those certificates are then given to essential workers around the area. You might not be able to see the looks of happiness and gratitude on their faces in this video, but Cromell says people have been very thankful and excited by the surprise.

She hopes this project will inspire people to pause, just breathe, and look for opportunities to help those around them.

“Just take a step back and see what you can do to help someone get through this time,” said Cromell. “And carry it forward for someone else. I hope it inspires people to think before they say something. Just take a moment and see what you can do to help inspire someone.”

To learn more or purchase apparel to support local businesses and essential workers, visit the Just Breathe UP Facebook page.