An American businessman has just restored everyone's faith in humanity after his kind-hearted deed with a less fortunate man in Nicaragua. Jeffrey Bernhard, a Texas-based fashion designer, who currently lives as a Nicaraguan expatriate, has launched his most recent ad campaign with Mario Icasa Lopez, a well-known resident in the colonial city of León. Mario, however, is no 6-feet tall model. In fact, he's an impoverished man, who can be found outside a catholic church crooning locals and tourists with his enthralling singing voice.
Bernhard established a nice relationship with the underprivileged man about three years ago while jogging. "I ran by him everyday for a very long time. He would pass my leather shop and his knowledge for firearms was extensive. We would talk about rifle models and about the quality of the brands. I still to this day don't know how Mario knows so much about Winchesters," Bernhard said to Latin Times. For the recent campaign of his accessories brand JBernard Designs, Bernhard had the idea to use Mario as his main model. "I thought he would look amazing with a nice haircut and some new clothes," he said, stating that Mario loved the idea and hoped he could do a good job.
Bernhard's selfless act has caused great emotion all over the Central American country. But this isn't the first time that the 43-year-old businessman goes out of his way to help the needy in Nicaragua. In fact, a percentage of his business' proceeds are donated to a local orphanage.
Prior to making León, Nicaragua his new home, Bernhard worked more than a decade on Wall Street in New York as an equities trader specializing in emerging technology stocks. "I worked there for a dozen years and felt like I was just making paper. Money is only paper and I eventually left to start a private label line of soups throughout New England. I sold my company to a Harvard group of investors in 2011 and headed back to school to get my MBA. The school required a semester abroad and I picked Nicaragua. I thought London and China were too saturated," he said, adding that he's lived in the city of León since 2013.
"I fell head over heels in love with Leon. At first I felt it was a chaotic city that had little order but the longer I lived here I realized that everything here runs really smooth. The people are genuine and that's extremely hard to come by. I equate Leon to America back in the better days before we lost sight of socializing and went to social media," he said.
The new life he embarked in Central America, inspired him to launch his own fashion brand, which includes bags, belts, holsters, wallets and other goods made from the finest leather he can source.
"My products are made by hand and we are not here to make money or get rich," he insisted. "We are here to increase the quality of life not just within ourselves but in the community around us. 'Everybody wins' is a common phrase around our place. You might be able to purchase a cheaper leather bag from someone else but buying a bag from us insures that you will touch somebody's life in a positive way."
Bernard does not only dedicate his time to his fashion brand, but also to the children in the orphanage, giving art classes every month. He also sponsors a little league baseball team in León. "I wanted to do everything for my team after I saw the first game. Currently I am working on a deal with another business in Southport, Connecticut to bring bats and balls into Nicaragua and distribute them to the little league teams," he added of his new project for 2016.
Bernhard sells his collection from his home in Nicaragua, but it can also be found online in the official website or at trunk shows in New York City. "My bags can range from $40 to $625. In Nicaragua, I sell the bags for a third of the price that I sell them in New York City."
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