Like most youth their age, the MacLeod brothers — Jack, 15, and Sean, 12 — are sparse with their words when talking with a mom-type middle-aged reporter.
Unless that is, they are talking about their favourite designs on the umbrellas they sell as part of their Rainy Day Project
"I like the blue sky or the galaxy," said Sean.
"My favourite is the galaxy one," agreed Jack.
The galaxy umbrella is the brothers' most popular seller — the "Automatic Reverse Umbrella" with the galaxy design has stars that spray out from the centre.
Just in time for Valentine's Day, the boys — who were born and raised in Squamish — are selling their unique brollies to make some money but also to help those in need of shelter.
They will donate 10% of their profits to Habitat for Humanity and 5% to the Don Ross Middle School PAC for an undercover outdoor area at the school.
"Because of COVID, you aren't allowed inside at the school [during breaks], and so when it rains, everybody is standing out in the rain. So, this is to help build an undercover area there," said Jack.
Both he and Sean attend Don Ross.
As opposed to something else, the idea to sell umbrellas was practical, as it rains "a bunch," in Squamish, said Jack. But umbrellas are also symbolic of the shelter Habitat for Humanity provides, the boys' mom, Grace MacLeod told The Chief.
"We thought, shelter from the rain for people who buy them and then shelter for people who need homes," she said.
The boys' mom helped with research for the product and ensured that the umbrellas chosen were sturdy enough for Squamish weather.
The brollies also have a unique C-shaped handle that is easier on arthritic hands and allows the user to multi-task.
"You can hang stuff off of it," said Sean.
The brothers are hoping some Squamish clubs will want to sell their umbrellas as their own fundraisers.
This is the first business the boys have ventured into, though Sean tried his hand at making skateboard wax for a time.
The brothers said outside of school and their business, they enjoy skateboarding and mountain biking.
Jack hopes to be an architect when he grows up while Sean is still weighing his options.
For more information on their umbrellas, go to their website.
