VIENNA, VA July 18, 2006 –The Kenyan Collection/JMS Ventures Inc. - The Kenyan Collection introduced a new “Geometrics” line of Kenyan beaded leather collars, adding circles and zig-zag designs in mixed color palettes including a sophisticated rendition of traditional holiday colors.

JMS Ventures, Inc., the small company behind The Kenyan Collection, is asked all the time if they are a non-profit organization because of the company’s mission of providing employment for Kenyan artisans by helping with design and marketing of products. “We don’t seem to fit neatly into one category or the other. We are for profit -- the profit of Kenyans,” explained Joan Schultz, who, with her Kenyan partner Mercy Mahiani, started the collection in 2002 while Joan was living in Kenya.

“People are shopping according to their social values these days and want to know who made the product, and who gets paid. Our purchases can be a powerful way of saying who we are and what is important to us” stated Ms. Schultz noting that many Kenyans live on less than $1,000 a year.

“We contemplated setting up as a non-profit to take advantage of the tax breaks and fund raising opportunities available. But to the Kenyans we represent, that sounded like another way to ask for money or to manage expectations about the products they produce,” Joan stated. “They want to change the image of Kenya as a country with its hand out, one with few real business opportunities”.

Instead, those individuals and community groups JMS Ventures, Inc. represents wanted to offer high quality, desirable products that could compete in the world marketplace, and for which the Kenyans would earn a fair wage. “With those wages they want to put their children back in school, take care of family members; move to a better part of town – you know, the same things you and I like to do: make their own choices, feel independent and productive and able to contribute to their community.”

Unlike many non-profits, JMS Ventures, Inc. is self financing and focused on longer term change driven by the Kenyans themselves. “More than ever we see that stability and well-being in one part of the world affects events across the globe. Creating opportunities and economic stability in developing countries where there are few social safety nets increases hope for a better future for humankind. This venture brings interest in Kenya and its culture, employs Americans directly and indirectly and provides a product that allows us to adorn our pets that bring joy, better health and service to our lives”. JMS Ventures Inc. also regularly donates collars to rescue and service companion organizations for fund raising or to bring attention to a special adoptable pet.

“We don’t want your donations” explains Ms. Schultz, “what we want is for you to feel good about every aspect of your purchase from The Kenyan Collection, especially knowing that your money goes a long way in influencing the lives of others.”

About JMS Ventures, Inc:
Joan Schultz has lived and/or worked in Africa for over 20 years, part of that for the World Bank but more recently in Kenya starting up The Kenyan Collection with her Kenyan counterpart Mercy Mahiani. In addition to doing marketing for groups already producing high-quality products, JMS Ventures Inc. has also helped Kenyans design other original products. The full range of products and retail stores that carry them can be found at www.thekenyancollection.com or contact Joan Schultz at 703-319-7935.