The inspiration behind Spruce stems from the personal encounters of Justin and Aimee. Over the last six years, Justin observed his two younger sisters receiving clothing from a family friend with two older daughters. The clothes consistently arrived in good condition, with some still having tags. Witnessing his sisters eagerly competing for the bag delivered to their doorstep every month, Justin noted the immense joy their family friend experienced when receiving pictures of the girls wearing her daughter’s clothes. The act of decluttering the daughter’s closet became not only easier but also enjoyable, knowing that the clothes would be beneficial to someone else.

When Aimee was four, her family moved to the US from Beijing. Her life as she knew it was changed forever. She was forced into a new community, having no friends and barely speaking the language. On the first day of kindergarten, she was partnered with a fourth-grade girl, Fiona, who taught Aimee the ways of elementary school and acted as her mentor from kindergarten up to fourth grade, where Aimee was then partnered up with a new kindergartner and taught her what Fiona taught Aimee. Having this personal connection with Fiona instilled a sense of gratitude and joy and it was this experience of hers that drove them to want Spruce to create a connection inside the community.