I have always dreamt of finding a vocation with a purpose.
When I was a kid, I had a huge binder full of sketches of dresses, shoes, and outfits. With the imagination only a small human can muster, I would lay on the living room floor and design fluffy coats for dogs that protected them from the rain and snow, enormous sun hats to keep the wearer from getting too hot, and full maxi dresses in red plaid with extra large pockets to hold all the things you may need. As I got older, I stopped creating such fantastical designs, but continued with my passion for purposeful design.
My father owned a screen printing business when I was very young. He still has a picture of me sitting on the garage floor, pretending to print by pulling a squeegee across a tiny empty screen. I helped with various aspects of this business until he sold it in 2017. I learned a lot while working for him, and in the jobs I've held since, all in the decorated apparel industry.
In 2019 I started kwindie as a way to bridge the gap between my friends and family, and the quality decorated apparel they needed for their groups and events (a void left when my father's business sold). While I still do these projects, I've found that there is so much more I want to do for the world beyond traditional bulk orders.
The apparel industry is incredibly wasteful.
There aren't a lot of people or companies looking into making things more efficient, as far as I can tell. There isn't much profit in that yet.
That is what I hope to change.
Starting with my Leafe concept, I hope to drive demand for recycled plastic, and give the larger apparel companies a reason to find profit within more sustainable products.
All Leafe items in my shop are at least 40% recycled, and 15% of profits are donated to environmental organizations.
For more details on this, go to: kwindie.com/leafe
I am moving my business to a more sustainable model as a whole, using recycled clothing wherever possible, and the most sustainable option where it isn't. I do still do traditional orders when a customer is more concerned with price than ethics, but I hope to one day not be dependent on those orders and be able to run on a fully sustainable customer base!
All of the products on my shop are made to order, which reduces the potential waste of bulk printing and fulfilment. I believe a slightly longer delivery time is worth the sacrifice, if it means less material enters our landfills.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story! Please take an opportunity to share my shop with your friends, as every sale not only helps my business to grow, but also shows the apparel industry that people want more sustainable options available to all people.
