Walnut Way Conservation Corp Announces Launch of Designaway,
a Community-Owned Apparel Printing Business
The organization’s newest social enterprise will create jobs, support partnerships,
and promote community wealth building in the Lindsay Heights community
Milwaukee, WI (April 8, 2021) — With a focus on continuing to address the most pressing economic, environmental, and health-related issues for Milwaukee’s Lindsay Heights community, Walnut Way Conservation Corp. has launched Designaway, a community-owned apparel printing business that will create local jobs, strengthen the economic health, and improve the quality of life for Lindsay Heights residents. The new business is located in Walnut Way’s newly-remodeled Innovation & Wellness Commons, located at N. 16th and W. North Ave.
The Designaway platform was inspired by Milwaukee’s burgeoning creative economy. Many gig entrepreneurs and people with side hustles often have less access to the tools and resources needed to fully leverage their gifts and talents. Individual entrepreneurs would not be able to afford the high cost of printing equipment on their own. Designaway makes it easy for creatives to access these resources to catalyze their own economic mobility, offering a way to use the equipment collectively and share their gifts with the community.
Designaway’s printing services consist of two offerings. Individuals or organizations can design their own apparel by choosing a style, uploading a logo or a piece of digital artwork, and placing an order directly from the website. The company prints both single and bulk orders, which means there aren’t minimum orders.
For individuals and organizations looking to sell their own merchandise – either for temporary fundraising or additional revenue, Designaway offers the opportunity to create individual e-commerce sites hosted through the company’s platform. For these sites, Designaway takes care of all design and e-commerce needs for the customer, including printing, packaging, and shipping. Currently, Designaway has created and services the apparel e-commerce sites for over 20 artists, fundraisers, and organizations.
“We believe building wealth in our community — by the community — can create systemic change,” says Antonio Butts, Executive Director of Walnut Way. “The Wellness Commons was an intentional investment into that belief, and Designaway helps us to continue that work. We’re committed to keeping revenue, employment, and economic opportunities within Lindsay Heights at the same time we’re offering competitive pricing, high-quality garments, and state-of-the-art printing services. Designaway makes it possible to purchase purposefully.”
To learn more about Designaway, visit https://designaway.org/
###
About Walnut Way Conservation Corps.
About Walnut Way Walnut Way Conservation Corp. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit neighborhood organization founded in 2000 by Lindsay Heights residents to reclaim and redevelop the economic health and vitality of their community. In the years since, Walnut Way and its partners have rolled out a series of successful and innovative programs and initiatives addressing the neighborhood’s most pressing economic, environmental, and health issues. The Walnut Way Center is located in a carefully renovated, formally infamous drug house. Understanding the importance of valuing place, residents restored this 1910 house, slated for demolition, into an active center where youth, families, elders, homeowners, and renters participate in community development. Learn more at www.walnutway.org.
