Friday, June 20, 2008
Two college students started their own green movement by opening an organic clothing store online.
Jack Short and Daniel Lyons, both seniors at the University of Missouri, said they got the idea of starting Factory Green from a study abroad trip to London. Lyons said that in London, being environmentally friendly was already a way of life, and he and Short wanted to bring this lifestyle back to the United States.
Since they were both passionate about fashion, they decided organic clothing was the way to go. Lyons said that their shirts were 100 percent organic and that they were all produced using wind or solar energy. He said the production of their shirts took 90 percent less emissions than what it took to make a regular shirt.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
“We wanted to be an eco-friendly retailer, but at the same time attract a lot of people to the clothes,” Lyons said.
Jake Hammel, a designer for Factory Green and junior at Missouri, said he had met Lyons at another organization before getting involved with Factory Green. Hammel said he designed the shirts based off the message that Factory Green was trying to portray: to promote a green lifestyle and to encourage people to take action.
“I think it will go far and I’m proud to be a part of it,” Hammel said.
Stephanie Burton, a customer and friend to Short and Lyons since her freshman year at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, said she had purchased two shirts already. Burton said she thought Factory Green’s merchandise would appeal to students at all universities including KU because it was very affordable.
“We wanted to create a green outlet for the youth generation that was affordable and eco-friendly for everyone,” Short said.
Burton said the clothes were not only affordable but cute, soft and comfortable. She said purchasing their merchandise made her feel good because she was supporting a great cause. Burton said she hoped more businesses would see what Short and Lyons were doing and start to adopt the same goals.
Factory Green opened online in late April, and Short and Lyons said they planned on keeping the store just online since it would reach more people globally.
They said it hadn’t been easy starting their own business. They had to research what people would want, research the college market and register for taxes.
Sarah Koci, senior at Missouri and public relations director for Factory Green, said she met Lyons and Short as a freshman on Facebook. She said she heard about what they were doing with Factory Green and said she wanted to help.
“Being a part of this campaign, I can help others and help the world at the same time,” Koci said.
Lyons and Short said they felt they were making small steps in the right direction. They said they hoped their campaign would cause a “trickle down effect.”
Burton said she could easily see Factory Green progressing and expanding. She said she planned to support Short and Lyons in all of their future endeavors.
“I will most definitely be visiting their Web site again and plan on making many future purchases,” Burton said.
For more information visit www.factorygreen.com.
- Edited by Brian Cisler
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