Audrey Depenbrok only wants hip, soft, quality T-shirts out of life—along with a way to give back to the world. Depenbrok is the owner and maker at Printed & Proper, a T-shirt company that meets both objectives: dressing the world (and herself) in cool clothing and compassion for worthwhile causes.
"I love graphic tees," said Depenbrok, who was regularly let down by poor-quality T-shirts without a lot of longevity. Her shop is the remedy to that with fun, sassy catch-phrases such as her motherhood shirt that reads: Motherhood. Powered by Love. Fueled by Coffee. Sustained by Wine. That's her life in four lines, and it's the shirt she wears the most.
While she offers the cheeky You Guac My World, Nap So Hard and Mimosas Made Me Do It tees, there are also the Printed with Purpose selections. "I felt a strong pull to do something that can provide for my family, but at the same time give back to others. I try to instill in my kids that other people have needs bigger than your own."
Her Just Breathe shirt raised $400 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the cause. Future collaborations include a T-shirt for Alzheimer's awareness and for domestic violence, as well as Wags 4 Tags—an organization helping to place service dogs with vets suffering from PTSD and depression.
Soon, Facebook and Instagram fans will get the chance to chime in on a cause they are passionate about for another Printed with Purpose tee. "It shows you can work for yourself and also for others."
Custom orders are available, too. Through www.etsy.com/shop/PrintedandProper, Depenbrok offers graphic tees that allow you to display a fun piece of your personality—or send a message about a larger cause that's important to you.
Written by Missy Black, a footwear fanatic, style child and contributing writer for West Michigan Woman magazine.
