Noticing Neighbors Ashley Pinkston, Do Good Co.

At the corner of 18th and Oak, there is a boutique supporting the community in a unique way. Do Good Co. is a nonprofit organization that sells vintage and gently loved clothing, with the proceeds benefiting two local charities: KidsTLC and Wayside Waifs. When a purchase is made in store, the consumer knows they’ve shopped sustainably, and supported the wellbeing of local children and animals. During the month of December, our Noticed Morse Code Bracelets are featured in the boutique for purchase. Our team is thrilled to partner with such an amazing company, and I got the chance to sit down with Ashley Pinkston to talk about the impact of the shop.

Hayley: Can you talk a little bit about the boutique, and share what you all do for the community?

Ashley:

We are a 501c3 nonprofit benefiting two local charities, Wayside Waifs and KidsTLC. KidsTLC helps kids with autism, behavioral issues, and works through any sort of trauma they may have had. They offer both inpatient and outpatient services, and they were first to do this new form of psychotherapy that I really stand behind. As someone who has dealt with their own mental health issues, and also lost a sibling to mental health, I'm very passionate about it. Then Wayside Waifs, they are for our fluffy friends. They have an amazing program that helps dogs who come in and are aggressive, called the NoMoreBullying program. So they all around are just amazing as well.

Hayley:

Wow. I love those specific things about both.

Ashley:

Yeah.

Hayley:

How did your passion for these causes jump to your passion for second-hand, gently loved clothing?

Ashley: So growing up as a kid, I was always into fashion. My dad would always be like: listen, you need to get a job that is more realistic. But fashion was always my passion, and I always loved people. I've always loved connecting with people and hearing their story. So it's just really wild that helping people and the fashion world could combine. I never thought that it would happen in the way that it has. But I show up, the team shows up, and we just keep growing and building. We are so supported by the community.

Hayley: I love that it's secondhand, and gently loved, because of what that means for supporting conscious consumption. You know what I mean?

Ashley: For sure. Another one of our big pillars is sustainability, and we love the vintage aspect of giving another life to pieces. A lot of people are against wearing fur, which is understandable. But if you already have this vintage fur, then we want to honor that animal, and not just throw it away! That’s why I love the vintage aspect. Then with the secondhand side, some of the clothing that comes to us is new with tags, and people just didn't get a chance to wear it.

So I'm like, yes! Let me pass on the goods to someone that will enjoy it.

Hayley:

The fact that you love fashion makes so much sense, because coming in, it’s a gorgeous selection. What goes into that side of it? How do you know? Do you just get a feeling when something's right?

Ashley:

Yeah. So I'm really big into finding pieces that are interesting. We look for unique donations that are well made, I'm really big on that. Then part of it is looking at the fabric, what's it made out of? Is it cotton? Is it silk? Is it a natural fiber? Because those are important things to me personally, and I want people to enjoy the quality when they pick out a piece. Sometimes it's not all like that, but they are still unique.

Hayley:

You mentioned that there has been a lot of community support. Are there any recent stories that come to mind?

Ashley:

On Small Business Saturday, the community really showed up! It’s the best Saturday we've ever had. I was so thankful! Then also with different businesses. We're currently partnering with Feel State. They said that they've seen what we've been doing for the community, and wanted to help, so they're hosting a coat drive for us. We've been doing it for a few days now, and they've gotten seven bags of vintage clothes just from that! So I'm just super excited. I love working with different people in the community.

Hayley:

This is a very broad question. So you can take it wherever you want. How have you seen goodness through your work with the boutique?

Ashley:

Oh, boy. Goodness all around—from our founders, to the people who want to jump on the board, the employees, the people that donate, the people that purchase. It’s just all around.

It's this awesome cycle of people coming together for a common cause, and it's something that we really need right now. There is so much divide in so many different aspects of life, so if I can provide a space where someone can feel that they're making a difference, that's very important to me.

Hayley:

I’d really like to highlight what you're doing this month with the Giving Tree. Can you share about that?

Ashley:

Yeah! The Giving Tree is a chance for someone to come in and purchase an ornament. The ornaments come in various donation amounts for the two different charities. That money then goes directly to materials from their wish list. For example, we have items on the ornaments listed: like dog collars, dog food, things like that for Wayside Waifs. Then for KidsTLC we have craft supplies, money that could go to shoes, and other items for children.

Hayley:

Absolutely. So The Giving Tree is up! People can come and do that this month?

Ashley:

You have until December 24 at 3:00 p.m. to purchase!

The ornament comes with an envelope and a card, so you could also send it to great Aunt Sally out in North Dakota and say: Hey! I bought this in your honor.

Hayley:

That’s a great idea.

Ashley:

Tie it on your own tree, or your grandma's tree, or anyone’s tree. It's spreading kindness in a different way. From $6 to $100, every little bit helps.