Harrogate pupil launches online business selling T-shirts with ecological slant

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As a Christmas present, 13-year-old Will Johnson’s parents had a number of his artistic creations printed onto T-shirts; but not only that, they set him up in business.

Whilst Will’s eye-catching designs, created over the last couple of years, are currently only available on T-shirts, his ‘Willful Productions’ enterprise is looking to expand the range of products in the coming months.

Ahead of launching the business, Will’s parents Jo and Pete Johnson were keen to partner with an ethical and ecological company to manage the printing, packaging and shipping.

They chose Teemill, a company that uses sustainable materials for its products.

Teemill - which recently ran a Buy One, Get One Tree promotion where for every T-shirt bought, it sponsors the planting of a tree – has also held a series of promotions, including one where it sponsored the removal of plastic waste from the ocean.

Will’s creative streak first began to shine through at the age of just three with him making glittery Christmas cards with his mum at the kitchen table.

Fast forward ten years, and his creative digital projects have evolved and grown into a collection of thought-provoking T-shirts.

One design, the Greta Lisa, takes inspiration from the wisdom of Da Vinci and the activism of Greta Thunberg.

It creates a statement about the climate emergency and if you look closely you'll see Leonardo, too.

And to back up Will’s own ethical and environmental convictions, the product is constructed from 100 per cent organic cotton and printed in the UK in a renewable energy-powered factory.

Will said: “My mum and dad thought it would be a shame for all my hard work to just gather dust, so they took my designs and created the store.

“The rest is up to me with their support, of course, as I can't legally own the business at 13!

"I've set up the social media accounts, and, of course, the designs are my own.

"I have done some commissions as well, and I will be adding more designs and products like hoodies and bags in the next couple of months.”

Ashville College art teacher Tom Drew said: “Will certainly has a very creative streak. He has taken very well to digital art and his designs lend themselves beautifully to adorning the front of T-shirts.

“Will has shown great entrepreneurial skill, organisation and hard work in getting his message out.

"He’s certainly not short of ideas, and, as the weather gets warmer, I’m sure we will see a number of T-shirts being worn by pupils and teachers alike.”

For more information about Ashville College, please visit www.ashville.co.uk

Willful Productions can be found on the following platforms:

Website: https://willful-productions.teemill.com

Facebook account: Willful Productions https://www.facebook.com/willfulproductions

Instagram account: willful_productions

https://www.instagram.com/willful_productions

Twitter account: @WillfulProduct1 https://www.twitter.com/WillfulProduct1

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