A pair of sisters-in-law have found a way to combine two of their favorite things: charitable giving and shopping.
Founded by Farrel and Keri Starker in 2014, Designs that Donate is a for-profit business that offers a variety of accessories and personalized items, from handbags and jewelry to embroidered blankets and bags, with 5 percent of each sale going to charity.
“I think we recognized the fact that people felt really good about shopping and about giving back,” Farrel said.
Since its inception, Designs that Donate has given money to more than 200 charities nationwide.
“People are entering new charities to donate to every day,” Keri said.
The company operates an e-commerce site, allowing shoppers to choose a charity of their choice that will benefit from their purchase. Items available on the store”™s website range from $8 for a phone case to a $4,800 diamond ring.
“It”™s our choice to give back,” said Keri. “People think it”™s a tax deduction, but it”™s our bottom line that”™s affected.”
Gift items are shipped with tags that let the receiver know which charity benefited from their purchase.
“By working with us, they”™re really getting a personal gift on multiple levels,” Farrel said. “It”™s personal that you”™re caring about the charity that”™s important to them, and then they”™re able to select something that we can personalize even further, and we work with them one-on-one to choose a gift.”
The company also travels to trunk shows hosted by a variety of charities in the area, from Breezemont Day Camp in Armonk to Greenwich-based Global Lyme Alliance. During these events, a percentage of the Designs that Donate”™s sales is given to the organization sponsoring the event.
The company also sells their items at private in-home shows and with customers by appointment. Many of these events take place in Farrel”™s home in Purchase, where the store”™s inventory is housed when it is not being transported to a trunk show.
“Good luck in the formal dining room,” Farrel joked.
The idea for the business stemmed from Keri”™s two-decades-long career as a jewelry designer. Keri said she was frequently invited to charitable events as a vendor selling the jewelry she created.
When Farrel and Keri decided to partner to expand the business, “it sort of morphed into Designs That Donate,” Keri said.
Along with Keri”™s creations, the store also offers items the duo have selected from other vendors. The company also works in collaboration with designers to create customized items for their clients.
“In the beginning you hit a bit brick wall when people don”™t know you and you”™re not a brick and mortar store, and they”™re a little confused,” Farrel said.
Because the company does not operate a physical storefront, Farrel said that a lack of overhead helps enable the company to donate to charity.
For Farrel, whose background lies in real estate, owning her own retail company was something she did not foresee for herself, though she”™s not entirely surprised in her new career path.
“It”™s my love of jewelry and my love of Keri and my love of shopping” that led her to partner with Keri on Designs that Donate, she said.
