Impact
Easy Last-Minute Halloween costumes with a GOEX tee!
Halloween is around the corner, and our blank tees make the perfect canvas for your creative costumes! From group M&Ms to Disney characters, the possibilities are endless with GOEX blanks as your starting point. Why GOEX Blanks for Halloween? Sustainable Costumes: Instead of buying single-use Halloween outfits, transform our high-quality blanks into costumes you can wear again and again. Versatile Options: Choose from our selection of tees, henleys, sweatshirts, and more to create the perfect base for any costume. Ethical Choice: When you purchase GOEX blanks, you're supporting fair trade practices and helping provide dignified employment to vulnerable communities. DIY Halloween Ideas Using GOEX Blanks Family/Group CostumesThese just take a pair of scissors and a safety pin or tape to transform a blank tee into a easy last-minute costume. Coordinate with family or friends using our colorful blanks as the foundation: Classic M&Ms: Each person wears a different colored tee with an "M" added Emoji Collection: Turn basic tees into your favorite emojis Superhero Team: Create matching superhero logos on our premium blanks Individual DIY CostumesOur blanks provide the perfect canvas for creative expression: Skeleton: Draw or iron-on a skeleton design onto a black tee Pumpkin: Transform an orange tee into a jack-o'-lantern Witch/Wizard: Add embellishments to a deep purple or black henley Here are simple instructions for turning GOEX blanks into last-minute Halloween costumes that can be worn again after the holiday: Family/Group Costume Ideas These require minimal supplies - just scissors, safety pins or tape: M&Ms Group Costume Select different colored GOEX tees (one per person) Cut a large white "M" from paper or fabric Attach the "M" to the front of each shirt with safety pins or fabric tape Wear with jeans or leggings Emoji Collection Use yellow tees as the base Draw or attach simple emoji face elements For happy face: attach black felt/paper eyes and smile For heart eyes: attach heart shapes and a smile Superhero Team Choose coordinating colored blanks Create simple superhero emblems from felt or paper Attach to the chest area with safety pins Add capes made from fabric scraps (optional) Individual DIY Costumes Ideal for solo trick-or-treaters or partygoers, these costume ideas offer sustainability. Simply remove the temporary decorations after Halloween and continue wearing your quality GOEX shirts year-round. Skeleton Use a black GOEX tee Create bone designs with white fabric paint or iron-on transfers For temporary version: use white tape or removable fabric chalk Pumpkin Start with an orange tee Cut jack-o'-lantern face from black fabric or paper Attach with temporary adhesive or safety pins Add green fabric at collar for stem (optional) Crayon Group Costume Use different colored GOEX tees to represent various crayon colors Cut cone shapes from construction paper for the "crayon tips" to wear as hats Write the color name vertically down the front of each shirt using fabric markers or iron-on letters After Halloween: Keep the Magic Going Unlike disposable costumes, your GOEX Halloween creation can be: Worn as regular clothing (simply remove temporary decorations) Saved for next year's festivities Repurposed for other themed events This Halloween, make a choice that's good for the planet and good for people. Shop our collection of ethically-made blanks and let your creativity shine while supporting fair trade practices! Ready to start your Halloween DIY project? Browse our collection today and make this Halloween both spooky and meaningful! 🎃
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What is Fair Trade NOT?
It’s Fair Trade Month! During October you’ll see a lot of content from Fair Trade brands talking about the good they do in the world and all the benefits of ethical making. We completely agree with all of the good that Fair Trade Enterprises are doing. This work is incredibly important in showing a better way. But, there’s also a lot of confusion in the market around ethical products so we decided to take a different approach as we begin this month and share what Fair Trade is NOT. Give BacksA lot of companies highlight their charitable giving. You make a purchase and a percentage of the sale is given to a cause. Charitable giving is a great thing and we are all for a culture of generosity. But if that generosity is built on the backs of makers who are not paid fair wages for making the product in the first place, it’s not ethical and definitely not fair trade. And, these give backs are almost always a percentage of profits - given after all other costs and allocations are accounted for. Charitable PromotionsA lot of charitable organizations have stores where you can shop to support the mission. Similarly to Give Backs, just because the end purchase supports charitable work, if the maker wasn’t paid fairly, it’s not fair trade. Buy One, Give OneIf you watch the documentary Poverty, Inc, you saw the story of Toms Shoes unpacked in detail. This is probably the most famous example in modern history. But selling a low end product at a premium in order to give goods away instead of purchasing from local makers is a prime example of the opposite of fair trade. Fair Trade works to uplift communities and build economies through the dignity of work. A Guilt-Driven PurchaseNo fair trade business wants you to buy out of guilt or pity. Our customers are partners in this work of sustaining dignified employment that empowers the maker. We want to provide you with a product you will love facilitating a purchase you will feel great about. When you wear a GOEX tee, we want you to feel great (& comfy!) in it as well as feeling great about it. Only HandicraftsThe origins of fair trade are rooted in the handicrafts industry but in the modern day, there are products available in almost every category. You can find extremely high quality and high design goods in decor, giftables, apparel and more. Dependent on a Consumer PurchaseThis is probably the simplest way to determine if a product is ethical - does the good require a purchase by the consumer? If so, it’s not fair trade! Fair Trade goods care for people and planet throughout the supply chain. By the time the item gets to a store shelf, the good has already occurred. Fair Trade businesses still need consumers to purchase the goods in order to keep the cycle going - a purchase today sets up orders for the makers tomorrow. It’s a powerful, pay-it-forward model. This type of good is always preferable to one that is dependent on low costs up supply chain in order to give charitably at the end if/when a consumer chooses to purchase. To ensure a purchase is ethical, take time to ask questions. Look for marks verifying supply chain standards and educate yourself as to what those marks mean. As always, have a question? Reach out, we’d love to answer it! [email protected]
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GOEX x KC Current: A Winning Partnership
If you haven’t made it to a Kansas City Current game yet, you’re missing out. Not just because The Current is our hometown’s professional women's soccer team that's taking the sports world by storm, AND housed in the world’s first stadium dedicated entirely to women’s sports, but because you could get your own GOEX x KC Current souvenir shirt. As the Current builds their legacy on the field, we're proud to help them build their brand presence off the field through ethically-made, high-quality apparel that fans love to wear. What makes this partnership special is our ability to execute the unique, specialized projects that don't make sense for their traditional licensees. We’ve been able to create some incredible merch; from commemorative concert tees to the first river goal, these threads are truly iconic. Making shirts that ensure the dignity of work is at our core, but it's especially meaningful when these shirts are for fans in our hometown of Kansas City. We take pride in printing tees that commemorate the special moments at CPKC Stadium. When you partner with GOEX, you get more than just high-quality apparel—you become part of a community making a genuine difference! Some of our Teal Time favorites Melissa Etheridge Concert Tees When Melissa Etheridge rocked the stage at CPKC Stadium, KC Current designed some awesome concert tees to mark the occasion. We were thrilled to bring their vision to life, producing these commemorative shirts with quick turnaround, all while keeping our fair trade promise intact. Fans loved getting these free tees as they headed into the show - nothing beats a souvenir that looks cool and does good! Hispanic Heritage Night Celebration Honoring the rich cultural diversity of Kansas City and the soccer community, we produced vibrant Hispanic Heritage Night shirts that celebrated tradition while supporting our mission. These special shirts featured colorful designs created by local Chicano artist Chico Sierra, whose authentic artistic vision brought cultural depth to the project. GOEX executed Sierra's beautiful artwork with precision, paying homage to Hispanic culture while maintaining the comfort and quality GOEX is known for. Championship-Worthy Playoff Sweatshirts When the Current advanced to the playoffs, we custom-made crewneck sweatshirts featuring the Current's artwork. Fans needed a way to show their support while staying warm in fall weather. These sweatshirts became the must-have item for dedicated supporters to cheer on the champions! The River Ball Design: A Kansas City Icon IYKYK. CPKC Stadium—the first ever built specifically for a professional women's sport—sits right on the river. When the first "river goal" happened, it became an iconic moment in sports history. Inspired by the Missouri River that gave the Current its name, the River Ball design has become a beloved symbol for KC Current fans. Our interpretation of this motif on premium apparel demonstrates our ability to transform meaningful brand elements into wearable art. Scoring Points Beyond the Field Every KC Current item produced by GOEX contributes to our mission of providing fair wage employment in Haiti. This partnership doesn't just support a sports team—it helps sustain families and communities through dignified work. For our team members in Haiti and Kansas City, projects like these represent more than just orders to fill—they're opportunities to showcase their craftsmanship on a prominent stage while earning wages that support their families. Get on our roster! Whether you're a professional sports team, a corporate brand, or a small business, the same attention to detail, commitment to quality, and dedication to ethical production applies to every order. What makes this team work? Quick Turn-Around: We kick it into high gear for professional sports teams, meeting tight deadlines and maintaining championship-quality standards. Precise Production: Our Haiti facility passes everything from small specialty batches to large volume orders with the precision of a perfectly placed corner kick. All-Star Versatility: We field everything from simple logos to complex multi-color designs across our roster of diverse apparel types. Ethical Hat Trick: Partners join a meaningful impact story that scores big with today's socially-conscious fans and consumers. When you choose GOEX as your wholesale partner, you're not just getting apparel—you're joining a movement that's changing lives through the power of ethical manufacturing. Contact our wholesale team or get a quote today to discuss your next project and join the growing number of organizations choosing to feel good and do good with GOEX.
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Why Fair Trade Matters: Beyond a Purchase
In an industry where only 2% of 300 million textile workers earn a livable wage, your purchasing decisions have power. At GOEX, we believe fair trade isn't just a verification—it's a commitment to human dignity and environmental responsibility that transforms lives.
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Make-A-Wish® Partners with Kansas City's Own GOEX to Fulfill the Wish of One Very Special Young Woman
The Fair Trade Clothing Company Will Provide Opportunity to Create Her Own Custom T-Shirt Brand On August 28th KANSAS CITY, MO (August 25, 2025) — GOEX Apparel, the sustainable clothing brand powered by GO Project, is thrilled to announce they are working with Make-A-Wish® to fulfill a very special wish on August 28, 2025. The Kansas City-based, people-first company will help one young woman get her wish - to start a custom t-shirt brand. “At GOEX, our motto has always been ‘Feel Good. Do Good.' It is an honor to partner with Make-A-Wish® to fulfill a wish for a very special person,” said Jessica Ray, GOEX President. “This isn’t just about fulfilling one person’s wish, but reminding us all to never stop dreaming.” “Make-A-Wish® is honored to grant Kate’s wish to launch her very own t-shirt business,” said Kelsey Zwick, Senior Wish Specialist at Make-A-Wish® Missouri & Kansas. “Her creativity and determination are inspiring, and wishes like Kate’s remind us how powerful hope can be in helping kids find strength and joy during challenging times.” The GOEX Team will guide her through every step of the process, from education on branding, graphic design, and marketing, to actually printing the original designs. At the end of the visit, they will have the website ready to make her first two designs for sale. Profits for those first two weeks will go directly to Kate, providing her with start-up funding for her new custom t-shirt company. GOEX Apparel is a people-first company that connects customers and makers through a simple tee. Each purchase supports fair-wage jobs that lift workers out of poverty and empower families—especially in Haiti, where one worker typically supports six other family members. GOEX also prioritizes sustainability by using eco-friendly materials and evaluating fabrics annually. As a member of the Fair Trade Federation, B Corp, and other ethical organizations, GOEX is committed to transparency, fair labor, and long-term impact. GO Project is a faith-driven nonprofit dedicated to breaking the orphan cycle through the power of community, commerce, and the love of Jesus. Through its family of preventative platforms - CarePortal, GOEX, and Strong Family - GO Project drives innovation and collective impact to strengthen families worldwide. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, GO Project partners with local churches and communities to create sustainable solutions that prevent family breakdown and empower families to thrive. Make-A-Wish® Missouri & Kansas creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child's wish to life, because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish® is the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, serving children in every community in the United States and in 50 countries worldwide. The local chapter is headquartered in Ballwin, Missouri, and serves all counties in Missouri and Kansas. Since 1983, the local Make-A-Wish® chapter has granted over 10,350 wishes. For more information about Make-A-Wish® Missouri & Kansas and how you can transform lives, one wish at a time, please visit their website (wish.org/mokan) and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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GOEX Partners with CiCLOⓇ Technology to Reduce Microplastic Pollution
We define our tees as ‘A Better Shirt for A Better World.' In each detail, we choose the best for people and the planet – from a low carbon footprint to fair wages to sustainable fabrics and trims. We want to create the absolute best tee on the market. When we learned about CiCLO® Technology, we were using recycled poly in our tri-blend and some fleece. We know CiCLO® Technology represents a major step forward in sustainability and are so excited to introduce this fiber in our line. Environmentally-Friendly Fiber Polyester and nylon break down naturally with CiCLO® Technology, a patented textile ingredient. Integrating CiCLO®'s active ingredients with recycled or virgin polyester or nylon during melt extrusion creates pathways attracting naturally occurring microorganisms. This process leads to the complete decomposition of CiCLO® fibers, leaving only natural elements behind. Prolonged exposure to moisture and microorganisms activates the disintegration process, ensuring fibers and fabrics maintain their durability and performance. Our signature fabrics are knit, dyed and finished in South Carolina using U.S. fibers, supporting the U.S. textile industry and maintaining high standards of quality and consistency. Our original goal of setting a new standard for caring for people through dignified work in Haiti remains at our heart, but manufacturing has diversified to include the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Our customers appreciate that every garment is woven with care for people in the U.S. and in developing economies close to home. While other manufacturers chase the lowest-cost fabrics and labor at the sacrifice of quality and human dignity, GOEX believes there’s a better way and wants to help change perceptions of what a simple tee represents. Reducing Pollution According to research from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, only 2% of those employed in the global apparel industry earn a livable wage. Depending on how far you reach into the supply chain, the industry employs a mind-blowing 100 million to 300 million people. Added to the human rights challenges, the fashion industry is also the planet’s second-largest polluter, just behind oil and gas. Significant microplastic pollution is caused by synthetic fibers that constitute 65% of the global textile market. Up to 18 million microfibers per cycle are released by washing machines. Textiles shed these plastic microfibers during manufacturing, use, and care. Once these microfibers enter the environment, their minuscule size prevents recapture. These microfibers, like most plastics, persist indefinitely unless manufacturers incorporate CiCLO® Technology. While we encourage more restrained approaches to fashion such as purchasing fewer items and wearing them for longer, we all know that the basic tee isn’t going anywhere. It’s the most beloved item in every wardrobe, and studies show we will each get at least two more every year. If our world is going to produce billions of tees each year, we believe those tees should be made in a way that supports people with dignified work and cares for the planet by reducing harmful synthetic textiles that exist in our soil and water forever. This partnership with CiCLO® Technology makes that goal more possible than ever before. When you purchase your next custom apparel from GOEX, you can feel confident you’ll get a quality product crafted in the most conscious way possible.
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GOEX Haiti Grand Opening
GOEX Apparel was born in 2012 from the acknowledgement that all around the world families are breaking down because they do not have the resources to care for their children. These parents make a heartbreaking, conscious decision to give up their children to institutions they believe can better provide for them. In building or supporting orphanages instead of strengthening families, our parent organization was not breaking the orphan cycle but was instead, unknowingly, contributing to it. The good news is that humility is a core value and so we owned and learned from our mistakes. We still invest in care in times of catastrophic family breakdown, and always will, but day in and day out we believe in strengthening families so they can care for their own children with the love and purpose only family can provide. And we are dedicated to living out this mission in the hardest of places and the hardest of times – in refugee camps in Africa and the Middle East, in HIV communities in India and in the gang-ridden neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Even in these places – especially in these places – where families are facing unimaginable challenges, we believe they still have opportunities to flourish when equipped with skills, enveloped by neighbors, and supported by a local church. And so, despite all odds, we are both excited and humbled to update that in July we are creating jobs, fresh and anew, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. We’ve been asked several times if this is a good idea. We believe it’s a great idea. Why? Because people want to come to work now more than ever. In hard or scary places, traditional models of charity, which do not break the orphan cycle and often perpetuate it, are not coming to the rescue. And, realistically, the Haitian people do not want to live that way anyway. They desire the dignity and respect that comes from the work of their own hands to provide for their families and empower them to give back within their communities – they want to be generous to those around them. This is how they define flourishing. Our new GOEX factory stands behind high walls with increased security. We have done all in our power to provide physical safety. But we want to invest in more than the physical safety of our team – we want to invest in their futures. This new factory will also open with a version of Strong Family adapted for the workplace to build redemptive connections that unlock their potential while teaching micro-skills that increase the capacity of our employees to care for their families and hope for the future. We want our team members to build lives and achieve their dreams. We want them to flourish! We know this approach works in Haiti. Even amidst the extreme suffering, our local-church-based Strong Family ministry has flourished. We have grown our work in Haiti, with 928 families (who collectively have 3,248 children) using Strong Family to care for themselves and each other through their own work and connection. One of our core values is Courage. Our team members in Haiti are courageous to the extreme. They inspire us! When times are challenging, we do not run away. We lean in, we support our local leaders, and we move forward with thoughtful, prayerful but courageous moves that support and empower families. Now more than ever, the people of Haiti need this kind of support. Trillions of dollars in aid have not moved the needle. But, we believe, strong, empowered families can make a difference and build a better future. To all of you in the GOEX family who love the people of Haiti, thank you for never shrinking back!
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What is Strong Family?
At GOEX Apparel, our purpose is to sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We sustain those jobs by selling garments. But how do we make sure our employees are truly liberated from poverty and do not remain one medical bill away from everything falling apart? How do we not just pay them fairly but invest in them so their families can truly flourish? The answer is an action-oriented framework that unlocks the God-given potential in children, families, and communities called Strong Family. Keep reading to learn more! Family Breakdown The essential cell of civilization is the family, but they are breaking down all over the world. When families break down, communities break down, societies break down, nations break down. Poverty crushes families, resulting in millions of children suffering and flooding into generationally destructive systems. We believe the best approach to truly solve this crisis must happen at the family level, one at a time, focusing on empowerment and long-term sustainability. The Heart of Poverty Definitions of poverty have largely focused on material and financial stability; however, the more we research, the more we learn that poverty is far more complex and encompasses powerful social and psychological challenges as well. A landmark research project by World Bank called Voices of the Poor captures the core truth: chronic social, economic, and emotional suffering pushes people to the margins of society, causing a devastating loss of self-worth and belonging in the process. Feelings of inferiority and shame ostracize people from community, strip them of their dignity, and cause dangerous isolation. The dispiriting, demoralizing, destabilizing loss of dignity is the very heart of poverty. The Heart of FlourishingCommonly accepted academic definitions of “flourishing” focus on outcomes largely related to material and financial stability. However, when listening to families experiencing poverty in a variety of cultural contexts, we learned their definition of “flourishing” greatly differs from typical outcomes-based definitions. Their responses were remarkably similar and incredibly eye-opening. Families largely define flourishing as the process of helping others in need - serving families in distress - even as they are experiencing need and distress in their own lives. This is how families who have been pushed to the margins define the very heart of their own flourishing. Measuring FlourishingThe Child Status Index (CSI) was developed at Duke University to objectively and holistically assess an individual’s general well-being across 6 domains. It is currently used in 20+ countries and is designed to be accessible across cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. In collaboration with the creators of the CSI, the Strong Family team adapted the assessment to measure human flourishing in children, adults and entire family units across 8 domains. This evaluation provides a baseline measurement of a family’s current vulnerability and tracks their progress toward flourishing. These domains are: Food & Nutrition, Shelter & Care, Protection, Wellness & Health Care, Psychosocial, Education & Skills Training, Spiritual Health, Financial/Economic Literacy. The last several years of results have documented that 96% of participants improve in at least 6 domains and 76% improve in all 8! Where Does the Work Begin? On day one, each family is given their first task – to draw a Dream Board and hang it in the most prominent place in their home. Almost without fail, the first dream they create is about their children – enough money to send their kids to school or to care for their health and provide sufficient meals – little things we often take for granted. Often, for the first time, a child realizes they are their family’s #1 dream! Most Strong Family participants achieve this first dream within 18 months – then they dream bigger adding another and another dream board as they visually track their accomplishments. The Dream Board is not just a fun activity, there is science behind its effectiveness. The part of the brain that controls decision-making (the Limbic Brain) has no capacity for language. However, emotion and decision-making are processed in the same part of the brain and have catalytic influence on one another. Try it yourself! Next time you make a personal goal, don’t just write it down, draw a depiction of your life after achieving that goal and see if it increases your action! This Works! Traditional deficit-based approaches to poverty alleviation rely on outside forces to assess problems and provide solutions. Strong Family focuses on family and community-based solutions built on the leveraging of assets already available. Backed by years of research and science across cultures and agencies, we have witnessed the long term effectiveness of this approach to not just making sure kids have enough to eat but to making sure that families and communities can flourish in the long term without ongoing charitable support. This work restores dignity and empowers families. This is generational change that keeps children out of systems and with families that love them and want to care for them and for their neighbors! Strong Family is active in 6 countries – Haiti, Uganda, Congo, Ethiopia, Lebanon and India - with over 9,800 families currently participating. If you’d like to more information on Strong Family, please email [email protected].
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Soft Shades for Summer
Soft pastel shades, including our newest additions Light Pink and Orange Sorbet are key in 2025’s fashion color palette, especially as we’re now in warmer months. These hues offer a serene and approachable aesthetic that works well across different demographics. This is a shift from the neons we’ve seen the last few years. Why the Trend is Shifting These season, there’s been a noticeable movement away from the bold, high-energy neons and bright colors that dominated fashion, toward more subdued, gentle pastel shades. This shift can be attributed to several factors: Desire for Calm and Comfort: After a period of global uncertainty and high stress, consumers are gravitating toward colors that evoke tranquility, peace, and comfort. Sustainability and Mindful Living: Pastels are often associated with natural and organic aesthetics, aligning with the growing trend toward sustainability and mindful consumption. Digital Fatigue: The saturation of bright, digital colors in online spaces has led to a craving for softer, more soothing visuals in the real world. Seasonal and Cultural Influences: Pastels are perennial favorites for spring and summer, but their popularity is now extending year-round as people seek a sense of renewal and optimism. Styling Pastels To create stylish, balanced outfits with pastels, consider these color pairings: With Neutrals: Pair pastel pink, blue, or lavender with white, beige, or gray for a clean, modern look. With Other Pastels: Mix different pastel shades—such as mint green with soft peach or baby blue with lilac—for a harmonious, playful ensemble. With Earth Tones: Combine pastels with muted browns, taupes, or olive greens for a grounded, nature-inspired outfit. With Dark Accents: Add depth by pairing pastels with black or navy for a sophisticated contrast. With Metallics: Soft pastels look elegant with silver, gold, or rose gold accessories for a touch of glamour. Pastels are for everyone! No matter who you are, the move toward pastels reflects a desire for calm, comfort, and mindful living. Pastels appeal to a wide range of people, from trend-conscious youth to professionals and families, and can be beautifully paired with neutrals, other pastels, earth tones, dark accents, or metallics for versatile, stylish looks.
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