Episode #79: Resilience in Apparel: Persevering Through Natural Disaster and Finding Another Calling
Date: April 6, 2026
Duration: 33:38
Many apparel decorators face challenges throughout the lifetime of their business that are beyond their control. Events like natural disasters, family emergencies, and others can take a toll not only on owners and employees, but also on the strength of the business itself.
Shane and Erin Lunsford of Grace Apparel Company share the inspiring journey of building a resilient apparel business. When Hurricane Helene upended life and business, they were forced to quickly adjust and find a new way to keep their equipment running. not only did they find a way to reopen Grace Apparel, but they also found another calling during cleanup efforts.
Erin and Shane have spearheaded Misfit Misprints, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing textile waste by recycling and upcycling misprinted and excess garments from the apparel industry and disaster textile donations.
Follow along as the couple shares their story of how they pushed with perseverance and found a way to lift up the community.
Episode Notes and Key Time Stamps
- 01:00 – The origin story of Grace Apparel
- 04:58 – Impact of Hurricane Helene on the business and community
- 11:58 – Current goals and future plans for growth
- 18:00 – Introduction to Misfit Misprints and its mission
- 21:58 – Addressing textile waste and disaster relief challenges
- 26:45 – Scaling and expanding the nonprofit initiative
Listen to Past Episodes
- March 2026: Identifying and Alleviating Digital Printing Bottlenecks
- February 2026: Shop Safety – Protecting Your Shop and Employees
- January 2026: Automation and On-Demand Printing in 2026
- December 2025: Talking Technical Shop with the OGs of DTG
- BONUS Episode: When Reality Hits: One Shop’s Experience Printing for Reality TV
Why Grace Apparel Company Attended PRINTING United Expo 2025
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