Fall 2025 Thursday Bootcamp 1.0 MindWear Novel Awareness Apparel

Project Owners:

• Jillian Downey (left)
• Piper Stocking (middle)
• Claire Elliott (right)

Our brand, MindWear, is a mental health awareness apparel company that is passionately dedicated to sparking meaningful, real and raw conversations through fashion. Everyone wears clothing pieces each and everyday, so why not make it positive? We believe clothing can be more than just a statement of style - it can be a statement of love, connection, and advocacy. That's why we design clothing with a purpose, weaving powerful and compassionate messages into everyday wear suited for individuals of any age, gender, and community. With a plethora of product, design, and color options, our clothing pieces carry sayings and reminders such as "You Are So Loved" and "Emotions Make Us Human", to uplift, encourage and serve as daily affirmations for everyone. This brand isn't about the money, it's about the impact, influence, and love we curate in our communities. Our mission is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health while creating a supportive community where all individuals feel seen, valued and reminded that they are not alone.

What sets MindWear apart is the heart behind our work. Derived from a high school business class project, MindWear was passionately built from the ground up. Our team is a dedicated female trio that has put their hearts - and minds - into developing this from a project to a brand. After winning 1st place at Lex250's Entrepreneurial Showdown competition hosted by Transylvania University, we decided to take this idea seriously, allowing us to successfully launch our Pre-Sale of our Staple Apparel Collection, consisting of 3 T-shirt designs, 3 hoodie designs, and 2 crew neck designs in multiple different colors. Each piece is designed to feel both wearable and meaningful - clothing that's versatile, stylish and personal. When someone wears a MindWear tee or hoodie, they're not only expressing themselves but also inviting others in for conversation or reflection - normalizing talking about mental health's struggles and strengths. With this recent Pre-Sale launch, we have already seen a ripple effect of this approach: people messaging us to share how impactful and inspiring our brand and apparel pieces are to them, or how they've been able to easily share our messages with their friends and family. That is exactly the power we want to amplify - using fashion as a common catalyst for empathy, love, and change.

However, we don't plan to stop there. With the support of Bootcamp 1.0, we aim to refine our business model and strategies, grow our brand presence, dive deep into marketing our business, create and design more products as well as expand our reach to schools, organizations and communities to not only advance our business but spread the love of MindWear. Our long-term vision is to scale MindWear into a global leading advocacy brand - partnering with mental health nonprofits, donating a portion of profits to support services and resources and creating viral campaigns that promote mental health awareness and education. We know there is a growing demand for purpose-driven businesses, especially among younger generations who truly value authenticity and change. We are ready to turn our momentum into a lasting influence and powerful brand. But we know we can’t do that without the expertise of those who have experienced the excitement and passion of building a brand. The opportunity to learn and grow from Bootcamp 1.0 would be a major stepping stone in the success of MindWear while also preparing our co-owners for the business world. This program would not only help us strengthen our business but allow us to bring more people into a movement for mental health empowerment.

Led by Co-Founders:

Jillian Downey | Frederick Douglass High School | (team leader)

Piper Stocking | Frederick Douglass High School 

Claire Elliott | Frederick Douglass High School 

More about the team:

Jillian Downey - I am a current high school Senior at Frederick Douglass High School of Fayette County Public Schools. However, I am planning on attending the Gatton School of Business at the University of Kentucky after graduating high school. I am heavily involved in different clubs and organizations at my high school including FBLA, NHS, and BETA Club allowing me to develop leadership and collaboration skills. I am employed not only as a co-owner to my business, MindWear, but as an employee in the Food & Beverage department of Greenbrier Golf and Country Club. This position has taught me many important life skills such as time management, communication, adaptability and customer service. I have also been able to utilize these same skills in my co-owner position at MindWear, with the addition of a leadership role.