In an era of fast fashion, Created with Purpose Co. is building a company that will last. By combining comfort with high-quality clothing, they’ve made an impact in the Christian retail market.
Haley Norris founded Created with Purpose Co. with the mission to share the truth of the gospel. The company believes the most important step anyone can take for their life, and their mental and spiritual well-being, is to surrender their life to Jesus Christ. Starting as a fully online shop, the company opened its first in-person store on Feb. 28 in Manhattan Town Center.
Founded in the winter of 2021, Norris felt a spark from within to create clothing for others to enjoy.
“I wanted something different: apparel that had meaning, that made people pause and think, that left them wondering, ‘What does that mean?’ and sometimes asking,” Norris said. “My desire was to make intentionally designed thought-provoking pieces, and that’s what inspired me to start it all.”
Over the past two years, Norris has participated in downtown farmers markets and hosted pop-ups to increase community knowledge of their business. Opening in Manhattan Town Center is a big step for the company as it’s their first official space.
“A year ago, I had no intention of opening a storefront, and even four months ago, it wasn’t something I had considered at all,” Norris said. “After our pop-up in the mall over December and January, the community’s response completely blew us away. When we saw this suite available, we inquired, prayed about it, said yes and opened our doors a month and a half later.”
(Erica Merz)
The welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of community in Manhattan drew Norris and her husband to create their storefront. Norris believes more people will be able to enjoy Created with Purpose Co. by visiting a brick-and-mortar store.
“A physical location lets people experience the brand in a completely different way,” she said. “They can touch the products, feel the material and see the designs up close. The store also creates a space for real human connection. It gives us the opportunity to plant seeds of truth in the hearts of people who may never have found us online.”
Norris wants to make sure people feel completely welcome when walking into Created with Purpose Co.
“My goal was to create a space where customers linger, explore and feel comfortable asking questions about the Word, Christian living and spiritual growth,” she said. “I also wanted to provide resources for everyone, whether they are new to the faith, curious about what it looks like to walk with the Lord or already passionate about sharing the gospel. From Bibles to study guides, apologetics materials, prayer tools and even resources for children, the store is designed to encourage growth, connection and learning in every season of life.”
The company is relying heavily on social media to get its presence known to the Manhattan community. Norris said community engagement is key to their success, as they would love to see people enjoying the company they have put so much time and dedication into.
“Word of mouth from customers who love the space and our products has been huge, too,” she said. “It’s amazing how quickly excitement spreads when people feel a genuine connection.”
Created with Purpose Co. is excited to see where this new part of life takes their company. To follow their journey, the community can follow them on Instagram and Facebook @Createdwithpurposeco.
