About

Embark Ink

What really excites us!

At Embark our goal is to design shirts that transcend mere apparel, serving as a catalyst for dialogue, storytelling, and forging bonds that build stronger communities. We believe every shirt sparks conversations that lead to lasting connections, and connections are the glue that hold our communities together. If you’ve got an idea, we’ll work collaboratively with you to transform your ideas and bring your designs to life, building stronger communities one shirt at a time.

The Embark team takes pride in our business, and our community… and we know you do, too. Let’s work together to print something awesome!

Core Values

Live a quiet life.

CORE VALUE #1

We value the pursuit of a quiet life, focusing on simplicity and authenticity in all that we do. We believe in fostering an environment where humility thrives, allowing us to appreciate the power of leading with grace and embarrassing the beauty of understated achievements.

Mind your business.

CORE VALUE #2

Mindful of our own business, we empower individuals to take ownership of their roles and responsibilities. We prioritize growth and self-reliance recognizing that a strong foundation of self-awareness and accountability is essential for fostering a harmonious and productive community.

Work with your hands.

CORE VALUE #3

Guided by the principle of working with our hands, we celebrate the art of skillful craftsmanship and meaningful collaboration. We hold a deep appreciation for the tangible results of our labor, emphasizing the importance of both creativity and diligent effort in achieving collective success.

Core Values

Live a quiet life.

CORE VALUE #1

We value the pursuit of a quiet life, focusing on simplicity and authenticity in all that we do. We believe in fostering an environment where humility thrives, allowing us to appreciate the power of leading with grace and embarrassing the beauty of understated achievements.

Mind your business.

CORE VALUE #2

Mindful of our own business, we empower individuals to take ownership of their roles and responsibilities. We prioritize growth and self-reliance recognizing that a strong foundation of self-awareness and accountability is essential for fostering a harmonious and productive community.

Work with your hands.

CORE VALUE #3

Guided by the principle of working with our hands, we celebrate the art of skillful craftsmanship and meaningful collaboration. We hold a deep appreciation for the tangible results of our labor, emphasizing the importance of both creativity and diligent effort in achieving collective success.

How We Started

TIMELINE

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During the summer of 2017, Molly Rogalla, Rosie Grover, and Katie New founded Embark Ink LLC. Armed with determination and big aspirations, they set up shop in Katie’s basement, equipped with second-hand gear. Despite their lack of experience in screen printing, they embarked on a journey of self-learning, relying on YouTube tutorials and a process of trial and error to hone their craft.

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Embark Ink emerged victorious in the Warren County Economic Development Grant competition, securing a substantial $4000 prize. This financial boost was wisely invested in upgrading our equipment from a modest 4-color, 1-station press to a more robust 6-color, 4-station press. This pivotal enhancement enabled us to significantly ramp up our production capacity while simultaneously elevating the quality of our prints.

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Embark Ink bids farewell to its basement beginnings at Katie’s residence and takes a significant step forward by transitioning to its inaugural commercial space. Nestled within Pamlea’s Place on Indianola’s vibrant town square, this move situates us right at the core of the community we hold dear. This strategic relocation not only enhances our accessibility but also empowers us to provide even more dedicated and tailored service to our cherished patrons.

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Embark Ink unveiled its retail venture, only to face closure a mere two weeks later as the global pandemic brought the world to a standstill. Despite the challenges that defined the tumultuous year of 2020, our resilience and determination remained unwavering. We pressed forward, navigating through the adversity, and emerged even more robust and resilient than before.

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The barrier between Pamela’s Place and Embark Ink’s retail was dismantled, seamlessly merging our retail spaces into a single, unified store. This strategic move resulted in heightened foot traffic, with Pamela taking on the role of selling our products, thus effectively amplifying the reach of our Indianola spirit wear within the local community.

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Katie and Rosie made the decision to step away from their roles at the company in order to focus on their respective professional positions outside of Embark Ink. As a result of this transition, Molly assumed the role of sole owner of Embark Ink.

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Having outgrown our space at Pamela’s Place, we embarked on a new chapter by relocating. In the spring of 2023, Embark made the strategic move to a more spacious facility on the east side of the square. This shift not only accommodated our expansion needs but also facilitated the transition to automated processes. This pivotal upgrade not only bolstered production rates but also alleviated the physical strain on Molly, who had previously been involved in manual printing efforts.

Current and Future

Embark Ink is poised to introduce two exciting new apparel lines: Freedom Threads, a faith-centered collection aimed at supporting missions and sparking meaningful gospel discussions, and Hometown Collective, a line that captures the youthful nostalgia of our community. These additions complement our ongoing commitment to serving our community through collaborations with organizations, schools, clubs, and businesses.