Studio BV’s pro bono project for Dress for Success involved transforming an RV into a women’s boutique.
Not everyone who needs job interview outfits or career advice can make it to the Dress for Success Twin Cities office in St. Paul, so the nonprofit decided to take its mission—empowering women through employment—on the road. But the organization needed a design partner who could think beyond the typical four walls and turn an RV into a fashion boutique on wheels. Enter Studio BV.
“I needed someone willing to try something that hasn’t been done before,” says Dress for Success Twin Cities CEO Stephanie Silvers. “And that’s where Betsy was willing to lean into that idea—she didn’t need a road map.”
Pro bono work has always been a priority for Betsy Vohs, CEO of Studio BV, which she founded in 2015. The Minneapolis-based design firm is behind dozens of high-profile projects around town, from Digi Internationals sleek headquarters in Hopkins to the inviting art-filled lobby of the Kickernick Building in downtown Minneapolis. Though the company is in high demand for commercial and residential projects, 10 to 15% of Studio BV’s work is on behalf of nonprofit organizations. In 2018, Vohs made it official by creating a pro bono division called Design Forward.
“What we can do is change the scene for [nonprofits] so great people can help others and at the same time be empowered, inspired, and healthy—and just know that they’re worth it,” says Vohs, who believes design should not be considered a luxury.
To date, Design Forward has completed 40 projects, including Neighborhood Development Center’s bright and modern new St. Paul headquarters, which includes a street-level café and store, welcoming work areas for the entrepreneurs it assists, and a rooftop garden. “Betsy is not only an amazing designer and innovator, but she is a person who cares deeply about community and being of service to those less fortunate,” says NDC president and CEO Renay Dossman. “She thought about those we serve every step of the way. The results are something that far exceeded our expectations.”
Pro bono clients are treated the same as any Studio BV client, from an introductory interview to get to know them and their mission, presentation of several design concepts, a work schedule, and a contract. Beyond donating design services, Design Forward partners with colleagues in the industry to secure discounted pricing, donations, and other resources to help reduce project costs.
“Betsy’s ability to see and create a space that makes people feel and be moved is beyond inspiring,” Silvers says. The Dress for Success Express RV features colorful graphics on the exterior; inside, the vehicle is furnished with fitting rooms, generous closets, a coffee bar, and a seating area.
“There’s this intangible thing with design,” Vohs says. “Donors grow, you become more visible, your community and your partners can use it—it’s this compounding effect. When you build something that’s a manifest of this dream to do something great, things change. Design becomes the tool that allows you to do that.”
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