The Hawksbill Sea Turtle and the Sumatran Tiger are endangered in the wild, but they are rising in popularity on T-shirts in Minnesota.

St. Thomas junior Katherine Bernal is doing her part to protect endangered animals with a T-shirt business she started Nov. 1. Local artists created the animal-centric designs, and Bernal donates 10 percent of sales to Panthera, an anti-poaching organization, and Sea Turtle Conservancy.

The company is called Regain Hope for Endangered Animals.

“Our main focus is raising awareness and raising money so that these animals can be helped out,” Bernal said.

Bernal has been working on putting this business together for over a year. She was able to officially launch the business on Nov. 1.

“It came from an idea last year during the school year when I was reading an article about the northern white rhino in Africa. I was reading about how they are pretty much going extinct,” Bernal said. “I (thought) something needs to change; these animals need a voice.”

Bernal started the company with some help from business advisers and support from friends and family, she but is the sole person running RHEA.

A unique aspect of Bernal’s business is the donations her company will be making to help endangered species. Bernal is currently donating 10 percent of the company’s profits twice a year, once in December and once in June.

“I originally wanted to donate 50 percent to animals, and my mom (said I) can’t do that initially,” Bernal said. “I do want to eventually donate 50 percent of sales. I think when I break even — that’s when I can actually try to get a higher goal.”

Right now the company offers two long-sleeved T-shirts to choose from. The shirts feature the Hawksbill Sea Turtle and the Sumatran Tiger. The line features 3 different colors: a natural white, a navy blue and a forest green color.

“The shirts all very natural, earthy colors which goes along with what I wanted, they are 100 percent organic, and organic cotton, so they are fair-trade certified,” Bernal said. “The dyes are all-natural too, so it is good for not only the environment but humans and animals as well.”

Bernal decided to start with two animal-centric T-shirt designs but is hoping to continue to expand her business.

“I also want to bring in other products too, so as I get more different things, I can donate to more organizations and then be able to donate more money,” Bernal said.

Being a college student while starting a business can be time-consuming. Bernal has already started to experience some of these challenges.

“One of the hardest parts has been getting customers and raising awareness about what we do,” Bernal said. “I thought this was going to be up and running over the summer. That has been a challenge, but now that it’s going, it is going great.”

Bernal hopes that students at St. Thomas and beyond will utilize these shirts as a way to give back and spread awareness about endangered animals.

“I hope to make RHEA a way that people can get involved and get something back too with the shirt,” Bernal said.

Lydia Lockwood can be reached at lock0052@stthomas.edu