Project Blank

Towards the end of 2018 Mitch Avakian had an idea while out in the water, surfing at Bungan Beach. With over a decade’s experience working in the surf industry, building up his own business that served as a conduit between surf brands and surf retailers, Mitch was well versed in every element of surfing as a commercial enterprise, fully aware of the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the overall business model.

And much like Archimedes long before him, Avakian’s Eureka moment required immersion in water, and perhaps the sight of a perfect lefthander rolling round the headland may have sparked inspiration too. Unlike Archimedes, Mitch didn’t run naked through the streets expounding his epiphany, he instead rode a gorgeous wave from the shadow of Bungan Castle, past Danga Rock, and all the way to the beach, before racing up the Everest-imitating hill, and straight home to get to work.

“I wanted to set up a new surf & lifestyle company that minimised all the waste components the surf industry had become burdened with,” Mitch says. “I wanted to create products that took advantage of renewable-based sources and weren’t reliant on fossil fuel-based inputs, but I also wanted to sell direct to the consumer, ensure the best quality wetsuits and surf hardware could become far more affordable.”

Project Blank went from idea to reality when Mitch was able to source wetsuits made of plant based and limestone, alternative rubber options, as well as complete all the software hard yakka of getting the distribution channels in place for selling direct to consumer, allowing the wholesale and retail markups to drip from the wetsuit’s final cost and flow into the buyer’s savings. 

“Once I was certain the wetsuits manufactured of renewable products were just as good, if not better than the traditional wetsuits derived from petrochemical-based materials, I had a huge confidence boost. And then, seeing there was real demand for the wetsuits too, was the confirmation we needed.” 

With these crucial factors in place, Mitch took Project Blank further down the sustainable business model path. “Our motto is, ‘The only footprint we want to leave is on the sand.’ So, from our warehouse to your door, every decision we make is made with environment and community in mind.”

Mitch partnered with Ecologi Forests who plant a tree and offset 10kg of carbon with every Project Blank order placed through the site. He teamed up with Seabin, removing 1.2kg of waste from the ocean with every order placed. All Project Blank wetsuits are manufactured in a green facility equipped with solar panels. This generates over 6million kilowatts of energy per year, saving 130,834 trees annually and over 7million kg of Co2 so far. 

All Project Blank packaging is made with plant-based, biodegradable materials which break down in 3-6 months. Keeping your order safe and sound, these bags are securely packaged in recycled cardboard which can be recycled easily from home.

Project Blank has created an “Afterlife Program” whereby customers can return their used wetsuits to be upcycled and recycled into other products, while netting the consumer a discount on their new purchase too. 

In three years, Project Blank has gone from an idea riding a lefthander at Bungan, trapped in Mitch Avakian’s grey matter, to a thriving, sustainable Northern Beaches business.

Head to their website to check out prices and stock: projectblank.com.au