Valio Con 2012

Building a Brand: From Passion Project to Full-time Gig

Transcript

2. DESIGNING A BRAND HOW DETAILS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
3. 1. THE STORY OF UGMONK 2. THINGS I’VE LEARNED 3. Q & A
4. THE STORY 2007 • Started designing tshirts in college for competitions sites • Idea to start my own line of shirts 2008 • Graduated college, married my highschool sweetheart, and moved to Vermont • Launched Ugmonk as a creative outlet • Had 200 shirts printed (4 different designs)
7. 2008 • Sold the first 200 shirts in a few months and put all of the money back into the business • Continued building the brand and released new shirts all while working full-time at an agency • My wife and I shipped orders on nights and weekends • Released “And Then I Woke Up” which has become our all time best seller
11. 2009 • Expanded product line • Continued to expand globally. We’ve now shipped to over 58 countries. • 1st Anniversary Limited Edition Tees • Ugmonk Gives Back charity drives to help feed orphans
16. 2010 • Decided to make the jump and quit my day job • Hired my mom to handle fulfillment and shipping • Moved back to PA • Turned my parents basement into the Ugmonk warehouse • Expanded product line beyond just tshirts
25. 2011 • Introduced the Premium Line • Released the “Mountains” tee which sold out in 24hrs. • Did shows in Brooklyn, Philly, and San Francisco • 2011 Charity Drive - donated over 5000 meals
40. KEY TAKEAWAYS 6
42. 2 NEVER SETTLE
43. 3 CREATE AN EXPERIENCE
44. 4 DON’T WORRY ABOUT TRENDS
45. 5 GO WITH YOUR GUT
46. 6 BE REMARKABLE
47. Q & A