Company/Brand: Racism SucksFounder(s): Tasha LaRae Conway, Vocalist for the 2x Grammy Award winning music group, Arrested Development.Location: Atlanta, GASpecialty: T-ShirtEstablished: 2014Web: www.yepracismsucks.comSocials: @yepracismsucks Instagram & Twitter Panama: How did you come up with the name and concept for your clothing line? What was the inspiration for this? Tasha LaRae: Well, this is the thing…It didn’t even start…
Spotlight On: Maysa Leak
Everyone close to me knows that my favorite recording group of all time is the jazz/soul group, “Incognito”. I became a fanboy of the group back in 1993 when I first heard the song “Deep Waters” over the radio. The song was led by Incoginto’s front woman, Maysa Leak. Her voice reinforced the fact that…
8 Mistakes To Avoid When Naming Your Business…Maybe 9 Mistakes
When choosing a name for your new company, keep these tips in mind to help you find one that will work now–and in the future. Naming a business is a lot like laying the cornerstone of a building. Once it’s in place, the entire foundation and structure is aligned to that original stone. If it’s…
Spotlight On: Lori Cheek
There was a time when I would be on Twitter all day, every day. Back then I had an action sports clothing brand that I was trying to get off the ground called, Azz Monkey Clothing Carnivale aka Azz Monkey. While we were using the @azzmonkey Twitter handle I had the opportunity to chat it…
An Open Letter To Startups: YOUR BRAND SUCKS
Please don’t be offended, I know you tried. I know you’ve likely poured everything you’ve got into getting your venture off the ground. You’ve missed birthdays, lost friends, and probably haven’t slept more than five hours in as long as you can remember. No one said that you haven’t worked hard, but are you seeing…
Tips For The Entrepreneur
I have had some pretty interesting experiences over the last 20 years. I was never trained as a salesman and pretty much learned on the job. Nothing motivates you to sell like paying a mortgage. My top 3 realizations: 1. If a customer wants to give you money, take it then and there. 2. If…
Spotlight On: Cynthia Kaye McWilliams
Ever so often our paths cross with someone who is quite different from most and immediately you become friends, NOT because of what they do but because of who they are. Most people know that I am not one to be star strucked because I believe that fame is relative. You can be relatively unknown…
The WALMART-ization Of America
Do you purchase the cheapeast products available? Is that the only factor you use to evaluate a particular product? Has everything been commoditized? No probably not, but access to inexpensive smartly designed products can be had at most big box retailers. The combination of market competition and cheap labor rates have effectively produced products that…
Spotlight On: Daphne Wayans
Earlier this summer I had the opportunity to make the acquaintance of a very cool, very fly, Daphne Wayans. I found that she has a strong interest in fashion and had attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Irvine, California. Now, I am not afraid to admit that I’m no classically trained journalist….
The Rebirth Of Bucheimer Leather Goods
Bucheimer (pronounced boo-shimmer) was born in 1884, as the American manufacturer of original designs in leather goods. Bucheimer’s legacy includes leather goods for both personal and commercial use. In the first half of the 20th century, Bucheimer produced small leather goods; including, the first ever chain wallet, also known as the trucker’s wallet. Beginning in…
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Fashion
Trendy clothes are cheaper than ever. That sounds great for the people who buy them, but it’s horrible for the people who make them.
Spotlight On: Pilar Sanders
I’ve been known to keep a list or two, or three. One of my lists is comprised of the people that I would like to do business with at some point. Another list holds the people that I want to meet and just have a general conversation because there is something interesting about them whether…
Apparl’s Corporate Identity Crisis
Coming from the world of Action Sports and Motorsports apparel to founding a tech startup is a bit of a change and a hell of a challenge. For me, the one thing that will never change is having a great brand identity. Building a brand might sometimes call for rebuilding a brand. After conjuring up…
Nexx Unlimited Motorcycle Apparel Company
Company/Brand: Nexx UnlimitedFounder(s): Dan Tibbs Location: Brooklyn, NYSpecialty: Motorcycle ApparelEstablished: 1999www.nexxunlimited.com Panama: Dan, you and I have known each other for damn near close to 20 years. How did you come up with the idea for Nexx Unlimited? What prompted you to start this brand? Dan: My mother moved to New York from North Carolina…
What’s The Big Idea, Apparl?
Last time I checked, the clothing industry is still a multi-trillion dollar industry, annually. It’s a very important part of global commerce. Hell, clothing is 1/3 of your life’s top three essentials next to food and shelter. Add billions to trillions of dollars more to that equation for Apparl’s inclusion of the jewelry, cosmetics and…
Welcome To The Showroom
Welcome to the Apparl blog, “The Showroom”. Creating a company blog is easy. Deciding on what the content will be? Not so easy. There have been many types of blogs that have helped us in the past. There are others that are presently helping us on our road to both personal and business success. The…