Love Everyone, a company owned by Jonathan of Forever The Sickest Kids, is a clothing company with a message. PGR proudly wears and endorses not only their clothing but their message as we as a company do hold the message very highly regarding the music and bands we encounter.
Can you tell us a little bit about how Love Everyone came into existence?
This is a clothing company that Jonathan Cook started. Love Everyone is his personal mantra. He has those words tatooed on his wrists...so that is how we got the name. He wanted to start a clothing line that would send a positive message to kids.
What is your company all about?
We are a "for profit" business, but we do give a portion of the proceeds to charity to help the less fortunate. We want to spread a little love through the company's message and remind kids that in a world so full of competition, negativity, and prejudice....everyone has a basic need to be loved.
How has the brand change from when you first started?
We have added many more shirts and designs.
What were some of the biggest challenges for Love Everyone faced in its early years?
Getting our name out was a challenge, but we managed that by sponsoring bands who have helped send us business.
It is pretty well known that Jonathan who's in Forever The Sickest Kids is the owner of Love Everyone, can you tell us what your relationship to him is?
I am actually his mom...believe it or not! It is just too difficult for him to run the business by himself since he is touring with the band all but about three months out of the year. We also have some others who help us sell and who help us market. We have some great designers, as well.
So the company is a sort of partnership, can you tell us a little about yourself and your role in the company?
I help Jonathan answer his mail and take orders...as well as helping to interface with the bands.
Roughly how many tees has Love Everyone put out since the beginning and which is your favorite?
I would say we have about two dozen different shirts....my personal favorite is still the 3 heart tee which comes in many colors....because it so clearly shows our message.
Can you tell us a bit about your t-shirt making process? How long does it take to make a shirt from designing it to shipping it?
Jonathan is the one who makes the final decision on all the designs. He is very artistic himself. Once we give a design to our printer, we can turn in around in a week or so, sometimes even quicker than that.
I noticed you put your name on everything you do. Do you think this has strengthened your brand and given a face to your clothing company?
Absolutely...we are all about the message.
Where does the inspiration for the majority of your designs come from?
They are all different...they come from the minds of the designers with Jonathan's help.
Has it been hard to keep up with the depands for your products?
The only hard part is that every shirt has to be stocked in all sizes and you never know what size will sell out first or how many to order. It is an educated guess, at best.
How have all the resources offered today such as the website myspace helped your brand?
We could never do this successfully without the internet.
What would you say has lead to the success of Love Everyone?
Our success comes largely from sponsoring great bands that help us spread the message...and having Jonathan as our CEO doesn't hurt. He is EVERYWHERE and although he does not openly promote Love E veryone while on tour, by now, most people know that it is his company....even though he has others who run it for him now.
Has the success and direction of the brand exceeded your expectations?
Jonathan now sees kids wearing the shirts wherever he goes across the country...and the band has covered almost every major city three or four times now.
On your myspace page it says that a portion of the proceeds from shirt sales goes to Blood Water (an organization that helps to provide clean water to people in Africa) Forever The Sickest Kids are heavily involved in it and talked about it at the last concert Vanessa and I went to. When did Love Everyone get involved?
We got involved at the same time.
You sponsor a good amount of bands, does music have a big impact on Love Everyone?
Music is a language all it's own. It speaks when nothing else can. Obviously, Jonathan understands the power of that medium. Kids are very attached to bands and they notice what the bands wear...so YES!
What bands are you currently listening to?
These Kids Wear Crowns...an up and coming band out of Canada....Red Car Wire...We the Kings......Paramore....Secret Handshake.
If you could sponsor one band not on your roster who would it be?
Maybe Miley Cyrus!
What are some goals for your brand in the next 5 years?
We plan to expand into other countries..and add some additional items to our line besides tee shirts and hoodies and wristbands.
What advice can you give others on building a strong clothing brand like Love Everyone?
The customer is always right if there is a problem...customer service, customer service, customer service!
That's 20 questions! Is there anything you'd like to end the interview with?
The bigger volume you can buy...the better, but in the beginning, start with small volume to see what really sells. THEN....you have to market, market, market...and stay in touch with your customers by always having some kind of special offer or sale.
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