He first told me about his company one day when a bunch of us were drinking after work. I was drunk and in a rush to finish a drink and go to the next destination (Maybe. . . I was drunk). Anyway, I saved the link in my phone and was gonna give it a looksy the next day while I recovered from my hangover in bed. After I checked it out, it immediately went on the list of awesome things I needed to tell John (My John). It was good. Really good, and I'm not easily impressed.
When I was doing the 25 Gift to Get Him Down Your Chimney Tonight blogs, I wanted to feature Ten Times then, but then I thought this deserves better. A spotlight. So after lots the holiday and getting over a cold, I finally have the time I wanted to dedicate to John and Ten Times. Not only did I want to share this awesome website with all of you, but I wanted you to know the story behind the t-shirt.
Okay, so when did you start Ten Times Clothing Co and what was your inspiration?
For me, I had always been interested in starting a clothing company. I used to design huge shorts and have my mom sew them when that whole trend was going on in skateboarding from 1990-94. I would wear them out and the other guys I skated with started asking me to buy them off me. I sold a few pairs of shorts and never made much out of it. All the way up through high school I would design clothing here and there as I needed with the help of my mom. Jeans, jackets, fleece vests, pretty much anything that I couldn't get in the massive sizes that early 90's skateboarding required. Thinking back now I have to laugh at what we came up with. It was fun though. In 1995 I went off to college and was worried more abut how I could afford the clothing that I was in to, mainly Polo and Nautica stuff that I saw the East Coast hip-hop kids wearing.
Ten Times as an idea started as a joke between my friend Ryan Burgy and myself in 2006 or 2007. I had come back from New York City and we were sitting at Thursday's talking about creating something like the iconic "I Heart NY" shirt I was wearing, but for Akron. We both were talking about how someone had to be tough to come from Ohio and how Ohioans don't get the respect they deserve. At the time I was in love with how well the original Rubber City Clothing Company nailed everything funny about Akron. I thought we could take things a little further. After a lot of beers and going back and forth Ryan stated, "we should just make something that says, FUCK YOU, I'M FROM AKRON!, or something." I laughed at it, thinking about how bold of a statement it was. The only thing at that time that Akron was even somewhat known for was LeBron James.
Not to soon afterward I put up some money and started making buttons and stickers that simply stated, "FUCK YOU, I'M FROM AKRON." I gave them away or sold them at shows that Ryan's band, Sofa King Killer, was playing at. They caught on and people started asking me to make shirts with the saying. I didn't have the time or money to do much else with it, so I put it on the back burner. I didn't think about seriously doing anything with it until I gave Chrissy Hynde of The Pretenders a sticker and she said she loved it. That was October or November and I still was on the fence about putting any money into clothing until New Year's Eve 2008 when a couple of friends cornered me in a garage at a party and started talking about making a company based on the FU design.I didn't believe them at first, but it was something they wanted to put money up for and get started. Reluctantly, I said OK, not wanting complicate things by working with friends. We formed the company with Ryan and 2 other friends, Eric Wagner and Eric Starr. The name "Ten Times" comes from the amount of times Akron mayor Don Plusquellic put "AKRON" on a bridge overlooking OH I-77. Our first release was the FU shirt, The Beard, a shirt mocking the yellow DUI plates that Ohio passes out that simply stated "PRTYPL8", and one with Dee Schneider of Twisted Sister on it. Our two initial investors would leave soon after, not liking my overly controlling leadership style. The rest of us have been at it ever since.
How do you balance your creative energy, running a business, family and work? It's an impressive task.
It's a very hard thing to do, my wife deserves a medal! It kept me sane when I lost my job as a package designer. I had so much to do with the company that I wouldn't let my unemployment get me down. I saw it as fate telling me to get my ass in gear and do something important. At the same time my wife was 4-5 months pregnant and I had to move on it before my daughter came. Now it's a little bit harder to do. I spend a lot of time with my kid, watching her everyday, freelance and work part-time to help out with the bills. Nap time is best time there is. That is usually when I can break out the sketchbook and pencils and start creating new concepts. My partners also keep inventory, draw and do other things related to the company, so its a good business set up.
What programming and software do you use to create your designs?
It usually starts out with a sketchbook and a pencil. From there I'll scan it in to Photoshop or start laying down some type or redrawing in Adobe Illustrator. When the design is finished I'll put it on a shirt template and send it out to my guys to take a look at. We go through what colors to make it and make other design decisions from there.
When the design is finished I'll take it and make separations for the screens and then print it out on shirts on the printing press in my basement. It's great being so integrated, printing everything by hand. We can change our minds quickly if the design doesn't work and it helps keep operating costs way down.
Were you born and raised in Akron?
No. I was born in Fargo, North Dakota and then moved to Akron when I was 5. All the rubber companies were still here. I had a lot of friends whose families worked at those factories and businesses. I moved to Syracuse, NY when I was 13 and then back in 1995, after my dad got transferred. I went to The University of Akron, met my wife and have lived in Akron ever since.
What are your aspirations for your business' future?
TO MAKE IT BIG!?! Whatever that means. When we started I wrote out a five year plan and we have met most every goal I set out for us. Akron has been very good to us. Cleveland and other places in Ohio too, as we expanded into other markets. I would love to see us grow to get beyond being so "local-centric". I feel that the brand has the ability to do so, but we just need to figure out how to balance sticking to our roots and moving forward.
I would also like to see us in our own store at some point. I have always wanted to run my own place and offer something different than what I have seen at the mall, there's so many good small clothing companies out there that few people have ever heard of.
Anything else you want people to know?
Ten Times does custom work. Design and print. Stickers, buttons, hats, shirts, fliers, you name it. If anyone has questions they can contact us at 10xyourcity.com.
And if it's not Santa Clause, Rick Ross or Steve Zissou, who is it?
We get asked that a lot.~
After getting to know about the business, I got even more excited for John. He has a great idea and a great company and needs to be recognized as an amazing local artist. His shirts are perfect for any one with hometown love.
All shirts are 100% cotton. Ten Times also carries stickers, hats, buttons and woman's shirts as well so you can get something nice for yourself or you lady friend, boo mama. Also, all orders come with Ten Times stickers and buttons.
Right now Ten Times is also having a 60% off sale. Yeah, you can't beat the prices. It'll be going on until January 7th, so make your way over to http://10xyourcity.bigcartel.com and pick something up. You can also get Ten Time gear at Revival in Highland Square and Wholly Crafts in Columbus for my Southern Ohioians.
Check out the site and also spread the word, tell your friends and retweet. Thanks for reading. I even appreciate y'all taking the time to read it.
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