The Savvy Entrepreneur

Bonsai Sunset

Today, one of my students asked me to print out a Johnny Cupcake. I had no idea what it was. I thought it was a band. Turns out, it's a t-shirt company. I just read his twitter bio and it states "Dropped out of school + started a family run, ltd edition multi-million dollar t-shirt brand w/ no start-up loans, education, investors, advertising + wholesale". Wow. Double wow, when I read his story. It was so inspiring and cool, I wanted a Johnny Cupcake t-shirt right then and there. Even more so, I wanted to visit his store, with vintage bakery equipment as display cases.

The first store in Hull, Massachusetts.

I love this shirt, it's cute and with a message.

Reading his story, it seemed things came together at the right time and place. Of course nothing is without it's up and downs, and serious choices to be made, but it almost seems he was meant to do what he's doing. I took a closer look at his prices, t-shirts and designs. I love the cohesiveness of it all! The concept of the cupcake company that doesn't sell cupcakes, but sometimes has free cupcakes with purchase. It's a great business model, so much in fact, he has three (YES THREE) stores!

Entrepreneurs can learn something great from his business model. Of course, you'd have to begin with a concept, a nickname (in his case it was Johnny Cupcake), a niche that needs to be filled, then run with it. Be creative, think outside the box and use your skills! Everyone also needs a support system. Johnny Cupcake was lucky, because his support system also happened to be his family. Make sure you trust the right folks. People you work with have to bring something to the table you are unable to do for yourself. No need for lechers, or folks who don't fully believe in the dream.


Being an entrepreneur has it's ups and downs. It's not about the educational background, or who you know, it's about the ganas you show in the things you do. It's about believing in yourself and those around you, taking chances and being able to understand and see the big and small picture. I love being an entrepreneur, it gives me the freedom to follow my dreams, believe in myself and be creative. Like in Ratatouille, where the chef states, "anyone can cook", I believe that anyone can be an entrepreneur (and artist). Do something you love everyday, don't allow daily struggles get you down, and pray, meditate, relax.

Till next week, see above. =-)

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

The Savvy Entrepreneur

It's awesome how things come into your life at the right time. I have always thought about doing a blog, but never got around to it. Then I joined sf etsy, they needed some bloggers and I took the chance. I didn't get to write a blog last week, and I missed it! Thank you to sf etsy for giving me the chance to do what I love...saying what I want!

I've been blessed with many of these "right time" opportunities. When I accept them, I push forward with vigor. And although those times were tough, and at times I wanted to quit, I didn't, and the rewards were/are life changing.

We recently were offered an opportunity to vend at a really amazing event, in a happening place, with one of our targeted audiences. We cannot pass this opportunity up, no matter what we need to do to make it happen.

Funding, in my experience, is what stops a lot of great things from happening. In the past I've sold my belongings, took on more than one job, and a couple times went without. Now that I'm older, wiser and have more resources, I am able to use my skills and knowledge to make the money I need. Shoot, it's a hustle for sure. I have to be on my game to bring in the money that is needed. When the companies make money, I make money.

A photograph I took for the men's line, Reyes Muertos.

Brining others, of like mind, into the mix can also ease the transitions of small business to big things. Being able to create a small community within a business, to bounce ideas off of, to build with, and most of all, create prosperity for all, is a great idea. With the up coming vending opportunity, our second thought was to involve those already building with us. Creating a collective of like minded artists, who are pushing the limits of what it means to be an artist. We are artists, community workers, entrepreneurs, music lovers and friends. It feels great to have them by our side. Together, we can create movement!

That's what business, and life, should be like...looking forward to what we do with our daily life and surrounding ourselves with those who empower us.

Till next week...take care, love more and remember to breath.

www.twitter.com/Cr84empowerment

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

The Savvy Entrepreneur

Wharf Moon, Santa Cruz, CA.
One of my favorite places is West Cliff in Santa Cruz.
On this night the moon was the closest it's been to the earth.
It happens every 100 years or so.

Last night we went to a Precita Eyes Fundraiser to support the Youth Art Festival this summer. Our folks work/run the organization, and we do what we can to support them and the organization, just like they support us. It's so important to have a strong support system. Without people around to spark the dynamic of encouragement and creativity, running a business successfully can be a challenge.

Savvy entrepreneurs find opportunities everywhere. At the event last night, our very creative spunky friend performed. I didn't know what to expect, but she got up on stage and (pause to clean up some puppy pee) started beat-boxing, then looped it with some melodic words, and the started freestyling! I was blown away! A couple songs later, she sang about empowering women. I thought to myself, I would love her to write a song for Divine Orchid.

New Divine Orchid Maria Felix Tee!

An emcee friend, A1, wrote a song for the men's line, Reyes Muertos (Dead Kings). A1 is someone we met through our folks from Precita Eyes. His raps and beats make you want to bob your head and hear it again! So when we heard the song he made for Reyes Muertos, it got played again, and again! (I'm listening to it now, "...ya'll are not prepared for the rise of the dead kings...".)

Reyes Muertos (Dead Kings) Special Edition Lithograph

We have our first Fall/Winter line coming out soon, so we're in the stages of putting everything together. Our fashion show would be crackin' if we had some live performances! Which would be enhanced only by songs by some dope artists about us and what we represent.

Reyes Muertos (Dead Kings) freshly printed tee



You should always to be looking for opportunities that your friends and family bring. Be positive about what you can create together (and don't get discourage if the entrepreneur drive is not found in people you believe in, but surround yourself with people that can meet or exceed your entrepreneurial drive).

Our friends that we collaborate with have become more than just friends, but our extended family. We can trust their integrity, wisdom, drive and all around good nature. Being with them helps make us better people.

Till next week, remember to live simply, so others may simply live.