Do you ever stop and wonder, Why am I like I am? It’s a question I ask myself a lot. I’ve got my fair share of quirks, but there’s one that stands out: I’m wired to fix problems.
Now, sometimes this can get me into trouble—like when my wife or daughters share something that’s bothering them. I’ve learned (and sometimes need reminders) to ask whether they want advice or if they just need me to listen. But that problem-solving instinct? It’s also what set me on this wild journey to becoming the founder of an apparel brand.
Let’s pause here for a moment. Picture me: a big, bald guy with a beard, usually dressed like a cartoon character in jeans and a black t-shirt. My background? Engineering and technology—worlds apart from fashion. If you had to bet on the least likely person to start a clothing brand, I’d be high on that list. And yet, here we are.
Why? Because I’m wired the way I am.
A Problem Worth Fixing
It all started in the spring of 2017, on a chilly morning at my daughter’s first-grade soccer game. I was sitting on the sidelines, hands freezing, and wishing I had a better option for staying warm. I love the cozy feel of a pullover hoodie, but I’ve always hated the hassle of pulling it over my head. I wanted a jacket that could zip up and still give me that connected, hoodie-style pocket for my hands.
Sounds simple, right? Well, turns out it didn’t exist.
The more I thought about it, the more I couldn’t let it go. I remember lying awake at night, thinking, Humans have walked on the moon, but I can’t have a jacket that does this? How is that acceptable?
Turning an Idea into Reality
After weeks of wrestling with the problem, I finally had a solution. Now I just needed to make it. This part of the story involves a lot of trial and error: broken zippers, a Dremel rotary tool, epoxy adhesive, and a sewing machine. A couple of months later, I had a working prototype.
I was stunned when a patent search revealed that this hadn’t been done before. So, I took the next step and filed for a utility patent. Fast forward a few years (cue the montage music), and I had not only a fully functional jacket but also an official patent to my name.
That was just the beginning. Getting the patent granted was a milestone, but the real work started after that. There were countless late nights and moments of doubt, but the journey has been worth every step.
Embracing Your Quirks
If there’s one thing this experience has taught me, it’s the importance of being yourself—quirks and all. My obsession with fixing problems isn’t always easy, but it’s also what made this journey possible.
Your quirks might just be your superpowers, too. They’re the parts of you that drive you forward, help you navigate challenges, and make you uniquely you. So embrace them. Lean into what makes you, you. You never know where it might take you.
