Anyone who’s been reading our blog for a while is well aware of our unwavering support for Chris Guillebeau. The writer and speaker, who’s traveled to over 175 countries, has had a significant influence on our life philosophies that have brought us to where we are today.
So while this certainly isn’t an unbiased review, today we’re joining Chris in announcing the official launch of his second book, The $100 Startup. click to read more
A lot has been going on at {r} — so much so that we didn’t post last week. Kristin has been in Austin (minus a weekend) since the beginning of March, and we’ve been in full-on overdrive.
On the production side of things, we’re still playing the waiting game but it’s getting closer and closer every day. We’ve sent our final round of edits to our sewer and had three of our four samples in our hands last Wednesday.
With a few tweaks, we’ll be in production in the next two weeks! click to read more
In the past month, we’ve announced the idea of our sustainable fashion tour, posted our internship opportunities, and started talking with other sustainable fashion people about collaboration.
We’ve also started to think about other like-minded companies we could offer sponsorship opportunities to. We believe this tour could be a great way to spread the word about sustainable and conscious consumption, even beyond fashion. click to read more
Many of you already know about our plans for a totally insane road trip this summer.
Us, a van/RV full of Versalettes, and a mobile pop-up shop. All so that we can spark conversations about consumption, fashion, and the environment, and spread the word about our mission through the Versalette.
But we can’t do it alone.
We’re looking for two badass interns (can be guys or gals!) to join us, who are going to rock our socks off, and bring a whole lotta’ awesomeness to our road trip. click to read more
We have super-human plans for this summer. Over the past couple months, we’ve let our imaginations run wild and came up with, what we think, could be the coolest {r}evolution apparel adventure yet.
We’re announcing our plans five months in advance because we need your help in spreading the word and finding people who would be interested in joining us. click to read more
SURPRISE!
Many of you have emailed us about missing our Kickstarter campaign and wanting to order a Versalette.
Today we’re answering those requests for Versalette orders by launching a pre-sale opportunity, starting now and running through the end of February.
On Tuesday we wrote about 2011: the good, the bad, and the awesome. We have a lot to work on for the new year, and we wanted to share some of those things today. Some are concrete and others are a bit more vague, but one thing is for sure — 2012 is going to rock.
Here are the general things we’re working on for the next year. We hope this helps anyone else who’s starting a new business, or trying to dominate 2012 as well!
In the past few weeks, our inboxes have been filled with emails from other entrepreneurs, getting ready to Kickstart their own projects.
Now that we’re 250 percent funded, people want to know: What makes a successful Kickstarter? click to read more
Let’s be real, we know impossible.
Sourcing sustainable fabrics. Finding a suitable manufacturer. Designing an entire clothing line without having ever drawn a sketch.
But there’s no one who knows impossible quite like our friend, Joel Runyon. click to read more
Welcome to our new blog! We’ve been spiffing it up over the last few weeks. Still a few kinks (“Older Posts” below isn’t working just yet) but we’re happy to have a permanent place for our blog to call home!)
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By now, most of you know that we were in New York last week and attended the “Future of Fashion” event hosted by Be Social Change New York at Green Spaces NY. This is a re-cap of one of the most refreshing nights we’ve had in a long time. click to read more
At 3pm yesterday, I was hanging out with a good friend on the NYU Law campus. Shannon sent me a text saying, “Call me. ASAP.”
I was worried — we never use the word ASAP in our everyday language. So I called.
“I think we’re getting spammed. There have been a lot of backers just now, and all people we don’t know. Donating really big amounts. This could be really bad. I already emailed the people at Kickstarter.” click to read more
I wouldn’t call either of us spontaneous. Most people will probably disagree, but I’d even be hesitant to call us “risk-takers.” Last week, though, we did something totally out of character.
We booked last minute flights to New York City. And that’s where we are today. click to read more
Via Skype call at 3:46pm Thursday, November 17.
“Okay, I’m going to click ‘launch.’”
“Yeah, okay, just do it.”
“Wait. Are we sure?”
“I don’t know. $20,000 is a lot.”
“I’m going to click it anyway.”
“Just click it.”
“I’m clicking it.”
“I think I’m going to throw up on my keyboard.”
In between photographing, styling, directing and designing, we managed to shoot some video footage of the first {r}evolution apparel photo shoot. Today, we’re sharing a few more glances of our signature piece with the making of our “lifestyle” shoot. Enjoy! {r}
Music credit: “Vagabond” by Wolfmother
Our friend Dave had this idea three years ago. He knew he had to pursue it. He quit his job, and started writing his book four months ago. Four months. And now it’s ready for launch and publication. His story is impressive in many ways; his determination to just do it being one of the most remarkable.
We had a chance to interview Dave about his book, “Lead Without Followers” and really want to thank him for his insight. The book can be found through his website here, and you can read the first chapter for free here. You can also find him on Facebook and Twitter – he’s a pretty cool dude, so we recommend just saying hi!
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Just to start, can you give our blog readers a brief synopsis of your book?
Lead Without Followers is a radical reinterpretation of what it means to be a leader — so much so, that it’s really not about “leadership” at all.
It’s an alternative leadership philosophy that argues that every human being is a leader and can discover their own unique sense of leadership through a series of traits, tools and qualities that we all inherently possess simply in being human. There’s a much bigger picture story behind the book, but that’s just the gist of it :)
Our readership is made up of a mixture of niches: aspiring entrepreneurs, minimalists, eco-friendly fashionistas, our moms… What can these people gain from reading your book?
If you’re concerned about the state of our world, how everyone is impatient and angry with our modern elected leaders, if you want to propel positive change, Lead Without Followers is for you.
What begins with a political, “leadership-y” backdrop quickly escapes those subjects altogether and becomes a very personal, private, intimate examination of leadership on an individual level — a sort of quiet, humble personal leadership that can be felt by everyone in our lives.
In the book, you talk about our “lack-oriented, deficit-minded culture” that’s always searching for more to be happy. Kristin and I have also taken notice of society’s overwhelming “want,” which is why we’ve started raising questions about consumption and minimalism. How do you think society got to this point of always wanting more and how can we collectively change it?
There’s a few reasons! We’re in a competitive, capitalist society. Competition helps ideas surge forth and propels growth, but it’s very easy for competitiveness to seduce us into a constant state of striving, wanting, and thinking that we “need” more. Simple gratitude helps to invert this deficit-mindedness and alter our perspectives about what we want and really need.
Kristin and I are certainly not leaders in the field of fashion… yet. What can we do to lead the crusade against fast fashion more effectively? Especially when the majority of women our age are still slaves to the latest trends and best bargains.
First of all, you two are leaders!
You’re creating a movement, you’re leading by example, you’re taking responsibility. You’re elevating awareness about an issue you care about and that others find important. you’re educating people. And it’s all with the bigger goal of creating your own sustainable fashion line. It doesn’t matter that you haven’t reached that *one* goal yet, because on the way there, you’ve already accomplished a ton. This is what it means to lead without followers.
Continue to lead by example. Share more of your stories, everyday efforts to create change by leading it and living it — even humbly and quietly. You’ll not only get where you are going, but bring more people on board when they see and feel your leadership.
In the book, you say, “Don’t undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible.” There’s no doubt Kristin and I have done that — considering how difficult it’s been to find a manufacturer to take on the challenge of our project. Why do you think it’s important for a project to be “nearly impossible”?
Change is difficult. And the most important ideas that you can stand up for in this life are about changing the ways that people think: to advance new ideas, to propel positive growth, and overturn outdated thinking. Why is this so tough? Firstly, everybody thinks that they want change but nobody wants to change, themselves. Secondly, changing what people believe means changing long-established thinking patterns, old habits, spreading knowledge and education, and defeating excuse-making.
You girls are undertaking an important mission to change the ways that consumers think and behave, which is difficult — but that means it’s worth the mission. It’s no different than what I am doing with Lead Without Followers.
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Congratulations, Dave, on the big launch day. Wishing you and all those leaders out there all the best! {r}
Anyone with an inkling of an entrepreneurial spirit knows that getting a job is like walking into a burning, fiery hell. It’s like caging a bird in a box and only letting him out at lunchtime. It takes you away from what you truly want to be doing: working on your own project, on your own time, to be totally responsible for your own results.
I’ll start at the beginning. I used to freelance for an online company (writing, SEO, web design) 40 hours a week. One day in June, the company went bankrupt and we all lost our jobs.
So I decided to pursue a long-time interest: photography. I did a lot of photo-shoots for free work. A month later, my bank account was looking sadder than ever, and I knew it was time to figure out some sort of supplement.
That’s when I discovered a magical section of Craigslist: Gigs. It has allowed me to set my own schedule, and make money when I need to.
In the past few weeks, I’ve refereed a flip-cup competition for 50 dollars compensation and free beer. I did photo-shoots for a cute newborn, a newly engaged couple, a jewelry line, and an 850-person Microsoft party. I spent two days on the phone, setting appointments in some random home office. I even wrote a few articles for a local art magazine, about polymer clay.
I’m realizing that entrepreneurship is a lifestyle for me. I can’t really imagine a life where I can’t set my own schedule– and can’t sit outside for at least six hours a day. So I’m not going to a fiery hell, or into a lunch-only birdcage.
At the end of the day, what’s important to “project people” isn’t the sad state of their bank account or the loss of luxury items from their grocery bill. Life is more about making time to do the things that inspire, create happiness, and most of all, give a sense of accomplishment. That’s what entrepreneurship (even on Craigslist) is all about. {r}
Photo Credit
I’m guessing that most of you out there have something you really want to do. But you don’t know how. And you don’t even know where to start.
And that’s a discouraging place to be. When you know nothing about nothing, you feel like you’ll never succeed.
Trust us, we know.
But after our trip to Asheville, we realized how important that phase of “knowing nothing” was.
We designed our pieces without knowing the limits of construction, sewing, or the basic fashion “rules.” We had no idea what the laws of fabric were. Or production. We had an imagination that seasoned designers just don’t have – because they know too much.
We realized, as we were working with our pattern and sample maker, that we were attempting to create something that no one has ever created. All because we just didn’t know any better.
So I guess the lesson is short and sweet.
Sometimes, they only way to think outside the box is not to acknowledge it, or what’s inside.
And the fun stuff, for the most part, is outside the box. {r}
Photography by Adeline Nieto
I’m guessing that most of you out there have something you really want to do. But you don’t know how. And you don’t even know where to start.
And that’s a discouraging place to be. When you know nothing about nothing, you feel like you’ll never succeed.
Trust us, we know.
But after our trip to Asheville, we realized how important that phase of “knowing nothing” was.
We designed our pieces without knowing the limits of construction, sewing, or the basic fashion “rules.” We had no idea what the laws of fabric were. Or production. We had an imagination that seasoned designers just don’t have – because they know too much.
We realized, as we were working with our pattern and sample maker, that we were attempting to create something that no one has ever created. All because we just didn’t know any better.
So I guess the lesson is short and sweet.
Sometimes, they only way to think outside the box is not to acknowledge it, or what’s inside.
And the fun stuff, for the most part, is outside the box. {r}
Photography by Adeline Nieto
It’s usually from a co-worker. Or a regular that comes into my bar. But people are usually surprised when they discover “my double life.”
It’s a weird way to live.
Writing blog posts, sending out e-mails, sketching & designing by day. Pouring beer and muddling cocktails by night.
But as we meet other entrepreneurs along this virtual road, we’re realizing that some of our favorite bloggers are living their own double lives for the sake of a long-term goal.
Take Jeannie of Nomadic Chick, for example. She writes about her transition from “cubicle dweller to traveling gypsy” as she grows her online platform into a full-time gig. Or Lauren Rains of The Mad to Live, who does freelance design but was just recently chosen for a sponsored summer roadtrip around the U.S. Or Emily Belyea, who is growing her own web-design business while waitressing at night to pay the bills.
Sometimes it’s the person you’d never expect, quietly plotting from an office cubicle, writing blog posts, checking affiliate marketing sales and calculating how much more money it will take to change his current situation. And then one day, he wishes the company farewell as he starts on a long-awaited journey, towards a business or a trip or just a different way of life.
When all is said and done, my own double life has been a good lesson to reflect on. It’s something along the lines of, “don’t judge a book by its cover.”
Because you never know what else is going on for the kid who makes your latte every morning. Or the waiter at your favorite restaurant. Or the telemarketer on the other side of a phone call.
The same goes for the girl pouring your double vodka soda with extra lime. {r}
Photo credit: Flickriver.com and Salem-News.com
I was recently talking to another young, start-up entrepreneur about why some businesses fail and why others never even get off the ground.
Of course, lack of capital is usually the scapegoat for blame, but in the course of our conversation we came up with another culprit entirely.
It has to do with the fear we’ve talked about in the past. The hesitation. The risk. The safe route that so many of us can’t seem to stray from.
And we eventually came to this conclusion (our words of wisdom, if you will): “It doesn’t need to be sexy. Just make it work.”
So many could-be entrepreneurs let the fluff get in the way. This fluff can come in all different forms: excuses, low self-esteem, the “maybe one day” attitude. Instead of taking a great idea for what is it — a great idea — we focus on what we don’t have.
The details don’t have to be perfect. The concept doesn’t even have to be perfect. The glam of investors, business plans and financial projections should be the after-thought, not the “get up and go.”
A guy named Eric Ries came up with the idea of “minimum viable product.” MVP is basically a market testing strategy used to screen product ideas soon after their generation. In other words, it’s a way to test the success of your ‘great idea’ with early adopters without investing the time and money right away.
The general idea is: get it out there first, and figure it out later. To some extent, that’s exactly what we’ve done with this blog. We’ve pitched our idea to the world, let the feedback flood in, and based our progression on both positive and negative support.
Our MVP has already indicated who we should target, where we’ll see the most success, and how we can improve our product over time. We’ve been testing the waters for six months without really even knowing it.
I had another friend recently tell me about her notebook of “great ideas.” If risk wasn’t a factor, then I have no doubt she’d have already launched five of them. But she has yet to take the plunge.
I wonder if we all used the MVP concept, even at a smaller scale than a blog, would the reduced risk reap more reward? {r}
Sally: Awesome! I submitted my order yesterday :)
Dan P.: Y'all are championistas. So exciting to see this all coming together! ...
Joel: Super proud of you guys! Great great stuff. :)