Photo:JON WEIAND/SENTINEL
We were approached by Wesley Hobbs, student at St. Francis High School, a little over a month ago. He requested a meeting with Danny Keith, Grind Out Hunger founder, so he could present the idea of a “Only In Santa Cruz” clothing line that would benefit Grind Out Hunger. The two met up at a coffee shop, sat down, and got to business. Danny heard him out, encouraged him to go for it and that once he had product he would put it in his retail store (Santa Cruz Skate and Surf Shop) to sell.
Well a month later…Shirts are printed, brand name is in the process of being trademarked, and Wesley is continuing to move forward full speed. An article was released in the Santa Cruz Sentinel today about Wesley’s project. Be sure to check it out below.
Congrats Wesley and thanks for what you are doing! You are inspiring the youth to take their passions and use them to make a difference.
The shirts are available at Santa Cruz Skate and Surf Shop 912 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. Go pick one up today!
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Only In Santa Cruz T-shirts debut, thanks to 16-year-old entrepreneur Wesley Hobbs
SANTA CRUZ – You’ve probably said or heard someone say: “Only in Santa Cruz.” But did you ever consider taking those four words and turning them into a business that would raise money for charity?
Someone has.
He’s Wesley Hobbs, and he’s just 16.
Danny Keith is carrying the “Only In Santa Cruz” T-shirts and sweatshirts, at his shop, Santa Cruz Skate and Surf, at 912 41st Ave.
Part of the proceeds will go to Grind Out Hunger, a charity founded by Keith in 2003 and a key supporter for Second Harvest Food Bank, where he is chief development and technology officer.
“Danny really inspired him,” said Wesley’s mother, Lori Hobbs.
“I am trying to help a great cause and start my career as an entrepreneur,” Wesley wrote in his marketing appeal to the Sentinel.
Eventually he hopes to have an entire line of merchandise, including posters, hoodies and skateboards.
Keith, 42, who has been honored by the United Way and People Magazine as a community hero, makes the rounds at schools, talking about the growing numbers of people going hungry and asking for support.
Wesley, who is a junior at St. Francis Catholic High School, heard Keith speak at his school three times.
He was moved to get involved as a freshman in the Second Harvest food drives, and began mulling what else he could to help. Being in downtown Santa Cruz is what gave him the idea.
He shared the concept with his theology teacher, John Marheinke.
“He said it was a good idea and go for it,” Wesley said.
About six weeks ago, he sent Keith a Facebook message saying he was ready to go ahead with an Only In Santa Cruz business to help fight hunger.
The message got Keith’s attention.
“Grind Out Hunger has sparked a lot of interest but nobody has done clothing like this,” he said. “It’s cause marketing, a new hybrid kind of business.”
The two met, and Keith shared his business expertise and promised to carry Only In Santa Cruz merchandise in his shop.
He connected Wesley with Shawn Hatjes, the Food Bank’s Grind Out Hunger coordinator, to do the screen printing.
The first order, 50 T-shirts and 25 crewneck sweatshirts, some black, some white, arrived at Santa Cruz Skate and Surf this week. Wesley was there to help unpack and hang them.
The prices: $15 for a T-shirt, and $35 for a sweatshirt.
To finance his startup, Wesley turned to a pair of friendly bankers: his parents.
They put up the cash to buy shirts, pay for screenprinting and apply for a trademark.
“I was supportive,” his mother said. “This is the way he wants to proceed with his life.”
She said they got legal advice about the trademark.
“The lawyer advised him to continue,” she said.
Wesley is posting updates on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Only-In-Santa-Cruz/363268253687873 and waiting for the first sale.
“It’s a cool shirt,” said Chad Edwards, who works next door at Family Cycling Center. “Anything with Santa Cruz sells.”
Photo:JON WEIAND/SENTINEL
You can view the article on the Santa Cruz Sentinel’s Website here: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/business/ci_20082574
