All it takes is an idea. A simple idea can lead a person to their passion. Taking action on that passion can give someone great success. It all depends on the person's drive. Eddie Zaragoza and Connie Ramos of Tampa, Fla., know all about passion and are learning what it takes to be a business success. In March, the two University of South Florida (USF) students launched an online T-shirt venture called NaimBran Apparel Co.
Zaragoza, 25, is a junior marketing major and his girlfriend Ramos, 24, will graduate in December with a degree in psychology. Although their company is in its beginning stages, Zaragoza and Ramos believe that the right amount of effort and promotion could make NaimBran the next big name in fashion.
The couple plans to upgrade their garment printer soon and eventually hope to open a chain of stores around the country. Zaragoza spoke about his reason for starting a business and why he chose to risk his own credit (about $14,000) to finance the company.
What motivated you to open your own business?
My sister always said that if you gave me a nickel, I'd figure a way to turn it into a dime. Owning a business has been in my blood since I was young. I mowed lawns and even sold cold sodas during the summers to local construction workers in our fast-growing neighborhood, Westchase (in Tampa, Fla.). I've always felt like my ideas weren't heard when I worked for other people and that I wasn't working or expressing myself to my full capacity.
How did you come up with the idea for NaimBran?
This is funny because it all started off as a joke. I was sitting in class with my buddy Pete at USF my first semester back (spring '05) after a year and a half break. I had recently bought some new shoes from Wal-Mart, nothing special (under $20). I didn't even know who made them. I liked them, so I bought them.
Pete noticed my shoes and asked me what brand name they were and I literally had to look at my shoes to tell him since I didn't know. Since the class was super boring, my mind had time to wander and I thought it would be really funny to have Name Brand clothes as a gag. Later on that day when I was talking to another friend of mine, we got pretty excited about [the idea] because it was funny and we thought it could work. That [same] day I changed the spelling from Name Brand to NaimBran to be unique and make people think about it.
How did you raise the money to start your business?
I funded myself instead of being at the mercy of the people who lend money. Even though it may have been a little risky, I decided to do it anyway. I bankrolled all of our setup costs (the garment printing machine, starting inventory, promo items, etc.) on my personal credit card. I think it's worth it because it's positive pressure to perform and holds me more accountable. It was only possible to pay that much money on my personal credit because I have taken superb care of my credit since the day I received my first card back when I was 18.
How's the business doing now?
We have not broken even yet but the planned break even day is the end of 2007. We have very aggressive plans to be at as many events as possible this summer and through the fall so we can have no debt and focus all of our efforts on building NaimBran and providing a unique experience for all those involved; friends, family and customers.
What sets you apart from other T-shirt companies?
We care about the people who care about us and realize that they are why we are in business. We're not in it for the big money. I'd rather focus on creating a new experience instead of just being another T-shirt company. Because, yes, anyone can print shirts, but it takes character and personality to do what we do, build relationships with people. If we do those things, the money will come because we are doing business the right way, with the customer in mind.
For more information, visit www.naimbran.com.
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