Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Vinson Jr.
Hi Jason, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
The business started as an idea. Growing up and having an entrepreneurial mindset from mowing lawns, shoveling snow, selling snacks in high school. Businesses have always been something that piqued my interest.
The idea of a clothing brand was a joint idea with high school friends brainstorming how we could have something of our own, and apparel was the idea that came about. Struggles of the dynamics of the business started before we could get a name for the brand. In the midst of figuring out the name, they decided as the group that I wasn’t a good fit. Discouraged I went back and talked to my mom about it, and she said, “If you want to do it, let’s do it”.
Still being super young and not having guidance, my mother, Sarah Vinson, took on the role of researching, contacting, and making sure “If I want to do it, let’s do it.” And with that, the right way and a legitimate business.
We printed off our first design that just read the brand name on the front, “BIRDBRAIN.” I remember being super nervous to even tell my friends, peers, family, hell, anyone. Starting something new and taking that risk is the hardest part in the journey. You don’t know how it’s going to be perceived or what the outcome is. You’re just visualizing and dreaming. The first initial thoughts to everyone were mixed. Some liked it, some hated it, and some were confused. But once the shirts sold out and people saw that there was a demand and with that demand, the product was limited, it took off!
I went to selling shirts out of my house to now fulfilling orders before I left to go to school to make sure people could get their Birdbrain Apparel. Slowly but surely word spread out to the other GMC (Greater Miami School’s) and now I’m depriving orders to people I’ve never met after school, it was crazy. My younger brother Troy Vinson was attending Vail, Middletown Middle School, and everyone there started to see this Birdbrain stuff, and now he’s taking orders to school.
We kept coming up with different ideas and keeping to our principles and values that we hold up to today, and that is making products that are sought after and limited, spreading our message, and valuing our customers.
With those principles, it was a perfect combination and a reflection to where the company has grown into now. From selling out of my backpack to opening a kiosk at Middletown Mall to being in a bigger market and opening a kiosk at Liberty Center, Opening a kiosk at Kenwood Mall, and now having our own shop where we share this message and our story to people who not only come in but our customers that shop with us online all across the world. “It’s just a dream until you act upon it.”
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No. Nothing that is great and the visions, when you dream big, is ever going to go smoothly. If you want to be successful, you have to experience failure. There is no way around it at all. But the key is to be consistent and live in the moment, you can’t stress out and dwell, you have to plan and move accordingly because before you know it your problems will start to pile on top of one another.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Birdbrain Apparel?
The biggest takeaway I believe when experiencing our business is the dynamic. I started this when I was 16 years old, and I’m an inspiration to people triple my age. What stopping you from accomplishing your dreams?
The other takeaway is that this is a family-operated business. Each and every individual has a role to make this train running. When you walk in, it’s natural for us to treat you as family with warm and welcoming embrace.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
YouTube and Google starting out helped a lot, but in 2016 there wasn’t a lot of information or clear direction on how to do a lot of things. Now, with the power of TikTok, you can reach so many people, and everyone is open to helping.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopbirdbrain.com
- Instagram: Birdbrainapparel
