Corner Kids Owner Featured Article via VoyageATL
Today we’d like to introduce you to James Newman.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is James Newman and I’m the owner and operator of Corner Kids Apparel. CKA is a lifestyle clothing brand that represents the necessary change from your comfort zone. We carry all of your apparel needs; shirts, hats, hoodies, and more.
I’m originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, but in the fall of 2013, I set out for a new life and success here in Atlanta, Georgia. I’ve been in business for approximately eight months, and in this short time in business, I’ve made some notable strides. In mid-January, rapper, actor, music mogul, and philanthropist Percy “Master P” Miller reviewed my clothing brand to his over six million followers. Then, in late February, I was featured on the front page of the Douglas County Sentinel Newspaper.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Corner Kids Apparel has been a long time coming. The brand idea has been cultivating since 2016. This being my first business I wanted to make sure I did my due diligence and take care of the business side first. When I say the business side I mean, establishing LLC, business accounts, EIN and trademarks, etc.
Around the time of my first expected launch date of early April 2020, the world was affected by the global pandemic aka Covid -19, which like many other small businesses were heavily affected by this deadly virus. For my first expected launch, I had reserved a space downtown Atlanta, had a DJ, photographers, videographers, etc. The family intended to fly in from various parts of the country, but I had to cancel my plans when “stay-at-home” measures were activated and restrictions were set in place. This time was very difficult for me because the uncertainty worldwide left me uncertain about the launch and livelihood of my small business.
A little over two months later, Atlanta slowly started to open back up. After businesses started opening back up, I felt more comfortable about launching Corner Kids. The official launch date was June 5, 2020. This date followed with so much excitement and pride, as it was my dad’s birthday. My dad passed in 2017; while he could not be with me physically to celebrate my success, I know his spirit will be. Thus, we’ll always be able to celebrate every year.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Corner Kids Apparel?
The message and the mission here at Corner Kids Apparel is to inspire and promote the necessary change from your comfort zone.
The Corner Kids story is my story! I left my comfort zone, which was my hometown, Lincoln, Nebraska. I know what it’s like first hand to feel like you were meant for something bigger than your current situation. I know what it’s like to constantly doubt yourself and your ideas! I know how it feels contemplating that first step into the unknown! I know that it takes a courageous person to do what we do! Come Fly With Us!
What’s next?
We have very ambitious plans here at Corner Kids Apparel. We plan on being a household global lifestyle brand to answer all of your apparel needs. We have a lot of new designs coming and some really cool things planned for our supporters. One of the cool things we have is a program called #IChosetoFly; it’s a program where we celebrate those people like us who chose to fly and leave their own comfort zone.
We recently released our first blog from our “Inside The Corner Blog”: “How did I get Master P To Review Corner Kids?” and we plan on releasing more blogs monthly so our supporters can get an inside look at what we having going on.
Also, I created “Meet The Owner (Series)” or #MTO; it’s a series I created to answer all the questions I get about myself and the brand. I release weekly episodes on my Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel. This really gives my supporters the opportunity to really connect and grow with our brand and take this journey with us.
Link to Article
http://voyageatl.com/interview/meet-james-newman-of-corner-kids-apparel/
