Small Business Shopster

This small business feature is about a guy who had an idea that started in his back pocket. Chris Logsdon often carried a red shop rag that always came in handy to wipe things up while exploring on his motorcycle. About five years ago, he went to retrieve his red shop rag like he had many times before, but with that familiar action he had a pivotal moment that sparked an idea. As he laid the shop rag over his arm Chris thought, “This should be made into a shirt.”

Chris has a background in design and branding and a passion for motorcycles. He grew up as an Air Force brat moving every four years and had to adjust each time. That’s just what he needed to do to make this idea into a reality… adjust. He had no background in fashion, but wanted to figure out how to make this idea of a shirt happen. Chris decided to take a fashion class while living in New York City. Along the way, someone suggested he meet Allan Glanfield. Allan moved from Toronto to New York City to pursue a career in accessory design and menswear. Chris said, “Allan was young and creative enough to understand it all when most people in the industry couldn’t. This shirt is a departure to the classic way most brands make a men’s collared shirt.” These two share a commonality in motorcycle culture so they put their brilliant minds and backgrounds together and persevered to find solutions.

They began this long, bumpy journey hitting road blocks along the way. They wanted this Shop Rag Shirt to be made in the good ‘ol US of A. First bump was that they couldn’t buy that material affordably in bulk here in America, only overseas. They were continually told that the rolled, overlocking edge found on every shop rag had no place on a classic men’s shirt.  Also, Chris needed to find a way to strengthen the weave because for those of you who have used a shop rag you know it thins over time.

Chris stumbled upon some of our country’s great manufacturing history while trekking up to Fall River, MA on his motorcycle. He said looking at those historic, once thriving manufacturing towns was kind of sad because they’re almost like ghost towns now. In the 1800’s those areas were booming with jobs. Now, sadly, most of these kind of jobs have moved overseas. Making products in America is definitely not an easy, affordable task.

One manufacturing company that has survived since 1838 was just what Chris and Allan needed to create the rolled-over edging. Chris was told that edging was called a “Merrowed edge.” After much research he discovered The Merrow Sewing Machine Co. in Fall River, MA, which was the very place that manufactures the machines that produce that specific stitch. Chris reached out to 6th generation owner, Charlie Merrow, who graciously donated an over-locking edge machine (MG-3DR) to do the job. If you want to read about some neat manufacturing history check this out: http://www.merrow.com/nhp1.php

The resources that create such detail span three states and are pretty impressive. The 100% cotton Osnaburg fabric comes from a mill in South Carolina, which tripled the weave strength. It has American made antique brass tack buttons with leather washers as backing from Waterbury, CT. The shirt is stitched on American machines in Fall River, MA. Chris said, “When I put the Shop Rag Shirt on, I get a sense to go to work.” Their website says this shirt “pays homage to the worker in all of us.” A lot of WORK has gone into this one shirt.

Now, I know some of you are thinking this is such a guy product, but I beg to differ. Ladies, don’t think this is just a shirt for manly, motorcycle men. This shirt is a staple like jeans and only gets better with time. I picture all kinds of women wearing this too, even stay-at-home moms. Spit up? Who cares! Baby food sneezes? No worries! With each wash it only gets softer and acquires more character. So, yeah, you can buy it for your manly man, who just might feel inspired to put on that tool belt and get to that honey-do list, but don’t stop there. Get yourself one too! Men, you no longer have to settle for a little piece of this red rag in your back pocket. You can wrap yourself in red, shop rag radness.

It feels good knowing that you’re getting an American-made product that is carefully put together and not mass produced in China somewhere. You lose a button and no one in China cares. Chris and Allan do care and they’ll be here in AMERICA guaranteeing the shirt they’ve worked so hard to make just right.  Support the dedication of these small business owners who strive to put Made in the USA quality on your back. It costs more to produce products in America, but it’s so worth the price that supports and creates American jobs. They’ve reached their first production round of 100 shirts and have started their next round of up to 500 shirts. So, let’s help these guys with many more rounds to come. According to the Merriam-Webster definition of Godspeed it means “a prosperous journey.” Godspeed, Chris and Allan.

Order yours today at: http://www.godspeedco.com/shop/the-shop-rag-shirt

You have a chance to win the Shop Rag Shirt by following my blog and putting your name in the REPLY (comments) box because I’m unable to see follower names and/or like my Small Business Shopster Facebook  page about GodSpeedCo. Your name will then be entered into the drawing and I will post the winner next Wednesday (Nov. 11th) on my Small Business Shopster Facebook page. Good luck!