DREAM BIG (MEETING JOHNNY CUPCAKES)

I know what you're thinking. There's a guy with the last name Cupcakes? Let me clear this up - it's actually pronounced Coupe-kaw-kess, it's Portuguese but spells out cupcakes. Ha, just kidding. In all seriousness, his real name is John Earle. He does, however, run a successful, fun clothing brand that is indeed named Johnny Cupcakes. It is quite amazing from all aspects imaginable. You can read about such features like how his stores are set up like bakeries, or just in general his incredible journey, here.

To give you a little insight to start off with though, soon after the start of his brand, he would sell shirts out of his suitcase while traveling on tour with his band. So, to take it back to his roots, and back to the basics, he decided to tour the country once again offering well-crafted, well-designed, limited-edition , often cupcake-themed shirts out of his suitcases. The first stop he chose was my wonderful (that's the truth - not just my bias speaking) hometown of New York City. I arrived about twenty minutes early to the event to be blown away by the enormous swarm of fans and lengthy lines that stretched from down part of one block to another (insanity pictured below - and apologies for the mediocre photography throughout the post, my camera was acting up a bit). The line would only continue to grow throughout the evening. All to meet Johnny himself (who's only twenty-seven years old, I might add), get a special edition tour shirt or other goods, as well as just to show support for the unique brand.

Waited for a bit. Waited some more. An hour turned to five. Still not in. It took me about five and a half hours in to get into the actual pop-up shop, then about another half hour to buy my shirt and such, as well as then finally proceed to talk to the man of the hour (s).
Two in the morning was the time the clock showed when I got out of the shop, tired and ready to head home.

I know, a bit excessive, perhaps. Perhaps for you all, that is. For me, however, it was more than worth it. Though my legs may argue persistently with me on this matter, I was provided with memories and a night that I surely won't forget.

The talk with Johnny was the most significant occurrence though. After attempting to express in words how big an inspiration he is to me, I gave him my business card and a two-headed duck button. He seemed pretty surprised that I already had a website at only sixteen years of age and was doing all this already. "Most people in their twenties don't even have business cards." We talked more and he said I have a really great start, especially since he only got the idea really at 19 years of age and started to pursue it heavily later on. It wasn't only our conversation that was important, it was getting to meet him after following his work online for a solid amount of time now. To shake his hand and have a real life conversation, really means a lot.

These experiences, people like Johnny, are really a strong part of what keeps pushing me. Johnny is able to live such a fun, positive, memory-filled, successful life; all at the same time while creating something truly timeless.