State of the T-shirt Address
Dear CityLovers,
Favorite photo since I began. Photo by Jordan Lema.
Thank you for your continued support of CityLove Clothing, and thank you to those that also support me personally. I’m reaching an important milestone this January 25th; I will celebrate my 30th birthday. (I started CityLove on July 25, 2007 – my half-birthday – so I could theoretically have a reason to throw a party every six months.) I work full-time as a small business advisor for the state of New York, and CityLove continues to be a small part of my commitment to Buffalo and WNY. I sell a small collection of shirts online at ShopCityLove.com and I do still work with some clients who need custom printing for their business or social group.
I quickly got over any anxiety about this milestone birthday, and am now essentially “announcing” it. This communication strategy is similar to the advice I give to folks in my everyday job. I have a personal milestone to mark, so it is a perfect time for a “State of the T-shirt Address” to update my supportive stakeholders while also welcoming their continued feedback and suggestions. For both gratitude and shameless self-promotion, my t-shirts are on-sale for $19.82, or the year of my birth, for a limited time. It is also important to note that to small businesses testimonials and “fan photos” can became very helpful as brands try to increase exposure. Our CityLoveBuffalo Facebook Page has a photo album of people wearing our clothes in countries all over the world!!
Director Susan McCartney and Tony speaking at "Straight Talk 2011"
My focus right now is to continue the development of my skills as a small business advisor for the New York State Small Business Development Center located at Buffalo State College. I once received guidance from an advisor for my business and now I help entrepreneurs navigate through the various stages of their business planning. Very often, people need basic help getting organized and started. Other times, people need critical assistance to help focus their marketing approach and sales expectations. A special area of expertise for me is internet marketing and social media strategies for business. Most intensely, the other advisors and I help entrepreneus create business plans that will earn them bank lending and/or private investment. When we know dollars are being pumped into the local economy on a new business, we know that we are creating new jobs. It has been a rewarding, and at times, challenging job.
I am not entirely sure what the future holds, but I expect to stay focused on Buffalo. I just may have some designs that need to finally break out of finishing school.
Thanks for reading. Thanks for your support, and thanks for spreading the love.
Happy 2012!
~ Tony
The Beginning: An Idea With No Brakes
A reflection from Tony CityLove:
I am not sure how it became Buffalo shirts. I can remember sitting around with a few friends and doing the occasional “that-would-make-a-cool-shirt” laughing that accompanies young adulthood … and I eventually got the idea to test the waters by doing a small project of shirts for students around the celebrations on the last day of classes at Canisius College. [re: "Quad Party"] The titles were “Quad Party Drinking Team” and “4.0 Student” …. Instant Classics.
Next, I made the decision to “Promote Buffalo Through Art” and make Buffalo shirts because it was the most direct way to provide a “service” to the city … (without sinking on a politician’s ship). We launched with a “Special Preview Party” at Soho on Chippewa (New Theme! #Burgers).
In July 2007, I quit my job working at a very nice restaurant and was now a full-time Buffalo T-shirt salesman. CityLove products were available on “Day 1″ at citylovebuffalo.com, which is now this site’s 2nd domain, and I had to key-in credit card numbers myself. Also, I folded the shirts, printed the receipts, and packed the envelopes. [That hasn't changed even today!]
I knew that I had to get quality pictures of the shirts so we began working with professional photographers and eventually found a great working relationship with fellow Canisius alum Jordan Lema. We were having photo-shoots; we were traveling to see Bills Backers Groups throughout the continental US (re: NYC). Every event, raffle donation, road trip, fashion show, and happy hour made for exciting and ever-changing ways to increase exposure for the brand.
In July of 2007, we printed (5) designs for men and women, respectively. I had quite a few boxes stacked just feet from where I slept at night. Then, within the first three months, four more designs appeared and the reaction from CityLovers was great. CityLove had great products, great photos, excellent feedback, and a very small, but growing community of support.
Back on Every Shirt. CityLove loves Buffalo the best 
*****
CityLove Clothing has been making the Best Buffalo Shirts available since July 2007. All of our Buffalo Tees use high-quality fabrics, featuring original designs created by local artists. If you see a Buffalo T-shirt you like, please contact us or shop our available styles at www.shopcitylove.com
Artist Profile: Laryssa Paints “The Ralph”
A New Buffalo Bills Piece from a loyal fan!
The Ralph by Laryssa Loza
Thanks for sending us a high-quality picture!!
Tony CityLove met Laryssa Loza through the CityLove Store when it was open on Elmwood. We got to talking about her work as an artist. She ended up drawing the first ever “CityKid” LOGO……a mini-skyline with text, and we used it right away to introduce small batches of CityKid Clothing.
CityKid Logo, by Laryssa
It is no surprise that Laryssa is a big Bills Fan, so CityLove ran into her when we sold our T.O.HOPE81 t-shirts at McFadden’s. You can see more of our visit on the CityLove Fan Page. And very importantly, watch an authentic in-game rendition of the Bills’ “SHOUT FIGHT” Song captured in our journey.
Special Event: Fashion Rocks…for a CURE!
On Thursday, May 5th, 2010, Tony CityLove participated in the “FASHION ROCKS…for a CURE” Event at Nektar (451 Elmwood), raising money for the Roswell Park Cancer Institute for Breast Cancer Research & Education.
Photo Courtesy of Mario Lorenzo, Bella Visage, LLC.
The event was co-chaired by Jeanne Mulkey and our friend, Sue Morreale, owner of Lotions & Potions (798 Elmwood, 886-6457). Sue is a breast cancer survivor and works a lot to raise money and awareness with Roswell. In November 2009, CityLove created a special “Fight Like a Girl” design to aid in her personal fundraising efforts. For this special fashion show, we made some new summer styles that were a big hit!
The event had over (300) people and everybody looked great, including the sexy runway models. There were dozens of items raffled off, including a flat screen TV and donations from local shops and restaurants. Sue is still figuring out the final amount of money raised, but she estimated that the event raised over $20,000 for Roswell Park. Awesome & Congrats!
CityLove has been very happy to work with Sue, and we were happy to have our products help in a small way towards her overall fundraising goals. We look forward to helping her with special projects in the future, and in the meantime, you can find these special shirts at her store on Elmwood.
If Sue is not working, you may find her pretty daughter, and #1 helper, Ciara……a Canisius College Griffin just like the handsome man she is posing with! 
Buffalo SBDC to offer Google Seminar
As many of you know, Tony Maggiotto works as a Business Advisor at the NYS Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Buffalo State College.
www.buffalostate.edu/sbdc
Tony helps start-up and existing businesses with “best practices” for management, basic monthly accounting, internet marketing, social media and much more. The services are FREE and confidential and are funded, in part, by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the BSC Research Foundation. The Center has over (6) six Business Advisors and is one of (24) SBDCs across New York State.
Director Susan McCartney and Tony speaking at "Straight Talk 2011"
In 2011 and beyond, SBDCs are (correctly) putting an increased focus on educating entrepreneurs about the value of the internet for business and sales development. To that end, the Buffalo SBDC is welcoming Seth Meyerowitz, Certified Google Business Trainer, to campus for an engaging and informative seminar on Tuesday, July 26 at Buffalo State College from 4:30-7:30pm.
Whats is your business's "digital footprint"?!
Seth Meyerowitz will showcase “Google 101” and “Adwords 101” in two targeted presentations created by Google developers and internal specialists from Google HQ. The workshops empower individuals and small businesses to optimize their web presences for Google Search, Google Apps and Adwords, Google’s pay-per-click search marketing program.
The seminar has a cost of $50.00 per person* and pre-registration is required to guarantee attendance. There is a break between presentations; light refreshments will be available.
*Attendees are given a credit for Google Adwords Advertising of $50 (existing Adwords) or $100 (new to Adwords) after the event. Info on the presentation is emailed to participants after the session, as well.
Only recently did Google begin engaging with advisors and internet professionals to encourage greater direct use of Google’s industry-leading products. In March 2011, Meyerowitz and Tony Maggiotto (Buffalo SBDC) met in Brooklyn among a group of business advisors and online marketing professionals hosted for training through Google. Seth has already given over (6) presentations since March 2011.
Tony (left), with Seth (top) with other Advisors and Internet Pros
Seth Meyerowitz, the Google presenter, is a graduate of the University at Buffalo (SUNY), and he operates a consulting business for Online Marketing & Internet Visibility in Long Island, N.Y.
Two ways to REGISTER — Visit “ubebuff.eventbrite.com” or call the Buffalo SBDC at 716-878-4030.
CityLove Buffalo does first Groupon deal!
CityLove showcases re-launched designs through Groupon promo!
CityLove was approached about offering a “Daily-deal” from the national group-buying company, Groupon. The daily-deal model has exploded over the last year, and it provides consumers with a heavily-discounted sale from a business. The business benefits from increased exposure, despite the upfront profit loss due to the discount.
www.groupon.com/buffalo
CityLove Clothing weants to thank all the folks who purchased a CityLove Groupon during our special JUNE 10-13. We sold (138) deals! Stay tuned for our next deal, event, or promotion.
Stay in Touch: Like us on facebook.com/citylovebuffalo and follow us on twitter.com/citylovebuffalo. You can email us directly at contact@citylovebuffalo.com.
CityLove Nominated for Artvoice Award
Image Courtesy of Artvoice.com
Each year, Artvoice does an impressive “Best of Buffalo” poll of local lore, and we were honored to learn that we were in the “Top 5″ nominees for “Best Place for Cool T-Shirts.” Well, we certainly agree!!
Stay in Touch: Like us on facebook.com/citylovebuffalo and follow us on twitter.com/citylovebuffalo. You can email us directly at contact@citylovebuffalo.com.
Project: Santa’s Elves at Picasso’s Pizza
Cool Idea by Marc from Picasso's
CityLove was happy to produce a special holiday project for Picasso’s Pizza …especially when we got this as a tip for our snowy-weather delivery!!
Special Thanks to our printer Tim at Steamroller Press for another job well done.
New Custom Project: 24 Shoshone
Holy Angels Alumnae Board teams with CityLove for Limited Edition Design.
Have you been to 24 Shoshone?!
Few people know this, but I, Tony CityLove, went to Holy Angels Academy, an all-girls college preparatory high school in North Buffalo, for one entire school year. (Pretty sure I had perfect attendance as well.) Let me add also that my three beautiful sisters all got to go there for the full (4) four years! [Marya '92, Laura '95, Amanda '04]
When I was a bright young student at St. Rose of Lima School on Parker Avenue (now closed), I was among the group of 8th Graders selected to take Math 1 for H.S. Freshmen at ……you guessed it, Holy Angels. There were about five girls, me, and one other young man. So, every morning, I started my school day at Holy Angels. We assembled in the second floor hallway outside our classroom and waited for the first period of classes to begin. Our teacher was George Saltarelli. Then, after class, we would walk as a group about three blocks to St. Rose, just in time for the second class of the day, Language Arts with Mrs. Valaik. All of the info is verifiable!!!
Most importantly, as a proud alumnus of Holy Angels, let me congratulate them on their recent campus addition, their 150th Anniversary, and their recent induction into the CityLove Cool Club.
Local Dancers Give Back … A Lot!!
Over (30) local dance studios get together to raise over $20,000 for research!
Dancers Give Back - Shirt By CityLove
CityLove Clothing produced a special PURPLE V-NECK for the “Dancers Give Back” Recital Day on October 16, 2010. It was a day-long event to raise money for specific research through Roswell Park. A bunch of our friends from Mary Alice’s Dance Studio even showed up to WKBW’s Good Morning WNY to dance with the sunrise!
They SOLD OUT of all of our shirts during the event! What’s even better is Mary Alice Dietz, one of the lead organizers, reported to me that they raised a little over $21,000 to benefit the Jacquie for A.L.L. foundation. The event included dozens and dozens of raffle prizes and chinese auction items, and there were women (and men) of all ages teaming-up to make the event a success. Congratulations to all who participated; CityLove was very happy to be a small part!!
DGB - Raffle and Prize Room
CityLove has done a number of special orders with MADS Dance and they are great to work with!! If you wish to purchase a DGB T-shirt, donate to their cause, or sign-up a child for dancing….Contact Mary Alice at 662-1080.
