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