Today we’d like to introduce you to Russell Takashima.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The way Human Catalyst was started was by the belief in myself. For years I was designing for other people. Due to the Economy, the opportunities were harder to come by as a designer. I was laid off, and I had a child on the way. It was one of the lowest moments in my life, but it created a sink or swim moment. I decided to swim.
I took the chance at believing in myself and started laying the foundation for Human Catalyst. With the support of my family and friends, I was able to create a brand that was true to my beliefs. I was finally able to establish a brand based on my creative vision. It was a dream come true, but definitely a lot of peaks and valleys along the way.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I wish I can say that the road has always been smooth. It hasn’t. I don’t even know if my road has always been paved. When you are designing for established brands, there is a lot more financial backing, and unfortunately, sometimes the brands are so large that the designs are allowed to be sub-par. For an Independent brand like us, it was important for me to create the best work that I could with the highest quality. Since the beginning of the brand, I have always been hands on.
I had to learn how to screen print because I couldn’t find a printer willing to work with someone who had large dreams with shallow pockets. So, I became a printer. That is not an easy task at all. People think it is as simple as pressing print on your computer and magic happens. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. There is a huge learning curve and many messed up shirts along the way.
The other largest struggle has been going from a Designer who is 99% behind the monitor to a businessman who is now in the forefront. Running a business is difficult, to say the least. I can understand why so many new businesses fail. It requires a particular skill set that not everyone has. There is so much planning, forecasting, budgeting, marketing, and a million other financial terms.
So it requires a lot of juggling of your time. So if you are on a shoestring budget, don’t expect much sleep. It makes it hard to divide your time between your craft and making the business survive.
Please tell us about Human Catalyst.
Human Catalyst is a clothing brand based out of Chula Vista, California. For a lack of a better term, we are definitely a part of the Streetwear Market. I like to see ourselves as a provider of uniforms for the street lifestyle. The emphasis has always been based on timeless designs for the street culture.
No matter what you are in to, whether it is music, cars, skating, breaking, BMX, etc… you can find something in us that you can connect with. We now have a physical storefront in the Historic District of Downtown Chula Vista. When we opened the store, it was a whole new outlet for us.
When we were solely an online business, it always felt like we were in the shadows of some e-commerce page. With the store, it is a whole new experience. We were missing the Human Connection to people before, and the store filled in that void. What I learned from the business so far is that some of the best days we had weren’t the days that we sold the most product. The proudest days are the ones where we made a difference in someone’s day.
I think it is such a blessing to have a relationship with your customers you are designing for. So many have become friends. So many have become family. I always tell people that the door is always open, admission is free, and souvenirs are optional. Sometimes it isn’t always about the money. I hope that people can see that with us. I think that alone makes us different. We are truly about the people.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I was able to start over, I would have opened the storefront a lot sooner. It was my wife’s idea to do it. Throughout the history of our marriage, she has often believed in me, more than myself.
I am working on fixing that, but it is a process. I wish I would have known sooner how amazing it would be to have a store. It made me realize that the most important part of Human Catalyst is our connection to people. I could probably talk to you for hours on different instances of conversation that have changed my life.
I am so grateful for everyone that has come through the door. People may walk by and just see clothes in the window, but once they step in, I hope they can tell that it is more than just a brand.
Pricing:
- Hats and T-Shirts start at $25
- Fleece and Jackets range from $45 and up.
Contact Info:
- Address: 260 3rd Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910
- Website: www.thehumancatalyst.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @humancatalyst
- Facebook: Facebook.com/humancatalyst
Image Credit:
@carinoe
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
