Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Gonzalez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chris. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always been intrigued by fashion through its ways in which someone can express themselves. The idea of creating a clothing line was always there but never really paid much attention to it due to the simple fact that I had no clue in how to start or who to reach for advice. I remember doing rough sketches in an old notebook that I carried around with me every-time I was in an environment which I felt inspired by. A couple of months later, I was able to bring those same designs into Quality Blank an experienced apparel and design company. Our team at Quality Blank have done an amazing job in strengthening the brand and allowing the vision to become more clear within time. Our focus since the start has been to create something creative and different which would allow all our customers to feel comfortable in our apparel. It was definitely overwhelming at first not knowing much but has been a bittersweet feeling seeing everything come together.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Life wasn’t always easy growing up. As someone who comes from an inner city neighborhood, the odds were stacked up against me. My biggest challenge was taking the initiative to follow my dream. I had to understand that regardless of how clear the dream was to me, it would not be clear to others. As I began to pursue this dream, I knew that there would be mistakes and losses, but that didn’t deter me. There were plenty of times when I was advised to change my decision. Those closet to me would tell me to save my money, use it on something more beneficial, or pursue something more realistic. I knew that they meant well because the idea of pursuing a dream like this was daunting for someone growing up in the “ghetto”. We have a long journey ahead of us but are very appreciative of all the support we’ve received as we continue to make progress towards our end goal.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Cold Flight Co. story. Tell us more about the business.
Cold Flight is a brand influenced by the street and skate lifestyle of the world. Our emphasis is on instilling meaning within every piece we create. Working collectively, we design clothing that is unique in an effort to motivate others and allow them to believe in wild ideas. We take pride in being different from other brands by implementing the different cultures from around the world. Our team at Cold Flight just released a summer collection, and we are currently working on winter collection that will include a lot of major surprises. As we continue to expand, we will work diligently to have our products in a store near you. In the near future, we hope to create the kind of platform that allows to give back to low-income communities. The ultimate goal is to provide ways in which to keep our kids involved through programs they enjoy, whether it be music, art, fashion, sports, STEM, etc. I have firsthand experience in the struggle of finding someone with any knowledge of the fashion industry. I hope to bridge the gap for others who want to pursue their own dreams and be that person or place they seek in order to achieve them.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
When I first started, I was limited to the resources at my disposal. It took me some time and many trips to different places before I found the most suitable production company. I was very fortunate when I came across Axel, the man behind Quality Blank. I remember arriving to his office and telling him, “I would like to start a clothing line”, without any sort of blueprint or direction. Working with Axel in his experienced company, alongside a few others, has allowed me to gain the knowledge needed to take the next step in creating my own brand. Axel and I come from the same neighborhood, and aside from building our business, we have worked together to find ways in uplifting our community. I certainly believe that these individuals have aided my growth as a business owner and as a person.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.coldflightco.com
- Instagram: @coldflightco_
Image Credit:
Joey Pichardo
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