– A statement shared by (“Nepotism baby”) Kim Kardashian
In a world where we can be anything, why would we (as Americans) not want to be (like) the pop icons who shape our beloved pop culture? More specifically, following in the steps of those who run successful businesses and hold a name that wields fame and influences masses with it. We look to people like the Kardashians, who all strive, collectively, to be billionaires asap. Heck, they may all even reach the Trillionaire mark in their lifetimes at the rate they are going!
Unfortunately, (Kim Kardashian), we all don’t come from well-known families, privilege, connections, or money. So, we are forced to work. Even if our productivity is not up to your standards of satisfaction, the masses do put forth their best efforts. And sadly, we do not hold the same power/privilege to be business owners with the wages companies like yours give to us.
Now for a grounded and Realistic Approach
For a general public approach, I wanted to share this video above with people who still have that big goal of making a successful business someday. Even if it is rooted in celebrity worship that inspired you (such as the Kardashians’ journey), it is still good to have a great goal like that in your life!
And as always, for my discussions/blog posts, feel free to comment resourceful knowledge and facts to help out other creatives with your set of knowledge on this topic! Helping each other out goes a long way and is deeply appreciated.
The undersigned (“Recipient”) hereby agrees that all financial and other information (“Information”) that it has and will receive concerning MR JOSEPH Company, LLC is confidential and will not be disclosed to any individual or entity without prior written consent. The Information shall remain the property of MR JOSEPH Company, LLC and shall be returned to MR JOSEPH Company, LLC promptly at its request, together with all copies made thereof. Recipient acknowledges that no remedy of law may be adequate to compensate MR JOSEPH Company, LLC for a violation of this Agreement and Recipient hereby agrees that besides any legal or other rights that may be available in the event of a breach hereunder, MR JOSEPH Company, LLC may seek equitable relief to enforce this Agreement in any Court of competent jurisdiction. _________, _______________ Date Signature
Product or Service: MR JOSEPH Company, LLC offers a designer-grade menswear brand focusing on sustainable luxury. Our focus is ethically produced luxury clothing and strong factory-driven wholesale retail partnerships.
Summary Description of Market: Increased awareness for environmental and social reasons among consumers is driving fast growth in the market of sustainable luxury menswear. The target market of high-end, sustainable fashion lovers ranges from affluent individuals aged 25 to 45 years.
Type of Ownership: LLC (Limited Liability Company).
Management Experience:
Mr. Joseph has been a fashion designer/seamstress/award-winning artist since age 10. Being a critically acclaimed independent filmmaker, his skill set equipped him to shape his ideal image/ideas for branding purposes. His expertise in couture fashion (design), sustainability, and +5 years of retail are also great traits to highlight for his mission.
Mr. Gasparich has been involved in sports since a young age, taking part in and helping to organize sports events. Through these roles, he has learned how to plan events, lead teams, and manage different tasks. His business studies in college have also taught him more about organizing projects. This experience has made him good at managing teams and getting things done.
Mr. Williams has a degree in marketing and business operations. He has helped multiple companies expand their reach through his marketing skills, as well as expand their knowledge of their customer base. He has also developed leadership skills through many projects and has led teams through difficult situations from beginning to end.
Mr. Samaha managed teams on-and-off the field, coordinating day-to-day schedules to ensure the best and most smooth project flow. He has overseen a project from start to finish.
Organizational Structure: MR JOSEPH Company, LLC will be led by M. Joseph, P. Gaspich, T. Williams, and G. Samaha, with roles of key management positions: Chief Designer, Marketing Manager, and Operations Manager. The company would further develop other staff to support the factory workers.
2. Business Description
Basic Information:
Mailing address: 2761 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Mission Statement: To redefine luxury menswear by creating timeless, high-quality, sustainably produced, and ethically sourced pieces. We strive to be the go-to brand for fashion-forward individuals who value craftsmanship and environmental responsibility.
Goals & Objectives:
Short-term: Build brand recognition in California and establish partnerships with high-end retailers.
Long-term: Expand across the nation and develop a more sustainable product portfolio through the use of 100% eco-friendly materials by 2030.
Keys to Success:
Strong focus on sustainable and ethical practices. Good wages for US factory workers and obtaining certified quality fabrics would be guaranteed.
Building a unique, timeless brand identity through high-quality, popular staple pieces along with some avant-garde ones to adhere to artistic audiences.
Maintaining relationships with ethical manufacturers and wholesale partners to deliver customer needs to their ideal expectations.
2. Product Description
Need Detected: increasing demand for well-made designer menswear, which can appeal to environmentally conscious consumers who will not compromise on style/luxury.
Competitive Advantage: MR. JOSEPH only uses eco-friendly, high-quality materials. We provide custom embroidery designs and give full transparency into the ethical (made in USA), manufacturing.
Uniqueness of Product: We guarantee 100% sustainable materials being used for our luxury-grade clothing, focusing on the timeless style that appeals to both the fashion-forward individual and the person who values sustainability. When other brands sell synthetic materials and cut corners, we stay loyal to our consumer base with top-tier standards always promised.
WeaknessesHigh operational costsLimited market reach High competitionReal Leather and other goods, steering PETA followers away,
OpportunitiesExpansion into other markets Collaborations and partnershipsMore customization optionsMore inclusive sizes
ThreatsIntense competition Economy downturn Inelastic demand: few clients and seasonal fabric shortages
Behavior: Consumers are increasingly looking for products that align with their values, particularly when it comes to sustainability. The luxury menswear market is shifting as more consumers increasingly want/demand ethically produced, high-quality garments from start to finish.
Target Market: Our target market is affluent, eco-conscious individuals. The age range should be predominantly 25-45, with some outliers. This group is more tech-savvy than the older demographics, so they can order online and find out where our clothes are located. The younger part of this group is socially aware and willing to invest in premium, sustainable products. They are typically urban professionals who value exclusivity and quality.
Promotion Strategy:
Mass digital marketing, including social media campaigns, focused on sustainability and luxury with well-known runway supermodels, Olympians, and political advocates.
Collaborations with eco-conscious influencers and high-end fashion brands.
Hosting events and pop-ups along the Southern California coast.
Commercial Resources:
Strong relationships with sustainable fabric suppliers and ethical manufacturing partners.
Digital infrastructure for direct-to-consumer sales, as well as established relationships with wholesale retailers.
5. Product and Location Analysis
Product: MR. JOSEPH offers designer menswear. Hermes and Prada are an influence for prestigious, well-crafted, staple-piece designs. Including suits, outerwear, and casual wear made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton, hemp, and recycled fabrics.
Merchandise: High-quality, luxury menswear with a focus on versatility and timeless design. Products are intended to be durable and stylish, with an emphasis on fitted comfort and function.
Materials: Sustainable fabrics are sourced from eco-friendly producers throughout the nation. Materials include premium/organic cottons, furs, cashmeres, leather, silks, wools, and other luxurious fabrics.
Distributors: The brand will distribute products through select high-end retail partnerships like H. Lorenzo, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and so on. Additionally, a native online platform for consumers.
Location Analysis:
Advantages: Laguna Beach is known for its artistic community and fashion-forward, wealthy residents/visitors, making it an ideal location for a brand with a luxury, sustainable ethos. The city also provides proximity to environmentally conscious suppliers and eco-friendly manufacturers.
Disadvantages: The cost of leasing commercial space in California is higher than in the majority of states, and the market is highly competitive in the luxury sector, especially in the Los Angeles region north of Orange County.
Land Cost: ~$6,000,000
Building Construction: ~$7,000,000
6. Financial Plan
Financial Statements
Start-up Costs:
Initial inventory and production: ~$200,000
Marketing and branding: ~$125,000
Office and operational setup: ~$75,000
Website development and e-commerce infrastructure: ~$100,000
Total: ~$500,000
Pricing:
This will make the brand, MR. JOSEPH priced at a high range, with prices ranging from $700 for casual items (T-shirts, leather goods, slippers/sandals) to $6,800 for high-end, made-to-order, tailored and fitted suits/clothing.
Conclusion
The business plan of MR JOSEPH Company, LLC follows the company’s vision for positioning in the sustainable luxury menswear market. By focusing on ethical manufacturing, high-quality products/fabrics, and a clear and sleek brand identity, MR JOSEPH meets the growing demand of fashion consumers who want the industry to become more environmentally and socially conscious. Reestablishing the United States as a country that honors and is honored for high fashion through MR JOSEPH will open doors for this market to grow further. Not only that, but an untapped community of well-skilled workers in the state of California and the rest of the nation will be eager to join our mission.
Oh, Sewing…
It is so f**king frustrating trying to fix any mistake made here. Especially dealing with a flimsy machine with a back bobbin from Hell! However, luckily, if I cannot find seamstresses for my brand in the future—which is most likely the case—(to do the labor for me), at least I know how to make clothing.
UNM has a costume design course, and I recommend all creatives to take this. Also, I personally prefer hand sewing with a back stich and couture invisible stitching over this nightmare…
Me and that thing DID NOT GET ALONG EVER.
Further Personal Reflection
I would not be where I am today, especially as a freelance artist (i.e., filmmaker, online clothing reseller) if it were not for my supportive family, classmates, and the many teachers and mentors who have supported me. Not only during my times of creativity and charm, but even during the ugly; with my burnout and tireless/angry nights, where I thought nothing would turn out in my favor. I thank everyone so much for their patience and time with me.
Next, after making this business plan last semester, in 2025 Fall, I appreciated how much I have learned to fix my understanding of how to turn my artistic ideas into something I can actually profit from. With these upper level entrepreneurship and business management courses, I could navigate more or less how to pitch a business to investors. And, I was given the clarity to see how likely something of my dreams could be possibly functional in the real world, (even though it seems very unlikely), since I have OUT OF THIS WORLD GOALS. However, Shark Tank, I am ready to take you on one day!
But, we never know what greatness tomorrow may offer. If we stay focused on what we want, and build on that, we are more likely to not miss the door when opportunity greets us, haha!
Rick Rubin’s brilliance is what fires my lions. He keeps me eager to create through his beautiful advice that moves mountains in my cluttered mind.
If you have not already, do feel free to check out his book, “The Creative Act: A Way of Being,” for this is where I find the best quotes from him for me to act fast. My motivation.
When I am puzzled about where I should go with my art direction, I ask myself, what would my true self want? Mr. Rubin reminds me that my opinions matter and that my efforts to mold into the consumer’s ideal boxes are not the main aspect I should put my full consideration and efforts into. If anything, it comes with self-betrayal to always put my soul and creative choices to the side of my work.
In a world so focused on making universally appreciated art/things, we forget that there is still so much greatness that comes from individuality and thinking outside the box through going with one’s intuition instead of always sticking to the strict, pretentious rules to hit the constant demands of popularity. My goal is not only popularity that is calculated through theory; I also want my art to have impact and the soul I had mentioned that wants to be seen and felt. Always.
So, although I may be confused at times about what the work should be and where it should go (much like life), I need to continue with one foot in front of the other as it all unravels in front of me. I trust myself, and I will keep going. As an artist, you need determination and faith to put out the work when you are ready and be brave enough to take some hits.
I have made groundbreaking art before that has put a wide smile on audiences faces to tears down their cheeks, so what is going to stop me now from doing this again? Like Mr. Rubin shares, the art always winds up being what it wants to be as I continue to get to work. It is the effort that shapes it to be closer to what I want, and I need to know when the ending is here—to publish and stop the excessive “polishing.”
Screenshot
If you are reading this and you do not know when to submit your work, sometime now is better than never. I promise you, if you put your all into it and did your homework and polished it many times prior, it is bound to cause motion.
I am gladly a student of his wise words and will take further notes for the sake of standing my ground as an artist and navigating the (sometimes) troubled waters.
I believe in you. I also need to continue to believe in me.
Now that I have established that I want a men’s high fashion clothing store, what exactly should the designs look like to capture my branding best?
WELCOME TO RUNWAY. WELCOME BACK TO THE BASICS.
As inspiration, Hermès keeps men’s fashion top shelf, stitched with precision and well-tailored for their classic pieces.
For the country that inspires me the most, Hermès is made in France. With that, French New Wave (1960’s) cinematic clothing styles are specifically what I am drawn toward. They are fresh and classy, looking good on (most) men.
By having subtle luxury, there is not a need to overly flaunt the clothing or always do gaudy works of art because it is “designer.” Sure, within gay culture, from the ballroom voguing scene to red carpet appearances, I do appreciate some of those pieces but the standard, well-crafted assortments are also a signature to collect within one’s closet. Being perfectly built to last long with the stitching and admirable fabrics. The classics are utterly great for mixing and matching with other pieces.
Soft colors to the eyes are a delight to wear, from whites and baby blues to grays that fill in negative space for professionalism. The bright red tie is a bold yet charming move, shown in the picture above. Also, the navy blue pants are iron-pressed and that tasteful color accents the light blue shirt somewhat monochromatically. From personal experience, I love to re-create this easy look of light blue on dark blue. Additionally, keeping it simple, with some personality seeping through, adds a touch of personalization. It is mesmerizing to the eyes to keep it roughly around 20% saturated and 80% muted for an outfit so it fulfills the best color-ratio effect.
As for the models I would hire for campaigns, I love the way old-cinema men playing the love interest look. Even through gay magazines, this manly starring role is adored by both women and men. I aspire to look like this and be with someone who has this flair about them. From an advertising perspective, I would also assume most of my future clients share this desire. Truly, the clothes honor both of these cultures and play off of the lust through the queer lens. This will be key in the tasteful ads I would create.
M. STREET JOSEPH (alternative name: M. JOSEPH STREET)
The names hint at what the two brands have to offer.
LOGO CONCEPTS.
‘STREETWEAR’
V.I
V.II
V.III
2. ‘SAINTWEAR’
V.I
V.II
Meet and feel the spirit of the Victor through M. ST. JOSEPH.
From the victors who stand tall at the podium, with golden medals decorating their necks after a brilliant performance, to those who bravely speak against a fiery parliament aiming directly against them, kiss every victory with confidence.
Stand for something.
And as always, breathe life in and let your worries out
No matter how much it may hurt to breathe in moments like these, we will prevail despite the odds set out against us.
PENDANT MATERIAL
Made with 100% Stainless steel or other finer metals, each pendant on the clothing has either a detailed 3D laurel wreath or a praying Mother Mary. Both will be positioned over the heart. This metal choice guarantees little to no tarnish* through its resilient properties.
V.III of ‘STREETWEAR’ & V. II of ‘SAINTWEAR’ have to be my top picks for how I would like the brand logo to look. Exact to the T if I can; however, I do believe both are copyrighted, especially the Laurel reef from Fred Perry Co. Although, a finer refinement of these could happen too with a proper graphics team hired to redesign it to fit around these tight legal perimeters.
CLOTHING MATERIALS
With fresh, fine fabrics (as I described in my past discussions), there is no doubt that quality is delivered. Especially for the prices these garments will be going for.
Fresh out of the box, the reverie of scents floods the mind with bliss. Both Saint and Street will utilize these fabric choices that provide quality and precision-cut tailored looks. The delicate, effortless feeling plays a role in bringing each Olympian back mentally into Their prime headspace for the game.
No distractions.
Naturally, due to God’s well-crafted fabrics, unpleasant sweat (scent) will be out of mind. Also, the fabric is ventilated and insulates well; no matter the weather, it adapts. Being perfectly smooth to the touch, cashmere Heaven is the top pick for fabric in each collection.
THE VISUAL DIFFERENCE: ‘SAINTWEAR’ VS. ‘STREETWEAR’
SAINT
These simple, timeless looks make for nonstop professional statements.
MR. JOSEPH & MR. GODARD greet you with open arms.
Welcome warmly, gentlemen.
2. STREET
Gaudy Galore. Historic camp/streetwear fashion to Queer hunks with style. What more can I say without ruining all of the surprise and endless fun with this vastly open catalog?
Break necks. Let them take notes.
Both brands are not only reserved for athletes but are certainly aligned for Victors.
DO YOU HEAR THE CHANTS & SCREAMS FROM THE CROWD?
Through the fire, with the crown that will never fall, relentlessly tear through the pain and give it your all.
Promise to do whatever it takes, through the intentions of your pure heart, to be the Victor.
Here is the bold truth. The world of fast fashion will never be as delicious and as polished as couture. These materials are worth repairing. These products are alive and should never be synthetic.
[FOCUSED GOAL]
THE BENEFITS OF WEARING NATURAL FABRICS.
Unlike other “designer brands” on the market, Hermès respects quality with the production of their products. By avoiding plastics and other synthetics, the clothes are worth more in value, last longer, and offer more benefits for consumers. Much like how previous generations had much better clothing (quality and stitching), this noble art should never be sacrificed again. M. Joseph or M. ST. JOSEPH will promise to use top-of-the-shelf fabrics/stitching practices.
SAINT (ST.) CLOTHING LINE: CONCEPT ART/INSPIRATION
“Yes, I may find myself gravitating toward subtle high fashion and making that the center of my work…
But in all honesty, when I see campy work, perfectly done “flashy” fashion that is made to turn heads, I can’t stop myself from staring in awe.”
-M. Joseph
‘CAMP’ Fashion Sketches: Created MAY | 2020
How about we spice things up?
I am thinking of my favorite Greek, Roman, and Renaissance era inspired art (a.k.a. the “Camp” essentials), full of gaudy designs!
The black-on-black is subtle, yet the play with depth on the leather is flawless. This choice elevates a fit by sticking out from the ordinary, capturing something elegant and classy. These shoes, which came from Versace’s 2023 Summer collection, have to be one of my favorites and I cannot wait to recreate and adapt this art style into all of my pieces.
Additionally, even Rosalia in 2024 wears a white-on-white polished leather harness to Lollapalooza in Brazil. Her Spanish pride and excellence radiate across the crowd as her mostly queer, very talented backup dancers light up the stage. With choreographed sharp moves (inspired by flamenco and voguing), couture stitching is needed to ensure no outfit malfunctions occur.
THE CATEGORY IS “CAMP”: FROM THE MET GALA
I do not think everyone can see the elephant in the room when I was confronted with these looks but for any homosexual, they know right off the bat that these looks were inspired by fetish culture.
Done in a tasteful, appropriate way, I would like to capitalize off of this look from my culture in this adapted form.
Welcome to the leather harness.
A gay man’s bedroom essential item
Well-crafted. And now making its way into the limelight. I would like to adapt some camp and a tad bit of fetish wear into my high fashion brand.
Utterly, Gianni Versace would be so proud if he saw where (gay) fashion is heading!
Welcome to WordPress! This is a sample post. Edit or delete it to take the first step in your blogging journey. To add more content here, click the small plus icon at the top left corner. There, you will find an existing selection of WordPress blocks and patterns, something to suit your every need for content creation. And don’t forget to check out the List View: click the icon a few spots to the right of the plus icon and you’ll get a tidy, easy-to-view list of the blocks and patterns in your post.
Welcome to WordPress! This is a sample post. Edit or delete it to take the first step in your blogging journey. To add more content here, click the small plus icon at the top left corner. There, you will find an existing selection of WordPress blocks and patterns, something to suit your every need for content creation. And don’t forget to check out the List View: click the icon a few spots to the right of the plus icon and you’ll get a tidy, easy-to-view list of the blocks and patterns in your post.
It is not only what the clothes for a brand should look like or who wears it to make my brand popular. However, most important to me is how the garments make you feel when you wear them.
I would want my clothing brand to reflect my music taste and my wide-ranging cultures, alongside my comforts and pleasures. Full of fine cashmere, wools, and other comforting materials.
Overall, I find purpose in what I create, not only for myself but for others to also find a home with.
Behind each Design 