Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles Gatlin III.
Hi Charles, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story started when I got tired of not being able to buy clothes I liked simply because I was too big. No matter which way you cut it, I was just too big, and they didn’t make the good-looking stuff for me. I’m guessing that there was just not enough people my size in the market for us to really be considered. Honestly, I felt discriminated against in a way. That may not be what it is, but it is certainly how I felt. Whatever there was that was available really just had big men like me looking like an out-of-work golfer. I have a very good friend that went to a school called Fashion Careers of California. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe he went there for merchandising. I took a look at the school and found out that they had a design program. The light went on, and at that moment, The Charles Gatlin III Clothing Company aka The CG3 Clothing Company was born, although I hadn’t put it to paper yet. I enrolled into the school in November of 2002. Two years later in August of 2004, I graduated. Got to tell Steve thanks for showing me the way. It would be another 10 years before the company would become an LLC and I would trademark the original CG3 logo. I made my first sale on October 21, 2016, to Iris Trammel. It was one of our original patchwork beanies.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. Like anything worthwhile having it’s been a struggle at times. One of the hardest things is being consistent. I’ve been funding my company by working long hours sometimes even to a threat of my health. I’m applying for grants, and I go and learn about them. But yes, definitely struggles along the way. I’m still here though.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As well as establishing my company, I also work for the County of San Diego. I am a Human Services Specialist. I am also a Security Guard. I work for Allied Universal, and I do personal security as well. I can’t really say I specialize in anything because I do my best to be good at everything. I am known for being a no-nonsense type of guy. I like to get to business and do my job. I’m most proud of the fact that I started something and am building it from the ground up, molding it and making it respectable. My company wasn’t ready-made and handed to me. I had to break ground on it, and the fact that I am still pushing with it all these years later makes me proud. What sets me apart from others is how I respond to the negative. For example, if you tell most no, then they hear no and that’s it. If you tell me no, what I actually heard is “Let me figure this out.” I’m sorry, not sorry, but no is not an option. Neither is failure.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
No, I don’t have any advice for finding a mentor. I’ve watched the big brands and how they do. I follow Daymond John. I’ve watch Sean Combs regain his brand. I watched Master P when he had his brand, and I try to keep close tabs on what’s going on with them. I do keep watch on other brands but tend to follow those that are most like me. I look for their blueprints to success and do as much as I can to follow them. What has worked well for me so far is trial and error. Doing small samples of things before going big.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/cg3clothing
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cg3clothing
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/cg3clothing
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Charles+Gatylin+III+Clothing+Company+LLC
- Other: www.tiktok.com
