Today we’d like to introduce you to Donte Churchill.
Hi Donte, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It’s a combination of different ideas and life’s experiences. First…I’ve written quotes that people have complimented me on over the years. That triggered the idea of putting quotes / catchy phrases on merchandise (hats, shirts, stickers, etc.).
Secondly…6, or 7 years ago when I lived in Atlanta there was a homeless shelter behind my complex, so there was a heavy homeless presence on a regular basis. It was in my heart to make lunches for the homeless every paycheck (twice per month). It would be a sandwich, chips, a drink and a snack.
Fast forward…I moved to San Diego and about three years ago, I began volunteering at the Rock Thrift Store (the Thrift Store is affiliated with The Rock Church). There we provide the homeless with free clothes, shoes, blankets, toiletries, you name it. This was such a great resource I began taking these blessings to the different homeless encampments around San Diego. For Christmas a few years ago, my girlfriend snuck into my quotes and got a few of them printed on some shirts for me. That’s when the lightbulb went off and I realized how easy it was to make shirts.
It was right around COVID and everything was shutdown. This is when the dots connected and my ideas tied together. It was an opportunity to start my own business and work for myself. I officially started my Outreach and named it.
Help The Homies. I began receiving a couple of hundred burritos per week, packs with bottled water, fruit and a few snacks, prepared lunches, toiletry bags and the list goes on! I’ve also been able to help the homeless get cellphones!
I started my brand Go Get It Gear as well! Now…with every purchase a homeless person will receive a Help The Homies shirt. It is an easy way to help the homeless and look good doing it!
We also print for several small businesses and events in the San Diego area.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The struggle is to be patient and value my product. I must remember the time and energy that I put into each design adds to its value. My mission of helping the homeless is positive also. I just remind myself that my product is quality, my prices are competitive and everyone won’t make a purchase. That doesn’t mean start giving discounts (I never see Louis Vitton on sale), it means be patient and the right opportunities will present themselves.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Go Get It Gear?
Here at Go Get It Gear we have a passionate mission and a quality product. GoGetItGear.com is where you can find our online store, but in the community is where you will find Us. In addition to our online merchandise and printing for small businesses, we provide a lot of resources for the homeless. We actually donate a Help The Homies shirt to a homeless person with every purchase! Help The Homies is our Nonprofit that goes to the different encampments with clothes, toiletries, shoes and food. We feed a couple hundred homeless in the San Diego area weekly! We have several ways people can get involved…buy some merchandise at gogetitgear.com, become a Go Get It Gear Club member, sponsor a homeless person, donate items, financial donations on Venmo @HelpTheHomies and by following us on social media @gogetitgear and spread the word.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
1) Multiple streams of income are mandatory (don’t put all of your eggs in one basket), you never know what could happen.
2) Social media isn’t all silliness…it’s actually an outstanding resource to reach people around the world.
3) Take a risk, try new things and think outside of the box!
Pricing:
- $50 a month to become a club member (it includes 3 shirts monthly)
- T-Shirts are $25
- Long-Sleeves are $35
- Hoodies are $45
- A homeless person can be sponsored for as little as $25 per month (3 month minimum)
Contact Info:
- Email: gogetitgear@yahoo.com
- Website: gogetitgear.com
- Instagram: @gogetitgear
- Facebook: @gogetitgear
