Today we’d like to introduce you to Jona Aldana.
Jona, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all started in middle school being obsessed with art mainly graffiti that lead to film photography in high School. I loved graffiti but with that comes activities that the law and my mother wouldn’t be happy with, I decided to put that to the side and focused my energy to drawing on paper and photography. The type of photography I was doing mainly for friends 15 year old parties or weddings with my established photographer uncle. While I enjoyed doing photography for events it was not the kind of photography that drew me in to it. I went off to college and majored in architecture and graphic design because the love I have for art. After a couple years in community college I did nothing with my time there regretfully, I started to work and put school and my love for arts on the back burner. Many years later I once again picked up the camera and really dove into photography.
I realized that I am more than just a photographer, I consider myself creative. I made a design that I thought would look nice on a shirt and talked to a popular coffee shop in San Diego and they agreed to collaborate together with the design. I was excited to see my design put on a shirt and the idea of buying something I created, but when the owner of the coffee shop wouldn’t reply to my messages or calls, I saw that vision slip away. My fiancé being my biggest supporter suggested I print the t shirts ourselves and sell them. I decided that she was right and we did just that. We then printed and sold over 100 shirts with my design and that is when Creative Thrds was born. I still love photography, graphic design and graffiti, so I took all those loves and implemented them into my brand. I do all my own designs, photography, social media marketing and networking. I recently started a podcast where I have fun conversations with friends and people, I believe to be interesting with no particular topics. I have a full-time job but the hobbies that I do are my passion.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being that I am the one that does so much for my brand I would say it has been fairly smooth but of course I can’t do everything so I have had bumps with printing companies and website issues. The struggles I have encountered have been lessons and I am glad I came across them.
Creative Thrds – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Photography, clothing brand, and podcast. I do 99% of anything that has to do with my brand. I specialize in design and photography and that is what I would be known for. I am extremely proud of how my company came to be, with that small idea and all the supportive people in my life it truly came to be something positive. I want my brand to represent all creatives out there in all areas, my brand isn’t just another t-shirt company.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My fiancé Kat is my biggest supporter and believes in me, because of her I am able to do what I love. Of course, all my friends who have supported by posting, buying,and word of mouth have made it possible to keep the brand going.
Contact Info:
- Website: CreativeThrds.com
- Phone: 6198825488
- Email: infl@creativethrds.com
- Instagram: Creativethrds
- Twitter: Creativethrds
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