We were lucky to catch up with Sam Craig Sr recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sam, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?
Well to be honest I feel like it’s a 50/50 when asking friends or relatives. Bc some you will get the needed support from and others you won’t. For instance I have a friend who keeps saying they will buy products for himself and wife since around March 2024. And keeps making this statement, but not acting on it. Same with a acouple relatives as well. Which at first rubbed me the wrong way until I learned about the business side of things more. I realized not everyone is for you, or will be your target avatar (Audience). And that what’s not appropriate is to keep reminding them to purchase with me. I don’t even give it a thought to do so, and that’s where I draw the line. Bc I believe that it’s a good thing to start with friends and family to get the ball rolling in my court for the brand to be tested and tried. And to have those as well the strangers share it with others. More so the strangers bc they will be the ones to bring more people to purchase from the brand!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ll start off by saying that I am a it happened as I was working a 9-5. That I realized you know what I’m tired of working for others. As I have being doing so for 18 years off and on. It came to my attention one day In 2019 that it was time to start my own clothing business. As I always had the mindset to become an entrepreneur one day. To finally bring that thought into reality. So starting in 2019-18, was when I had the idea from above given to me. That thing was my name I would use for the brand, which us Unshackled Faith Apparel! And from there more things were downloaded to me. On what kind of shirts I would be selling which are faith inspired quotes and scriptures. That had visual pictures on some shirts as well. As the brand is created help those in their life who may be struggling in a certain area of life. And also who may just need a reminder of why they are believers of the Way! As well set a fire in them that may have been dampened, and to inspire, plus encourage growth in their faithwalk. I believe what sets me apart from others is that through my brand it’s shows that I truly care and want to see others grow, or come to knowledge of truth. What I’m must proud if us taking the leap of faith to step out in unknown territory, and the willingness to still learn to add more to my craft and brand. I my followers to know that the brand is all about them and helping to fix whatever they have a need in to be their as a support team that pushes them to be a better you, to be encouraged, inspired. For the UNFA brand will allow you to be self expressive. And to show you that there is a better way, and that who the SON makes free is free indeed as they think about coming to the truth being apart of the UNFA family to know about having a relationship with MESSIAH. To become followers of the Way will lead them into a blessed life that will have its trials but will be well worth it in the end.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
The lessons I am still learning g to unlearn is the behavior of doing the same things as before. Which does not allow for growth in my business. I say this bc in the online clothing brand industry. Things changed from let’s say 7 years ago on hoe to reach your avatar or audience. To now on how you must communicate to the people in that audience of your brand. Now we have to be more creative and add more of that thing to catch the attention and keep the attention of future buyers and customers. Who I like to call UNFA holy family, bc the way you show your brand to speak their language and the fine details you put in every post, pictures of the brand plus your ads. It shows how serious you’re about them and your brand.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Knowing the audience your communicating with to serve them. And keeping them interested by, emails, text, ads, and daily clothing post. Is the strategy that’s helping my UNFA brand to attract more potential customers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://unshackledfaithapprl.wixsite.com/unshackledfaithappar
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unshackledfaithapparel?igsh=YXQ1dmpkZGtkYmZn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Unshackledfaithapparel?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Twitter: https://x.com/UNFA777?t=be2igEN9Vcy3m2wski0YoA&s=09
- Other: https://unshackled-faith-apparel.printify.me/products
Image Credits
All image credit belongs solely to Sam Craig Sr