We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Thaddeus Hoffman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Thaddeus below.
Alright, Thaddeus thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
The company name SibKin Family Apparel & More was intentional and a very important decision for me. Originally, I had the idea of offering affordable apparel for big & tall men. I approached three of my friends and presented my idea to them during one of our guy’s trips after losing one of my siblings in a car accident. They did not think I was serious, so I decided to explore my interests on my own. The entire process was new to me, and I wanted to make sure whatever I decided was exactly what I wanted.
First, I brainstormed on words that truly represented my values and wanted the brand to embody family. Over the years, I have learned the importance of networking and have found that my purpose is to connect people. Therefore, I wanted something that stood out and could be worn by everybody.
Next, I thought about all the diverse groups of people that I interact with daily and decided I wanted to accommodate all sizes (newborn-6XL). My target audience includes the whole family and embraced the broad concept of individuals not having to be related by blood to be family. This led to the addition of “Family Apparel & More” to SibKin in case I ever wanted to offer more than clothing.
I could go on and on; however, SibKin Family Apparel & More just felt right. It was descriptive, inclusive, and reflected all the values of connection and unity. I knew by it being appealing there would be many questions that came along as popularity grew. In addition, I have always wanted people around me from diverse backgrounds to be united. It was the perfect idea to celebrate diversity with a little personalization.
So, that is the story behind the name. It is more than a T-shirt. It is more than a brand. It is a lifestyle.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
There is a lot that brought me here. I think I can share some of it.
My name is Thaddeus Hoffman, owner, and founder of SibKin Family Apparel and More, LLC. My journey into the world of apparel began with bringing unity to people who uplift familial bonds 24/7. The inspiration stemmed from my own experiences growing up and not having a connection with much of my paternal family. With that being said, I developed my own definition of what family looks like to me.
At SibKin Family Apparel & More, we offer a range of clothing that is designed to bring people closer with unlimited color combinations. I love it when an entire family purchases different colors and designs and takes a picture. Some even have their own photoshoot. It is my belief that what sets us apart is our customer service. A lot of customers contact us not knowing what design or color combination of clothing they want to purchase, so I am blessed to be able to walk them through the selection process for an easy and enjoyable experience. It really helps to retain customers by listening to their wants and going above and beyond to make sure they get exactly what they hope for.
I endeavor to use this same philosophy while meeting with my counseling clients. This was instilled through the classes taken to obtain my B. A. in Sociology, Master of Rehabilitation Counseling, and Master of Liberal Arts (sociology concentration) degrees.
Potential customers, followers, and fans should know that at SibKin Family Apparel and More, we are a family. We are passionate about creating and offering apparel at an affordable price that always celebrates diversity through color and connection. Whether you are looking to just support a black owned business, match a pair of shoes, or personalize clothing for a vacation, we are here to support you every step of the way.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Our reputation within the SibKin Family Apparel & More market has been built on a foundation of dedication to quality, customer satisfaction, word of mouth, and transparency. As I stated earlier, I am connected to a lot of diverse groups of people who always see me wearing my brand. Self-promotion is so important for a small black business owner. As a Lecturer & Student Success Mentor at Auburn University at Montgomery, therapist at The Solace Group, and member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. I am always able to be myself and be relatable to potential and returning customers. Overall, our commitment to excellence has been instrumental in building the brand over the past two years.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The primary source of new clients for SibKin Family Apparel & More has been word-of-mouth and recommendations from satisfied customers. The support from our customers has been amazing! The excitement they express when becoming a part of the family is always surprising. Customers take to their social media platforms and share their experiences with friends, family, and colleagues. This always raises awareness of the brand and brings in new clients. We are all connected in some way; therefore, with each post we have been able to grow our base and have started to reach a wider audience. Once the decision is made to grow the business a little more, a website will be built. Until then, we will converse with as many customers as possible to continue providing a personalized shopping experience.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- SibKin’s number: 334-439-0187
- Instagram: @sibkinapparel
- Other: Tik Tok: @sibkinapparel