Every December, I exchange pleasantries with Jerry from Nashville, TN at a mutual friend’s x-mas party. I have always known Jerry to be a passionate musician, but it was not until this recent Holiday exchange that I really had the opportunity to get to know him. Let me just say that we connected on every level (i.e. economics, society, plight of man, beyond). He’s one of those souls you can start a conversation with and suddenly (2 hours later) have your better half pulling you out the door to go home.
During his annual visit through Cleveland, I learned that Jerry will be stopping in at Fat Fish Blue in Cleveland on Dec. 26th at 8PM to join in with a few others for their open mic night.
Check him out if you get a chance! Here is Jerry’s website for more info.
CNN: Skin-Deep: Racism in America
I was watching Paula Zahn Now: SKIN DEEP: Racism in America and took a few moments to reflect on my day-to-day experiences with it. Hey, it’s simply not going to go away any time soon and it is and will contiue to be in my neighborhood. Every year I go to our street party and inevitably there are a few people who say the “N” word, make short-sighted comments like “get rid of all the Muslims,” or make a crack against gay people. Interestingly, I never seem to hear them say anything about people of Asian decent, but I am sure they do behind closed doors. That’s just the way it is and we all have to find a way to meaningfully coexist and educate.
On Paula’s show there was one Jewish person who made some great comments. First, as a remedy towards to a different future he called on everyone to not let other people get away with racist comments. Call them out (meaningfully) and challenge them with questions and a different perspective. This is somewhat difficult during social settings, but if you don’t want to hear it, then let people know where you stand. Hopefully over time they and their kids will learn something. Like advertising, it’s the 11th, 12th or whatever time that someone might actually hear what you are saying and take action or change. Second, I really liked his perspective on white people who say blacks “just need to get over it.” As a Jew, he pointed out that NO ONE asks him to “just get over the Holocaust.” Hmm, interesting.
Recently I purchased a Public Enemy hat because I like giving back to those who support KOYONO. I am amazed at the reaction I get wearing it and how it reveals people’s true colors. For example, the other night I did some late night grocery shopping and while checking out was asked by a white woman in her 40s if “I am Public Enemy.” “Excuse me?” I replied. She then asked, “you know - your hat?” like I was missing something. “Oh, Public Enemy. No I’m not, but I believe in their cause and frankly love their music. Also, I support them because they buy our stuff,” I explained. “What cause?” she replied. I further explained that Public Enemy’s songs are about the social injustices around minorities (blacks) and they are really promoting equality. She commented, “they must be criminals.” I could not help but laugh and asked if she knew of Flavor Flav, which she had. She then went on to comment, “he is probably a criminal.” Then she and her coworker both started laughing. I replied that they were not criminals, paid and left. Is racism still alive in my neighborhood - yes. Am I going to stop wearing my Public Enemy hat - no way. In fact, I think I am going to wear it into my next business meeting to see what happens. Who knows, the next time I buy groceries I might wear some God Smack paraphernalia to see if they call me a Satan worshipper and sinner! 
Fight the power!
Gizmodo has been good to KOYONO as they have featured us a few times for our BlackCoat-T and BlackCoat Made for iPod line. That said, when I saw this indicating that we are “way too expensive,” I felt compelled to reply (BTW - not sure if they will approve my comment). They feature the Kenpo Jacket Made for iPod ($149.95) and play it off as a refreshing low priced option (which it appears to be). There have been others who question the location of where we place the iPod controls, and we sit back and think it is so interesting how split people are around the whole “wearable technology” space. They are either form/fashion or function/techno centric. Interestingly, the form/fashion crowd tolerate the price points of indy fashion, while the function/techno folks are bent on value (for good reason when you spend more of your mulah on gadgets than clothes). All I can say is that choice is good, and price, er, ah goes deeper than just product. I just wish Gizmodo would have mentioned that we have a $169 Made for iPod coat, which really is not “way-too-expensive” based on their valuations. Then again, $20 bucks is a lot from an iTunes budget perspective; so here (OUTER20) is a 20% coupon for any KOYOYO outerwear product ;-).
KOYONO is pleased to announce that it has teamed up with digital life retailer InkStop, to stock and sell our BlackCoat Work with built-in iPod controls. InkStop is a start-up here in Cleveland whose mission is to be “your one stop for digital consumables.” They have a nice selection of iPod accessories and continue to provide new ways of serving people’s digital life needs. For last minute holiday shoppers, they asked to take in our line of wearable technology (BlackCoat Work) and are offering it an unbelievable price of $129.
If you have wanted to try one on before buying, here is a great chance to do just that. You can find BlackCoat Work at InkStop’s Solon, Independence, Mentor and Mayfield Hts locations. Click here for details on their store locations.
I had an interesting conversation tonight and it brought me along to choose this picture above. Its amazing how much of GAI can be lost to stress. I try to do things everyday that allow me to keep from stressing out. I travel a lot so for me it comes down to music :: and :: function . If anyone has been to the airport recently they know how much of a pain it can be and how long the lines are. I need something that has basic style when traveling through the MIDWEST and something that’s functional when hitting up the WEST COAST. Whatever it is they both have to be able to adjust to my mood :: inspired :: intense :: rubic :: whatever. Whatever keeps you balanced I hope you find it, but for me …. I need no extra weight/buttons/glamour/show… just MY MFI.
“I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious” - Albert Einstein
Hands down, iPod is the best. However, there are times when directly interfacing with you iPod when in transit from A to B can be a hassle.
This happens to be time when GAI collect thoughts, visions, makes decisions, take a break and seek inspriation. Having to take your iPod out in order to switch songs, increase volume or turn the it off when you are in the middle of your flow interrupts critical synapse. You should not have to think about it when you are thinking enough as it is.
That’s why MFI.
Source: Guy Kawasaki’s Blog
Here is a great article from The Mercury News on VCs going to start-ups. This quote from the article pretty much sums it all up:
“I think they’re will be a place and time when I’ll be a VC again, and I’ll remember the clueless things I did before,” including asking a struggling entrepreneur to meet him at his expensive hotel during a cross-country trip, rather than drive to the startup.
“You don’t have to be in the trenches with them, but a lot of entrepreneurs resent VCs because they think they’re disconnected from reality. Now, I see why.”
In general, there are so many people that want us to come up with more products, have a website like Nordstroms, or hear their “great new idea” for us. We love to get feedback and their intentions are good. It’s just interesting how most people just can’t imagine all the things one has to deal with when doing a start-up. Strategy, ideas, and fun are luxuries.
We have just added our newest offering to KOYONO.com, called BlackCoat JFK. This design was inspired by the last trip Jay and I made to Manhattan. We saw lots of very different types of people all wearing this same cut of jacket. Cropped at the waist, button closure and made of denim or a tight cotton. Web developers, designers, architects, and welders were all waering this jacket that spans the space between on-the-job and business casual (somehting we call business active). We’ve added our own subtle flair to this piece and crafted it out of a soft-as-your-favorite-old-jeans cotton that has been treated with a nanotechnology process by Nano-Tex making it waterproof, stain and static resistant and rugged as all get out. We’re offering this jacket for $129, so many professions can afford it. It comes in black (of course) and a soft beige we call SandStone.
