Wow I just checked out that brand, and to tell you the truth I don't get it. His Tees are listed for at least $35. Not to mention it was just a nickname he turned into a clothing line. What would people find personal about wearing someone elses nickname?
I don't get the cupcake thing either. Is it that people just want something different? Are people really in love with cupcakes? Haha, maybe someone can shed some light. I feel like I could think of something random like that too. Is there something about "Johnny Cupcakes" that I am missing?
It gives me hope though...if you make it they will buy seems to be the rule of thumb for ecommerce apparel. As long as your designs don't suck and your site is sweet, they WILL BUY. Anyone else feel the same validation from Jonny Cupcakes?
Stone
Thread Note: By the way, the topic "title" here was done totally in "jest". Nobody was calling Johnny Cupcakes a bigfatfraud. It was just meant to "spur discussion"
Last edited by Rodney; February 8th, 2008 at 10:11 AM.
Wow I just checked out that brand, and to tell you the truth I don't get it. His Tees are listed for at least $35. Not to mention it was just a nickname he turned into a clothing line. What would people find personal about wearing someone elses nickname?
I don't get the cupcake thing either. Is it that people just want something different? Are people really in love with cupcakes? Haha, maybe someone can shed some light. I feel like I could think of something random like that too. Is there something about "Johnny Cupcakes" that I am missing?
It gives me hope though...if you make it they will buy seems to be the rule of thumb for ecommerce apparel. As long as your designs don't suck and your site is sweet, they WILL BUY. Anyone else feel the same validation from Jonny Cupcakes?
Stone
You could think of something random... but it would be inspired by Johnny Cupcakes. Who did Johnny get his idea from?
And that's the secret to his recipe. His shirts are a novelty item. Plus it helps that he has his shirts on a chic st. in Boston which makes people think there is something to this. His presentation is fantastic and original as well. Also, he is unforgetable. I've looked at a ton of t-shirt sites while researching for my business. NONE stand out at much as his and perhaps christian audigier (a man who gets $140 for a t-shirt).
You could think of something random... but it would be inspired by Johnny Cupcakes. Who did Johnny get his idea from?
And that's the secret to his recipe. His shirts are a novelty item. Plus it helps that he has his shirts on a chic st. in Boston which makes people think there is something to this. His presentation is fantastic and original as well. Also, he is unforgetable. I've looked at a ton of t-shirt sites while researching for my business. NONE stand out at much as his and perhaps christian audigier (a man who gets $140 for a t-shirt).
I completely disagree with the originality thing. If I came up with something that had nothing to do with Johnny Cupcakes but was only similar in its randomness, it would be inspired by something in my life not by his company. It's not like I would start "Billy Bubblegum". I just wouldn't think someone would want to buy a shirt inspired by a fleeting incident in my life.
I can't get why people want a cupcake and crossbones on their chest. What is the association? What is the association with that and his nickname for gods sake? Haha, the consumers are nuts!
But I suppose that is what we call brilliant branding. And to be honest I would not think twice about his company if his tees weren't $35 dollars minimum.
Johnny Cupcakes prints a one or two color silk screen on a black american apparel tee (what so many of us are doing) and sells it for $35 (what probably none of us are doing). Not to mention it is a cupcake and crossbones!
I checked out Christian Audigier, and although I did not particularly like his tees I can see why they are so expensive. There is a lot of complicated printing going on and real ART all over those things. I'd like to see him do a cupcake shirt.
I don't see the difference between Johnny Cupcakes and a company like Snorgtees or Bustedtees except that the general population gets something out of Snorg or Busted (laughter). Until I checked out his site I don't think I would have any response to Johnny Cupcakes. Now that I have, he couldn't pay me to wear one.
If I came home in a Johnny Cupcake shirt my mother would say, "what the hell does that mean?" and I would reply "I have no clue, but it cost me $35" She would then proceed to slap me really hard. My girlfriend would soon join in.
Sorry just not a big fan.
Stone
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I don't see the difference between Johnny Cupcakes and a company like Snorgtees or Bustedtees except that the general population gets something out of Snorg or Busted (laughter). Until I checked out his site I don't think I would have any response to Johnny Cupcakes. Now that I have, he couldn't pay me to wear one.
If I came home in a Johnny Cupcake shirt my mother would say, "what the hell does that mean?" and I would reply "I have no clue, but it cost me $35" She would then proceed to slap me really hard. My girlfriend would soon join in.
Stone
Give Johnny a break, who else in these forums had the guts to open a t-shirt store on a street with high end retailers (who probably were all laughing in his face when he started) and ALSO open a bakery with delicious pastries to further boost the brand. And the thing about cupcakes are that they give most people warm childhood memories.....not to mention an equally fabulous sugar high!
You may not get the concept, but this kid is a marketing GENIUS. Show some respect, and ask yourself.......would you have the guts to do all of this to make YOUR venture a success?
I can't get why people want a cupcake and crossbones on their chest. What is the association? What is the association with that and his nickname for gods sake? Haha, the consumers are nuts!
But I suppose that is what we call brilliant branding. And to be honest I would not think twice about his company if his tees weren't $35 dollars minimum.
Yes, that is called "branding"
Same reason why a $2 blank t-shirt can sell for $25+ if you add a nike swoosh to it.
Branding and establishing yourself as something that people want to associate themselves with is key to getting the pricetag you want for your products.
Give Johnny a break, who else in these forums had the guts to open a t-shirt store on a street with high end retailers (who probably were all laughing in his face when he started) and ALSO open a bakery with delicious pastries to further boost the brand. And the thing about cupcakes are that they give most people warm childhood memories.....not to mention an equally fabulous sugar high!
You may not get the concept, but this kid is a marketing GENIUS. Show some respect, and ask yourself.......would you have the guts to do all of this to make YOUR venture a success?
He is not a GENIUS, more like lucky in my opinion. If he was a genius he would have started outright trying to sell the Johnny Cupcakes brand, instead it kind of fell into his lap as people seemed to want stuff he made as a joke. Hardly a genius, sorry. If anything, once he figured out how crazy his coustomers are he just took it further and further..the bakery for instance.
And lets not talk about guts, really does anyone on these boards not have guts? We are all mainly entrepreneurs. I have a particularly large amount of guts. Turning a venture into a success does not take guts as much as it does perseverance and confidence and a million other things. It takes guts to start a venture in the first place, but to make it a success, you can have all the guts in the world and it can still fail.
Don't get me wrong I do give him credit, lots of credit. I just don't like his business and his product.
We are all entitled to our own opinion. I do not deny the fact that he has a successful business. I just think there is a lot more to it before I go and bow down.
I agree I just read an article in entrepeneur on "Johnny Cupcakes" and he has influenced me. He is definitely a marketing genius that created the BUZZ and originality we all need to take a longer look at. Concept is key.
Is there something about "Johnny Cupcakes" that I am missing?
Yes, there's definitely a lot you're missing. Your animosity is getting in the way of clear thought.
I'm not Johnny's greatest fan ("genius" is a very misplaced compliment), but there's a lot he does right: clean graphics, good design, a sense of fun. It's not hard to see why he's doing well; you don't need to like a brand to see why it is succeeding.
Some people just like to be happy. That's why his brand is successful.
Re: Johnny Cupcakes - creative genius, or big fat fraud?
I think he has done an excellent job with the business. I particulary like thaat the shirts are packed like pastries when being shipped off to customers.
Re: Johnny Cupcakes - creative genius, or big fat fraud?
Quote:
Hardly a genius, sorry. If anything, once he figured out how crazy his coustomers are he just took it further and further..the bakery for instance.
Thats the genius part.
He recognized the opportunity and exploited it to the fullest.
Not everyone would have done that. He did.
Business is part skill and part luck anyway. Ask any successful entreprenuer and they'd probably tell you that luck had something to do with their success.
I don't think his shirts are anything out of this world and I probably wouldn't buy one.
But he has built up a loyal following by developing a fun care free brand that people seem like they want to be associated with.
If we can learn anything from him is to believe in your designs, don't give up, think outside the box, know when to take advantage of opportunities, and promote like crazy.
Re: Johnny Cupcakes - creative genius, or big fat fraud?
It is clearly more than luck. He has created a unique brand. His shirts are all limited editions so he's created scarcity which dirves up the price. People buying his shirts can be assured that they are only one of (I don't have the patience to go look at his site, so my details might be wrong) 400 people in the world who have it. He created a brand that is also a lifestyle, and a mystique. Like Jimmy Buffet and his parrothead stuff. People buy into the funky bakery mystique. Is there luck involved? Certainly. But it's mostly hard work and really clever marketing. Lucky is having a nickname like Johnny Cupcake. But he wasn't lucky to create all of his designs, or design his site and store to look like a high end bakery. That's smart. Give credit where credit is due. Lots of t-shirts sell in a similar price range. Aren't the Threadless select $25or $30? And he's convinced people he's a designer. ALL designer t-shirts go for $35-40. Go to Neiman Marcus or any high end department store and see for yourself.
__________________ I am not a woman. I am a man. It's just a nickname. Honest.
Why all the hostility towards Johnny? He's found a niche and is cashing in. I don't believe for a SECOND that you wouldn't do the same.
Yes, the whole thing seems a little ridiculous but is it any more ridiculous than Frank's monkeys or JUICY rear ends?
Just because YOU don't like it doesn't mean it's bad or wrong. Once I finally realized that I don't have to love or wear every design I churn out my life got easier. If people like it and it makes them happy, I'm happy.
$35 for a AA shirt is not all that strange. I've seen Bella *tanks* with a simple rhinestone transfer selling for $40-$50. Take a survey. I bet you there are a few members here who sell their wares at this retail level. Rent for a store on Newbury street ain't cheap.
Give Johnny a break, who else in these forums had the guts to open a t-shirt store on a street with high end retailers (who probably were all laughing in his face when he started)
Well he was actually pretty established long before he went to newbury St. I don't think anyone realizes how many bands actually wear his shirts. so yeah he's a wicked smart kid but he also has a lock on a market a lot of people are trying to get into. I just got a band to take my shirts on tour and 2 more on the way...gas money and free gear can go a long way.
This is a discussion about Johnny Cupcakes - creative genius, or big fat fraud? that was posted in the General T-Shirt Selling Discussion section of the forums.
Re: How Many Tees Should I Buy to start 
