Conversations with Jonathan Garvey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Garvey

Hi Jonathan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
We started with our nonprofit, Feed A Family. When COVID hit, we opened a community kitchen in Tlaxcala, Mexico. With grocery stores, public transportation, and much of the state shut down, many people lost access to food and basic necessities. A law even barred anyone who appeared 60 or older from entering grocery stores for their own protection. That was all the motivation we needed to act. Since then, our kitchen has served over 70,000 meals and continues to operate today.

Unsure how to fund the operation long-term, my brother Joseph and I turned to selling artisanal goods—baja hoodies, ponchos, and blankets. We traveled to Contla, the home of the sarape blanket, searching for artisans. During COVID, many were out of work, and partnerships naturally formed. We fell in love with the process. What started as sourcing products soon became designing them from scratch. We connected with not only artisans but also fashion designers and seamstresses who helped bring our vision to life.

Our mission is Keeping Others Warm—through our community kitchen and our handcrafted clothing. Every garment is designed in-house, and our blankets and coats are woven using the same foot-pedal loom methods artisans have relied on for over 500 years. Our mission comes before anything else.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but that’s what makes the journey meaningful. When we started our nonprofit, Feed A Family, during COVID, we had no blueprint—just a deep sense of responsibility. The biggest challenge was simply making it work. With grocery stores and transportation shut down, and laws preventing older individuals from shopping for themselves, we had to act fast. Sourcing food, funding the kitchen, and navigating the uncertainty of a global crisis was a constant struggle.

When we transitioned into selling artisanal goods to sustain the nonprofit, we faced a different set of challenges. Finding artisans was one thing, but learning the ins and outs of production, logistics, and scaling a business was another. We didn’t just want to resell—we wanted to create something meaningful. Designing from scratch meant trial and error, delays, and unexpected costs. There were moments when it felt like we had taken on too much.

But every challenge reinforced our mission. Whether it was feeding families or preserving traditional craftsmanship, we kept pushing forward. The struggles made us more resourceful, and ultimately, they shaped who we are today.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At our core, we blend tradition with purpose. Pancho’s Blanket specializes in handcrafted Mexican textiles and apparel, designed in-house and created in collaboration with skilled artisans. Our products aren’t just inspired by tradition—they’re made using foot-pedal loom techniques that have been practiced for over 500 years.

We focus on wool coats, blankets, and repurposed fibers, crafting one-of-a-kind pieces with a story behind every thread. While small-batch production ensures quality and uniqueness, it also means that some of our most loved designs are gone forever once they sell out. I often hear, “What about this coat?” or “Will you bring that one back?”—but our creativity moves faster than our production, making each release truly special.

Every detail matters. From the sourcing of materials to the final stitch, we create products that reflect both craftsmanship and cultural heritage. But what truly sets us apart is the deeper impact—our work directly supports artisans, sustains our nonprofit Feed A Family, and helps preserve traditional craftsmanship that might otherwise fade away.

What started as a way to fund a community kitchen has grown into something much bigger. We’re not just selling blankets—we’re building connections, creating opportunities, and keeping traditions alive, one piece at a time.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I am a terrible reader, I must admit. I’ll skim a book and get the meat and potatoes and then move on. My method is not for everyone.

Some books I strongly recommend though that I finished at least 75% of lol: Atomic Habits, Shoe Dog (really inspired me), The Courage To Be Disliked, The Lord of the Rings (of course), and the Bible.

The only book I consistently read every day is the Bible. There is wisdom, a narrative, and history. I love history. The principles drive our mission as well, doing unto others as you would have them do to you, for instance.

Pricing:

• $40 shirts
• $125 Hoodies
• $135 blankets
• $300 coats

Contact Info:

• Website: https://panchosblanket.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/panchosblanket/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PanchosBlanket
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/jgarvey7/