Daily Inspiration: Meet Rob Arnold

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rob Arnold

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I had a couple ideas for designs back in 2014
I was going to sell them. There weren’t a whole lot of designs incorporating Kansas. And my friend suggested that I just start doing them myself. We ended up going into business together. So in 2015 we started We Got Your Back Apparel. I came up with about 7 designs and created a website.

That same year the Royals won the World Series. And that happened on day of the dead. I came up with a design and we made it our logo. That’s the significance of the Sugar Skull some people thought it was different and it is. That’s why I love it. We are all different and then Disney/Pixar and several other movies made it mainstream. So more people love it now and appreciate it!

That year we got into Made In KC started doing events. Next year we did more events got into a couple more stores. Did Holiday Boutique, Holiday Mart, Santa Cali Gon Days, and many more we got up to about 20 events a year.
Next year we got into some Hallmarks, a couple other boutiques, and still doing events.

Then in 2017 we were looking for a brick and mortar. Looked at a ton of locations. But decided on Lenexa Public Market it was a up and coming place. More like an incubator for local and newer businesses. We opened there on September 1st and were supposed to be there 1 month. We ended up being only 1 of 2 businesses that started on September 1st and still open right before we left on July 1st. Including anchor spaces.

2019 to backtrack we were up to 35 stores around the city. Including 19 Cosentino’s Price Chopper’s.
Then 2020 Chiefs won the Super Bowl and then Covid hit.
Like everyone just trying to make it through.

Then 2021 I got a call from someone about a new retail space I’d been keeping an eye on was empty.
So we moved 3 miles to 7940 Santa Fe Drive Overland Park KS. In Downtown Overland Park.

It was fantastic right next door to The Peanut in Downtown Overland Park. Absolutely loved it and still do. Now experiencing both Lenexa and OP Farmers Markets just hit our stride. I bought out my business partner and luckily the Chiefs, Royals, Sporting, KC Current all have been exciting.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Running your own business can be brutal, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned and continuously improved from both successful and unsuccessful ventures.

Everything was going great until March 17, 2020. Like many businesses, we faced significant challenges and had to adapt swiftly. We lost nearly 28 stores we were operating in and had to make difficult decisions.

Fortunately, I had already started taking on custom orders shortly after we began. These orders came from small businesses, events, bands, and promotional accessories. This new revenue stream proved instrumental in helping us navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following this success, we opened our new store and I made the decision to purchase my business partner’s share.

It’s certainly not an easy journey, but we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be celebrating our 10th year in business in just a couple of months.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
So, I’ve had a diverse work experience, ranging from dishwasher to first supervisor at 18. I’ve also babysat, sold newspapers, bartended, DJed, produced videos, worked at a bottle plant, managed multiple jobs, owned a part of a restaurant, and even shined shoes at a country club. My first experience in the apparel industry was at the Kansas City Brigade.

Over the past 15 years, I’ve focused on DJing and running my own business. Currently, I only DJ once a year now on the 1st Friday before the Chiefs 1st game. Nobody ever did Red Friday before in Downtown OP but now we do now.
I absolutely love being my own boss, but it can also be intimidating because you’re solely responsible for making both good and bad decisions. However, hopefully, you have more good decisions than bad.

My shop is a boutique and I sell apparel and a couple other things like art prints, stadium bags, stickers, etc . And then everything else are local vendors that sell in my shop. I love our community in KC unlike any other city I’ve been to. Truly we are 1 KC.

I’m also on the downtown Overland Park partnership (DOPP)
DOPP executive board Vice President
DOPP Board
OP Chamber Small Business council.

What does success mean to you?
Being healthy, happy, and maintaining a positive attitude are crucial for overall well-being. Surrounding yourself with supportive and positive individuals, such as family, friends, further enhances your happiness. In my opinion, finding someone who reciprocates your love and shares your aspirations for success is a double bonus.

Fortunately, I’ve been married for 16 years and together for 22. We have a wonderful friends, family, and two adorable pups.

I genuinely and as clichéd as it may sound, I simply want to bring joy to people’s lives. Whether it’s helping them find their ideal, incredibly soft clothing, a captivating photo, an artistic piece, a decorative coaster, or a pair of stylish earrings, my goal is to make you happy.

Pricing:

• Shirts $32
• Hats $32
• Hoodies $48
• Coasters $9

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Wegotyourbackapparel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wegotyourbackapparel
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wegotyourbackapparel