2024-03-30 13:51:54
Almost got into a fight over jumpers
Luke’s sportswear business Lucartoonies has already celebrated its second birthday. Thinking back to the very beginning, Lukas himself is surprised by the emergence of his business – he did not plan it at all, because he connected his life more with sports.
In his youth, he practiced judo, and ten years ago he discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which is based on wrestling moves.
Jiu-jitsu fascinated him, so Lukas started looking for sports-related paraphernalia. However, I couldn’t find anything that was really stylish and suitable for wearing not only during training. I had to solve the problem myself.
“I drew a sketch of how I imagined the world of jiu-jitsu. I took it to a tailor shop, where they made a sweater with my sketch. I didn’t expect much from it, I made a jumper for myself.
But when people saw it, they started asking where I bought it. I said that I didn’t buy it anywhere – I made it myself. Then the question immediately followed: “Could you do it for me?” I made one other jumper”, – for the portal lrytas.lt Luke said.
Since his training friends seemed interested in Luke’s creations, he decided to take a risk: just before Christmas, he made fifteen jumpers and brought them to training.
“I invested a lot of money in the production, I was afraid that no one might like it, but I decided to take a risk – I brought it to the training to show the athletes. It was very funny – I remember practice was supposed to start in five minutes, and everyone came running to me and almost started getting mad about those jumpers.
I had fun and felt good because I put in a lot of work that others don’t see. That’s when I realized that I need to continue this matter, maybe something will grow”, said the Kaunian.
“There is an essential connection between sport and my business. If it weren’t for jiu-jitsu, I probably wouldn’t be in this work. I think that an athlete should train not only the body, but also the mind, so I want to create and pay tribute to sports,” he added.
He dressed both karate and judoka
That was the beginning of Luke’s business – as soon as he made new clothes, he would bring them to training, where his friends would buy them. Later, he started trading in competitions.
“Then I thought: why stop at jiu-jitsu, if I can grow in all combat sports?” I also started making clothes related to my old love of judo – that’s how I returned to the judo community, where I’m not a stranger,” he smiled.
This year, the entrepreneur also started producing clothes with karate motifs, he also dressed the athletes of one muay thai club.
“It’s nice when people notice when I can express my love for combat sports through creativity. I have plans to get into boxing too – there are no limits. I want people to be stylish, imbued with new emotions, so that the clothes are suitable not only for training, but you can walk with them boldly everywhere,” said the Kaunian.
During this period, Lukas also found another hobby – waterboarding. We managed to make clothes for fans of this sport as well.
“It’s nice that my business is not limited to combat sports,” said the interviewer.
From an idea to a garment is a long way
Lukas said that he draws as much as his imagination and inspiration allow, but the most beautiful will probably always be the first drawing that started the business.
“I drew my entire sports path in it, the drawing has a lot of details: you can see travels, food, friends, kimono, laundry, medicine, injuries, plasters.” This is how I imagine the world of jiu-jitsu,” the interviewer smiled.
However, the other drawings are really impressive and cheerful, bright, as if they stepped out of a cartoon. Luke’s brand name “Lucartoonies” is also related to animation – it is a word consisting of three words: the creator’s name, the English word “art” which means art, and “cartoons” which means animation.
“That’s how I would describe my drawing style: cartoon characters, lots of bright colors. Of course, in order to reach a larger segment of people, you have to be flexible, after all, not everyone likes such screaming designs, so sometimes you need to create very minimal designs. However, I also want to add my accent to minimalism – if it’s a small detail, I want it to be bright, to draw attention,” said the guy.
From the idea of a drawing to the creation of a real garment is a long and difficult journey.
“I decided to choose a more difficult path: I draw on handmade sweaters and t-shirts, instead of ready-made ones. I select the materials myself, I have direct suppliers, I put a lot of work into it.
The process is as follows: first I choose the fabric – I work with natural fabrics, cotton. Then, together with the constructor, I construct the model of the garment. Then I go to the tailor shop – I don’t sew myself, that’s the only thing I don’t do myself. When I sew the sweater, I go to the design part – I draw a sketch through a computer program and transfer everything to the fabric,” the interviewer shared.
The sketch can be transferred to the fabric using different techniques. One of them is by pressing the dye directly onto the fabric. Another technique is to transfer the design onto a special film and heat it onto the material with a thermopress.
At the moment, Lukas already produces not only jumpers, but also winter and summer hats, accessories, bags, T-shirts. He is also considering the production of trousers and sports suits. Produces clothes for both children and adults.
“When I see someone in the street with my sweater, I get unreal feelings, it’s nice when people appreciate. It stands above business, it’s the nicest thing,” said the Kaunian.
Big plans for the future
Although having your own business, which is appreciated by others, is a great joy, but an entrepreneur also has to face challenges. Especially when you work alone.
“When you have a small business, you face challenges every day. There may be delays in production, there are times when design creation is also stuck because there is no inspiration to draw. Here you work much more than nine to five – you work all the time, especially on weekends when you travel to events,” Lukas admitted.
However, other people who support, buy clothes, give compliments, write a nice message always lead us forward.
“It’s motivating when everything moves forward, because I really put in the work. There are all kinds of days, and darker ones – after all, it’s a small business, I’m a lone wolf in it. But then I pull myself together and move forward. After all, you have to do something in life, you can’t sit still – so why not do something you like? And if you still manage to survive, I think you’ve won the lottery,” he assured.
And this year, even more big, but exciting worries are foreseen – the creator plans to open a workshop.
“I managed to win the project – I will open a workshop. I am not going to sew it myself, in my eyes, it is a very difficult job, I will leave it to the professionals. I will be engaged in technical filling in the workshop. I want flexibility, creative motivation,” said the interviewer.
Another goal this year is to open an online store.
“I mostly trade in competitions. Now I’m going to try to get my brand’s e-store off the ground. You need to grow, advertise more, come out of your shell, because for two years I was only in my circle. Now I’m ready to storm, maybe even subjugate more people to my team. I want to share positive things and see where it leads,” Lukas looks to the future with hope.
2024-03-30 13:51:54