The Virginian-Pilot
©
KEMPSVILLE
Matt Harden had an entrepreneurial fire burning within him that he just couldn't quell.
So the former attorney decided to ignite that spark and allow it to shine.
Harden and his wife, Megan - both 32 and 1994 graduates of Greenbrier Christian Academy in Chesapeake - are used to swimming against the tide. The high school sweethearts married at age 18 and had their daughter, Haley, three years later.
As Matt pursued his bachelor's degree from Old Dominion University and law degree from Regent University, he thought he was accomplishing all of his life goals.
But, his entrepreneurial spirit kept nagging away.
"We had always wanted to start a company," said Matt, who kept a business journal since his college years. "It'd been ingrained in me my whole life."
After attending Haley's orientation at Greenbrier Christian Academy, a private school with a dress code, the Cromwell Park couple decided they wanted to create a high quality line of children's clothing.
"We went looking for clothes for Haley and looked online, but couldn't find a brand for kids," said Megan. "We saw baby, toddler and adult clothes, but noticed a big need for elementary age children."
Matt quit his job in civil litigation and the couple threw themselves into their business, Tommywants, which officially launched late last month.
Tommywants features boy's (He-Crabs) and girl's (She-Crabs) Sofshell Polos and unisex D-ring belts. The shirts, made of 100 percent preshrunk cotton, cost $34 each and belts are $26.
Boys shirts come in two colors: sun wash red and snow crab white. Girls shirts are available in steamed pink and buoy blue. The shirts range in size from 8 to 20.
The coastal-inspired preppy clothes and accessories feature an embroidered patch logo with a crab and inside each shirt is a tag with an ode to the Outer Banks Highway 12 sign.
The line, which they plan to expand to include khakis and skirts for boys and girls, is currently sold in a store in South Carolina, but the Hardens are hoping other local retailers will pick it up.
Their online retail site, www.tommywants.com, will soon be taking orders for shipping.
Matt's ideas are still flowing as the young brand takes flight.
"We are establishing the Tommywants to Give Back program which will offer a discount to parents at Greenbrier Christian Academy with money back to the school and Tommywants Beacons of Hope to spotlight amazing kids from around the country...wearing our clothes of course," said Matt.
"Our goal is to grow into a complete lifestyle brand for kids," said Matt who keeps the focus of Tommywants on encouraging others.
"It's about kids pursuing their dreams and finding out why they were put on this earth," said Megan.
Sandra J. Pennecke, Pennecke@cox.net
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Good For Tommy
"Are You Crazy", I can appreciate wanting to save money on clothing for kids. They grow so fast, it's tough to keep them in them. Personally, I don't see a problem with what Tommywants is offering, but I can understand someone's concern over price. We all want to pay as little as possible - what would be a more appropriate price point for you, do you think? If we're lucky, someone at Tommywants will be listening. It sounds like this is their first go-round at it, maybe with feedback from folks like you they'll continue to refine and get better.
I like the idea - I don't have kids myself, but I can see this being a big seller with the kids themselves. Allowing the kids to provide input into clothing and design, for instance, would make it even more popular with the end user (and their parents - who wouldn't want to be able to say "my kid designed that"?). And I like the idea of giving back ... from the article, I got the sense that this was something the company intended to do all along, not just because it was en vogue, or good for business.
Kudos to them for stepping up and doing something. I applaud them.