”We have worked to position our voice and brand as being about more than “just another t-shirt”

Compete Every Day® is a lifestyle brand that provides the fuel necessary to overcome life’s adversities. It is street wear inspired by sport. Sport wear inspired by Champions.

Jake Thompson’s simple idea to Compete for one’s life, and selling t-shirts from the trunk of his car, has morphed into an international lifestyle brand embraced by professional athletes, celebrities, & individuals motivated to live above the status quo.

Compete Every Day® is community built on action by individuals who refuse to quit short of victory. Inside of every one of us resides a competitor. Their goal is to pour jet fuel onto that competitor’s inner fire.

BusinessInterviews.com: How did you come up with the concept behind Compete Every Day®?

Jake: I was in the process of rebranding my marketing consulting business and this idea of competing for all areas of your life – work, health, goals, dreams, relationships – continually came up. I started exploring the message and once I saw how it was accepted and received by people I talked to, I searched for the proper channel to share the message. My best friend recommended I look at the humble beginnings of the brand Life is Good and consider apparel as my best route. I chose to invest the money I’d been saving for an adventure vacation to New Zealand into an entrepreneurial adventure. The rest is history!

BusinessInterviews.com: Can you talk about the process of growing the business from the back of your car in 2011 to a six-figure sales brand in just over 18 months without any outside funding?

Jake: It’s been a relentless pursuit. I have had some great team members and friends contribute to our success over the last two and a half years. We have worked hard to position our voice and brand as being about more than “just another t-shirt” – there are plenty of companies that make great shirts. We want to be a great message that inspires action, and we were committed to making the message first. Our sales were driven through our website and blog, with a strong push offline through grassroots marketing and events. The online & offline pairing have created powerful opportunities for our team.

BusinessInterviews.com: How has your previous background and experience helped contribute to the vision and success of the company so far?

Jake: My previous work experience allowed me to “not know any better.” I hadn’t been in a position where failure or setbacks had taught me to play conservatively. I was constantly experimenting and if something didn’t work, I’d try something else. That mindset has been invaluable with growing and adapting Compete Every Day. The other great help was my experience in building small business websites and activity on social media – both have allowed me to cut costs by doing the work in-house vs. outsourcing.

BusinessInterviews.com: Do you think that having athletes and celebrities wearing Compete Every Day® clothing and accessories has actively helped increase the visibility and message of the brand?

Jake: It has. It’s been awesome to see how much the brand has caught fire within professional athlete circles by guys buying the gear, wearing it, and their teammates wanting it and then ordering. It creates a sense of “acceptance” for the brand that others looking can see we are about more than just the bottom line.

BusinessInterviews.com: What advice would you give to someone who is struggling to get motivated and needs a boost?

Jake: Remember why you started. We’ve had plenty of rough days – entrepreneurship is about riding the rollarcoaster, even in the bottom when it looks bleak. You have to focus on what drove you to start, soak on that moment, and use it to fuel you forward.

BusinessInterviews.com: If I could grant you one business related wish right now, what would you ask for?

Jake: Great question! Our biggest need now is national press / exposure beyond our current audience and community. We have received acceptance and are continuing to grow in the athlete space, but are always on the lookout for ways to introduce Compete Every Day to publications and other feature opportunities. We are continually experimenting to find ways to introduce our brand and message to a) those seeking a life above “normal” and b) those in need of motivation and fire for whatever life has them facing.