Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Munn.
Aaron, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up primarily in a military family. My father is retired from the Air Force and so because of his career I was able to see many states and many countries throughout my childhood and teen years. As a child, I lived some years in rural Virginia in a single wide trailer with a family of 5 and then in Manhattan in a studio apartment with my single mom.
My time in New York City as a child exposed me to the birth and explosion of hip hop music. I was in love instantly with the music and the culture it cultivated. I remember break dancing in the schoolyard of the high school around the corner from my elementary school – P.S. 87.
Fast forward to age 10. I moved to Jersey with my dad and his wife and shortly after and around 11 years old we moved to Tokyo, Japan. I loved Japan but I missed the States. When I was 14, we moved back and lived in Georgia where my dad would finish his career in the Air Force. After graduating high school, I met my wife, Kelly. Early on, I worked in different jobs from Golf Course Maintenance to selling insurance. It wasn’t until later when I moved back to New York City to finish college that I really discovered my interest in an art career. When I moved back to New York, I attended New School University – Parsons School of Design where I studied a program called Art Marketing. I enjoyed Parsons and I learned so much in just one semester but since I was paying my way through college, I couldn’t see myself staying there two more years.
So I left Parsons and began working full-time in golf retail. I landed a job quickly at the largest Golf superstore in New York City – The New York Golf Center. It turned out that it would be there where I got my real education. A year passed and I was promoted upstairs as an equipment specialist/salesperson and found success. While working at the golf shop I learned so much about the golf business, the apparel business, the hard goods as well as shipping and receiving. Later I would realize how much of a valuable experience that was for me. Two years later I graduated from college – CUNY, Brooklyn College and was promoted to Sales Manager where I would serve as a merchandiser and buyer for a new store in Princeton, New Jersey.
Fast forward again. In 2005 my first child was born and that is what brought us back to Georgia. Since we have been back, I have been teaching art and have been working as a graphic designer and muralist since 2007. In 2013, I started a Junior Art and Golf program in Warner Robins, Georgia. I used My love for visual art and the game of golf and turned it into a popular kids summer camp. Last summer we had over 80 campers. In 2018, I started an urban and golf fashion brand called Trap Golf. From the beginning, it was my idea of bringing the funk and creativity of the hip hop culture to the world of golf and to the game I love. Not to demoralize it but to help bridge the age and race gap in the game. I want to make golf cool so that young people will give it a chance.
But aside from the game, I wanted to make cool shirts and hats for everybody, not just golfers. So yes, I like Trap Music and yes I’ve been in the “Trap” and I’ve taught kids from the “Trap” and I know that in golf there’s what is called trapping the ball which is what golfers have to do in order to strike the ball well and play well. There is also the hustle meaning. My brand is all about hustling for what drives you – what makes you wake up in the morning. When you do that and you hustle well, that called a Trap Move. So our mission is to love people, play golf, and create and appreciate art in all forms. Our vision is to live to make Trap Moves that elevate our status, which includes healthy relationships and intentional living with the gifts we are given. 2019 is our second year and we are so excited about what is ahead for our brand and the many people it will connect.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In regards to Trap Golf, the business has been doing very well from the start. We are by no means close to what we want it to be and yes it’s been a big challenge but that’s what I love about it. I embrace the challenges it brings and I am excited to see it grow especially right here in Atlanta.
Trap Golf – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company is an apparel business. We offer streetwear and golf apparel. We want to make the game of golf cool. We want our brand to be acknowledged on the streets as a heavy contender in the urban fashion and we want to be taken seriously in the world of golf too. Golf has done so much for me in my life that I want to somehow bring those same opportunities to the younger generations so they can learn a game that is hard, a game that can be good for networking strong relationships, and a game that teaches life lessons and that is rich with tradition. I think what sets us apart from other apparel brands is that we are unique – different in a good way. It’s a play on words but it’s also a state of mind. We have a purpose and Vision behind the work. We exist to love all people, play golf, and create and appreciate art in all forms.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is when you have aligned your gifts with being creative and productive. When this happens, money will come and so will people and successful people stay successful by surrounding themselves with other successful people. Like attracts like, iron sharpens iron. It’s cliche but it’s true. I don’t do Trap Golf for the money. It’s never been about the money. It’s always been about being creative and doing it for the game of golf.Imagery, the way we move, the way speak, all of that plays a role in how successful we become.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aaronmunnart.com
- Phone: 4783202983
- Email: aaronmunnart@gmail.com
- Instagram: @aaronmunnart
- Facebook: Trap Golf
- Other: @trapgolfofficial
Image Credit:
Trakes Photography, Jessica Mae Photography, Aaron Munn
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