Today we’d like to introduce you to Dondrill McFarland.
Hi Dondrill, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Spread Love Clothing Co. started with one t-shirt. I initially sold the t-shirt on Teespring in 2016. I used the funds to host a Youth Workshop (in Greensboro, NC, where I was living at the time) which included topics on: Social Emotional Learning, College and Career Readiness, and STEM.
In 2018, we (myself and my wife, Dorothy) moved to Atlanta. I decided that I wanted to take the message of Spread Love and turn it into a brand, a simple message with a powerful impact. People were asking if they could get a sweatshirt or hoodie, I was saying sure but really had no clue what I was getting myself into. With the help of my wife, we literally taught ourselves how to make the shirts (S/O to YouTube University), and we used some of our savings to buy equipment to get us started.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many lessons learned along the way, being an entrepreneur is not for the faint at heart. There were many times where I thought about walking away and focusing on my career as an educator. The certainty of having a paycheck every month was much more comfortable than trying to figure out how to sell enough shirts to pay bills.
Also trying to figure out social media and seeing other brands taking off… It is very true that comparison is the thief of joy. Any time I found myself taking my focus off of what God put in my heart, things got heavy. Having a partner who is just as serious about your purpose is clutch.
Trying to figure out entrepreneurship on your own is also a recipe for disaster. There were plenty of times we were wasting money or just making bad decisions because we were trying to do it on our own. I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of a community of people where I’ve been able to ask for help/mentorship, and they’ve helped me figure things out along the way. Dj E, who owns The Wing Bar ATL, has been very instrumental in helping and pushing me in the right direction.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My background is in public relations and education. After graduating from North Carolina A&T State University, I spent some time working with an education non-profit organization and eventually, that led me into counseling. I have a true passion for children (especially black and brown children in underserved communities).
I’ve always used my creativity in the sectors I’ve served in but I never really gave myself permission to be called a “creative” until my early 30s. I’ve been blessed to find ways to marry both my passions and purpose and accomplish some pretty cool things like Let the Youth Lead workshop and mini camps. I’ve been able to provide my services of creating custom shirts to teachers and organizations who know where my heart is.
As far as Spread Love Clothing Co. I am most proud of taking it from just being a brand to an actual movement. Our new campaign is “You’ll Love it Here”; it’s really all about self-love and affirmation and putting the world on notice. We partnered with The Wing Bar ATL and 3Cent Media and hosted a pop-up/photoshoot block party. It was an opportunity for people in the community to come together, take professional pictures, and show themselves off. Our brand is purpose-driven, and I know that when you ask people about us as people, they can say without a shadow of a doubt we walk the walk.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory was summers in my hometown of Rochester, NY. Riding my bike from one side of town to the other with my cousins, going to the corner store three times a day, and going to NYSP Summer Camp, just made me feel like I was on top of the world. Life was so simple and innocent then.
Pricing:
- T-shirts range from $25 and up
- Our sweatshirts range from $45 and up
Contact Info:
- Website: www.spreadloveclothing.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/thespreadloveco
- Facebook: facebook.com/spreadloveSP
Image Credits
Dorothy Lennon and Brandon Abernathy (3 Cent Media Ventures)
