Life is (still) good

Life is Good is one of the brands I truly admire. It has a strong purpose and compelling story that is truly human and absolutely hopeful. Their motto is to share optimism - and they sell t-shirts.

The story and journey of the lives of the sibling founders, Bert and John Jacobs encapsulates everything their brand meant. They didn't come from a well to do family and decided to design and sell t-shirts after college. They were hawking them at anywhere there's a crowd and when they saved enough for a used van a year after. Their van was named "Enterprise" after Starship Enterprise from Star Trek because they wanted to go where no t-shirt guys have ever gone The brothers lived in their van and slept on top of the boxes of clothes that hasn't been sold. This was 5 years before they came up with the t-shirt with the "Life is Good" design. It sold out within hours and logically they made new print runs. They stumbled upon what resonates with people, and that is hope. Their shirts were bought by Harley bikers, home makers and everyone in between. Bert and John realized that this is also the story of their childhood and lives.

Their concept and designs continued to touch lives and became popular. From an initial print run of less than 50 to millions of dollars in sales today, they underlying message is still the same, "life is good".

This year, as we all experience the pandemic, the brothers persist, as they did post 9-11 and the many other bumps since the beginning of their journey. Their story is a good reminder of what makes a brand is that essence that resonates with what makes us humans. It is authentic and not something that you can manufacture or copy. At he uncertainties continue to loom, I will choose to have hope and continue to support those who need it through my sharing and praying.

Here are some snippets of Bert and John's story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u1yMH6LtoA&list=RD3u1yMH6LtoA&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKNqYH7QkDo