Jun 14, 2024
TEN YEARS OF IB
Jun 14, 2024
TEN YEARS OF IB
Dear IB Fam!I launched Intentionally Blank after being fired from my last job. Out of frustration and anger over how that situation ended, I cashed out my 401K, transferred my savings, and got very friendly with my Amex credit limit. I made calls and favors were asked, and I got on a plane to fly from LAX to China, to Spain and home---creating the first tiny collection. This was 2014.When I started INTENTIONALLY BLANK, it was to fill a niche I saw opening in the market. A space for a brand with a POV that also had lots of items. Lots of different clients in mind, and a sense of humor/irony--that could tie all those things together. A fresh approach on trend, and how humans want to dress. Flash forward ten years and I am in awe of what has taken shape. The workload and road has been very bumpy---but filled with so many wins and growth points.I wanted to send you a thank you note as we officially hit our ten year mark, and leave you with a few bullet points from my main takeaways from starting a brand, building an indie shoe empire, and creating my dream job. I know many of you have messaged me about brand advice for starting your own thing, or where to start, here is what I jotted down my journal.
  • You are only as strong as those you surround yourself with. You are a reflection of those people, and they of you. My IB work team is so insanely talented, strong, and committed. They are like a cult.
  • I would go back and do things differently if I could, but I honestly wouldn't change the outcome. Being proud of myself is something I am learning, but after ten years, I love the brand that I have put my name on.
  • When you own an indie brand, it is going to get scary. People are going to think your brand is bigger, and wider than it is. Lean into that, and carve out what you want...it is okay to grow, it is okay to stay small.
  • Imposter Syndrome is something you can learn to get over and use to your advantage. When you tap into it, flip it and reverse it, it can be a superpower.
  • I am not someone who could ever prepare a TED talk on work-life balance, but I want to get better at it, and I am!
  • There is luck involved, and that is 100% okay! Manifest all the luck, all the goodness you deserve!
  • Be prepared to be challenged mentally, spiritually, financially, and know that the hard times are like storm clouds----they are going to pass.
Thank you to every single person who has bought a shoe from this brand. Thank you to my factories, agents, wholesale clients, tradeshow partners, to my staff, my sister, my dad, my mom and my circle of close friends. Thank you to my lawyer. Thank you to all the iced coffees, and to my therapist Ken. One shoe at a time, step by step.Ty McBrideFounder & Creative Director
Dear IB Fam!I launched Intentionally Blank after being fired from my last job. Out of frustration and anger over how that situation ended, I cashed out my 401K, transferred my savings, and got very friendly with my Amex credit limit. I made calls and favors were asked, and I got on a plane to fly from LAX to China, to Spain and home---creating the first tiny collection. This was 2014.When I started INTENTIONALLY BLANK, it was to fill a niche I saw opening in the market. A space for a brand with a POV that also had lots of items. Lots of different clients in mind, and a sense of humor/irony--that could tie all those things together. A fresh approach on trend, and how humans want to dress. Flash forward ten years and I am in awe of what has taken shape. The workload and road has been very bumpy---but filled with so many wins and growth points.I wanted to send you a thank you note as we officially hit our ten year mark, and leave you with a few bullet points from my main takeaways from starting a brand, building an indie shoe empire, and creating my dream job. I know many of you have messaged me about brand advice for starting your own thing, or where to start, here is what I jotted down my journal.
  • You are only as strong as those you surround yourself with. You are a reflection of those people, and they of you. My IB work team is so insanely talented, strong, and committed. They are like a cult.
  • I would go back and do things differently if I could, but I honestly wouldn't change the outcome. Being proud of myself is something I am learning, but after ten years, I love the brand that I have put my name on.
  • When you own an indie brand, it is going to get scary. People are going to think your brand is bigger, and wider than it is. Lean into that, and carve out what you want...it is okay to grow, it is okay to stay small.
  • Imposter Syndrome is something you can learn to get over and use to your advantage. When you tap into it, flip it and reverse it, it can be a superpower.
  • I am not someone who could ever prepare a TED talk on work-life balance, but I want to get better at it, and I am!
  • There is luck involved, and that is 100% okay! Manifest all the luck, all the goodness you deserve!
  • Be prepared to be challenged mentally, spiritually, financially, and know that the hard times are like storm clouds----they are going to pass.
Thank you to every single person who has bought a shoe from this brand. Thank you to my factories, agents, wholesale clients, tradeshow partners, to my staff, my sister, my dad, my mom and my circle of close friends. Thank you to my lawyer. Thank you to all the iced coffees, and to my therapist Ken. One shoe at a time, step by step.Ty McBrideFounder & Creative Director

More from IB Editorial

More from IB Editorial