Catching Pink Clouds

 Our Mission

Pink Cloud Gear is a t-shirt company bringing people the power to raise themselves out of the darkness of addiction and depression. Our products will bring awareness, education and support as we share the messages of recovery through our products and own experiences.

 The Problem

Active drug and alcohol abuse contribute to tens of thousands of deaths yearly and affect the lives of many more. One critical reason is the stigma that encompasses individuals who are suffering from addiction and mental health illnesses. When someone with addiction or a mental health disorder are disgraced and rejected, especially by the healthcare community, it only adds to the tenacious cycle that characterizes their condition. Many medical professionals see someone with an addiction problem or a mental health illness as their own responsibility and this leads to inadequate care or even denying the individual who is asking for help. People displaying signs of intoxication, withdrawal symptoms or odd behavior are sometimes sent away from emergency rooms by healthcare staff because they are frightened or annoyed by their demeanor. These individuals manifest this stigma because they feel humiliated. In return, they avoid treatment.

 Our Solution

Pink Cloud Gear is a company that will bring awareness, education and support as we share the messages of recovery through our products and own experiences. Messages are powerful and hopeful tools in removing stigma. Providing correct information about addiction and mental health illnesses will help reduce the stigma surrounding it. Discussing addiction helps humanize the disease and shows recovery is possible. People with addiction need help and support, not scorn and shame.

Our Key Points

• Educate

• Share

• Show Compassion

Business Objective

• Walking Message - this acts as a conversation starter. We will reach more people supporting a cause and standing for something good. We will print our logo or brand name along with our message. We give people a reason to wear them. It increases our brand value.

• Low Budget - Custom tees are one of the inexpensive marketing tools we will leverage. We don’t have to spend a lot on big publicity.

• Long Lasting - Long lasting tees means long-lasting promotions.

• Enhance sales - A customer always goes back to a brand or product that gave away free stuff, discounts and donations to a good cause so we will utilize these tactics.

• Brand Evangelism - People will start endorsing our brand organically. When a conversation strikes about the logo/message/phrase/brand name printed on the t-shirt they both start talking about our brand which is very healthy for brand recall value.

Market Size

• Wide Open - Not only will this brand attract those in active addiction, in recovery or someone who has a mental health illness, but this brand will also draw in those who has loved ones suffering from addiction, in recovery or has a mental health disorder and wants to show them their support.

 Funding - Start Up Costs

Our key assumptions are:

People like wearing shirts that say something as a fashion and personal statement. Our customers will find us on our website, social media or trade shows and markets. They will appreciate the convenience of getting t-shirts shipped to their house and will be willing to pay for it because of the convenience. Pink Cloud Gear’s revenues will come from the sale of t-shirts and other accessory items.

The startup costs for the company will be the cost of goods sold (inventory). legal expenses, tablets (2), special printer made for printing t-shirts, software, vinyl cutter, sublimation heat transfer, website development, marketing expenses, and shipping materials.

 Use of Funds

 Pink Cloud Gear will incur the following expenses for startup:

• 2 - 2022 Apple iPad Air (10.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 256GB, 5th Generation) 
• A4 Pro DTG, T-Shirt Flatbed Printer by IEHK
• Cricut Explore A 2 Lilac Machine Bundle
• Website — This will be used for information disbursement as well as ordering.
• Software - creating marketing material and mockups for designs
• Shelving display unit — Organizing inventory
• Supplies for printing
• Shirt inventory
• Heat application unit — To make the sublimation transfer on the accessories (mugs, hats, additional t-shirts).

Start-up Expenses

Legal $400

Stationery, etc. $200

2 - 2022 Apple iPad Air - $2,000

A4 Pro DTG, T-Shirt Flatbed Printer by IEHK - $2,800

Office furniture $300

Sublimation heat transfer unit $300

Website development $500

Software - $200

T-shirts $300

TOTAL START-UP EXPENSES $7,000

Team

My team consists of my life partner and myself.

In hopes of raising $7,000 to get started on this project, any additional funds will be donated to causes and charities supporting addiction and mental health illnesses. I want to express my sincere gratitude for any funds you provide. Because of you, we will be able to get out there and help give those people a voice and let them know they are not alone.