A Make or Break Economy

When I spoke to you a couple days ago, I mentioned how we would like to make FAZE Apparel recession-proof like In-N-Out Burger. That's fine and dandy but our current economic climate is treacherous, to say the least. In fact, it may have just consumed one of the most recognizable brands in the fashion industry - Baby Phat. For those that don't know, Baby Phat is a premiere female hip-hop brand that was created by Kimora Lee Simmons in 1998.

According to industryfinest.com, Kellwood Co., the St. Louis based company that owns Baby Phat, could be facing bankruptcy because of a huge debt obligation that is coming due on July 14th. How big you may ask? Let's say something along the lines of $140 million dollars!!! Daaaayyyyyuuuummm!!! Shit, I complain about a $75-$80 cell phone bill due every month but I couldn't even imagine owing someone that much. Due to the slowing economy and decreased sales, Kellwood can't pay the bonds that will be maturing on the 14th. The company did try to defer the bond payment through an exchange offer, in which Kellwood Co. would swap bonds maturing on Wednesday for bonds with more appealing terms that will mature in 2014. They were unsuccessful with this attempt. I hope Kimora's Baby Phat pulls through this, but the odds are against them in this economy. As the title states, this is a make or break economy, but at this point, Baby Phat is on the verge of being broken.

Bottom line - control your debt, don't let it control you. Until next time, stay Fearless and Zealous people!!! I'll holla.

Recession-proof Like In-N-Out Burger

Happy Friday everybody,

Speaking of Fridays, one of my goals in life is to make everyday feel like a Friday on a nice summer day. I hope y'all can relate to me on that tip. Another one of my goals, or may I say a goal of the FAZE Boys, is to make our company recession-proof like In-N-Out Burger. All of us may not have a business or economic background but we should have enough knowledge to know that the nation has experienced (and still is experiencing) an economic downturn, more specifically known as a recession. During a recession, a lot of companies struggle financially and some even fold, but the west coast burger joint seems to be immune to this fiscal sickness. In fact, every time I hit an In-N-Out location to grab a bite to eat it is packed inside and out no matter what time of day it is. My main question is how do they manage to prosper during hard times like these?

First of all, their food is hella good...LOL. Aside from that, they are providing an essential need for every living being - FOOD. You may be asking, "all restaurants have food and are still entangled in the grips of the recession but how does In-N-Out manage to break free from those same grips?" The simple answer I would provide is In-N-Out provides quality food for a fast food joint. I'm not trying to knock the other fast food places but you can clearly taste the difference. The more complete answer is that this burger spot flawlessly executes a proven successful formula by providing quality food, on a consistent basis, in a timely manner.

I've exposed just part of the picture. This company utilizes, or may I say its customers perpetuate, one of the MOST powerful marketing strategies - 'Word of Mouth' marketing/advertising. We have all been persuaded positively or negatively by what the people we know have to say about a product or service. "Don't see that movie, it's horrible" and "Have you heard The Jacka's new CD, it slaps" are opinions we hear from our peers and elders alike. A lot of people can tell their friends that In-N-Out has good food but this is not exactly where the company excels. I'll present you with two words - SECRET MENU. When you walk into this fast food restaurant you only see 3 meal sections and you're probably wondering WTF McDonald's has about 12 different options. And that's when that secret menu kicks in and you ask for the '4 by 4 burger' your friend was telling you about or those 'animal-style' fries you heard that dude on the BART talking about. This creates somewhat of a suspense factor for the company and is absolutely brilliant. And did I say powerful?!? This is easily In-N-Out's competitive advantage over other fast food places.


As for FAZE Apparel, we want to replicate this formula by providing an essential need in the form of clothing, whose primary purpose is to offer warmth and protection. But we got style y'all, so don't discount that. Also, we want to deliver a quality product and create awareness of this product via 'Word of Mouth' - one of the most powerful marketing tools. So spread the word y'all and help us obtain that goal and we can grow together. Stay FEARLESS and ZEALOUS people!!!

For In-N-Out Burger's secret menu items visit - http://www.in-n-out.com/secretmenu.asp

P.S. - Try to watch those carbs a little bit and go for the Protein Burger...avoid 'The Gut' LOL.

The New FAZE Website has LAUNCHED!!!

What's up y'all?

The purpose of this blog entry is to inform you of the new FAZE website -http://www.fazeapparel.com/. What are you waiting for, go check that out?!? Also, while you're there grab some of that FAZE gear because FAZE is more than a brand, it's a mentality. Stay Fearless and Zealous people. 'Til next time...I'm out.

Slap Chopp'd N Screw'd

You gotta love those infomercials. It's a guilty pleasure for most of us. Enjoy people!!!

A Fearless Sneak Peek

What's up y'all?!? As I mentioned before, we've been hard at work preparing that hot shit for y'all and ultimately perfecting our craft. As the old saying goes, 'Good things come to those who wait'. For all the supporters that have been patient with FAZE, I've decided to bless y'all with a little treat...or teaser I may add. Try not to salivate too much. This FAZE hoody is schedule to be released in the Fall. Stay tuned because we'll also be releasing some new items in the coming weeks. Stay Fearless and Zealous people!!!

"A Lesson On Drugs...Some Shit Just Shouldn't Be Fuck'd With"

This entry doesn't have anything to do with fashion or Faze in general but it was on my mind so I thought I would share it with you y'all. This may be old news to some but it's definitely new to me. Okay, enough anticipation building. Do y'all know the rapper Big Lurch from Texas? He did a lot of collaborations with Bay Area rappers, such as RBL Posse, Rick Rock, E-40, Yukmouth, and the list goes on. Y'all may remember the below collaboration with the Frisco's rap legends, RBL Posse



Well, Big Lurch was high on PCP one night and ate a girl's lung and intestines because he thought the devil was inside her. How crazy is that shit?!? As a result, he is now serving a life sentence in prison. I'm not condoning drug use by any means but if you're going to smoke your weed or drink your drank do your thing but some drugs just shouldn't be fucked with. Especially, PCP if you're going to be hallucinating and doing crazy shit like that. In the end, a young life (in this case two young lives) is wasted because of poor life decisions. Take care of yourselves my people and be Fearless and not foolish. I'll leave y'all with the actual news broadcast of the Big Lurch incident.

"Back On Our Bullshit"

Shit, I can relate to my man Busta Rhymes when he coined that phrase. Sorry for the little hiatus y'all but them Faze Boys have been busy in the lab getting that hottness ready for the streets. It's been a crazy couple of weeks which included conducting interviews in search of local pattern-makers, trying to communicate with overseas producers, getting stores lined up, you name it and we've had our hands in it. But be patient with us y'all because I promise you won't be disappointed.

All of that hard work doesn't go unnoticed with our supporters. Check out our feature on The Fresh Stock - http://www.thefreshstock.com/. And while you're there subscribe to their newsletter because they feature the hottest brands of the urban fashion scene. Step ya clothing game up!