t-shirt Monologue 3:  R.U.B.I.E.S. - Chantell Garrett

As you set out to do your Black Friday shopping.  Please be sure to grab a toy, hat or gloves to support R.U.B.I.E.S 3rd Annual Holiday Toy Drive.  Please don't stand in these crazy lines just for you and yours!  For more info on the  Unwrap A Gift Holiday Extravaganza, R.U.B.I.E.S and founder Chantell Garrett read below:

What's your Name?

Chantell M. Garrett, President and Founder. Nicknames...do I want to share this?! : ) Family calls me Channie and close friends call me Chanteezy (so cheesy but it has been with me since high school)

What'sthe official name of your company?

R.U.B.I.E.S., Inc.

What's your favorite childhood t-shirt?

My favorite childhood t-shirt was this airbrushed t-shirt with a picture of Pooh Bear and my name in cursive on it! I distinctively remember wearing it with these turquoise blue shorts. Ha! I got the shirt done one year at the Indianapolis State Fair and I wore that shirt for years until Pooh Bear was almost faded out. I had a love for the Disney character for years as a child. Actually I still have that shirt in a memory box, but TRUST I will never wear it again.

What is your t-shirt style?

Honestly, I really don't wear a lot of t-shirts outside of my RUBIES shirts, sorority, and college alma mater t-shirts. In my younger years I used to wear all kinds of tees including white Staffords (smh) and in college t-shirts were the thing to wear especially those FREE ones you got around campus. As I have gotten older I am real selective of my t-shirts and how I can "style it up". If I wear a t-shirt then it's usually with skinny jeans, paired with a cardigan or the sleeves on the shirt might be rolled up. The t-shirts that I do wear definitely have meaning and a statement behind them!

How do you employ t-shirts in your business?

I have a degree in Marketing so I understand the importance of branding. When I first started RUBIES in 2010 I know that we had to have a logo that was easily identifiable with the organization's name. When I thought of RUBIES, the mission and the various girls this organization would impact, I know the logo had to reflect that. Therefore the logo incorporates various sizes of gemstones in the signature logo 'R'. The back of the shirts is a constant reminder of what these young ladies are in the program, "Rare. Precious. RUBIES."

RUBIES shirts are worn by the young ladies in our program of course, their parents, and supporters. We even have had a few people in Texas, Louisiana, Indiana and Washington, D.C. rocking the RUBIES t-shirts. We have even had a few guys wear our shirts out of support of the mission of RUBIES.

Tell us about your business.

R.U.B.I.E.S., Inc. was founded in 2010 to assist in the mentoring and development of young women. The mission of RUBIES is to educate, equip and empower underserved girls with the knowledge and skills to succeed in college, career and community. Some of our signature programs include Project 100, a program specifically geared towards female first generation college students and No Boys Allowed, a conference for girls that engages them on everyday topics that affect them.

How has T-Shirt King, Inc. helped bring your t-shirt vision to life?

T-Shirt King has been very instrumental in bring the t-shirt vision of R.U.B.I.E.S., Inc. to life by allowing us to display our brand, our logo, our purpose on a t-shirt that millions of eyes will see. I definitely appreciate the quality work and professionalism I receive at this family owned business. Chris and Leyshon are great people to work with...they really do take care of and care about their customers!

What's the next venture we can be on the look out for?

R.U.B.I.E.S., Inc upcoming event is the the Unwrap A Gift Holiday Extravaganza. As a way to give back our community that so graciously gives to us, RUBIES hosted an annual toy drive that has supported over 1,000 families in the past two years with new toys, hat/glove sets, books and over holly jolly time for families and their children. We are currently accepting new toys and hat/glove sets for youth 0-18 years old until December 7th. Donation locations can be found online at www.rubiesinc.org. The giveaway will be on December 14th at Southeast Community Center from 10am-1pm. We are not only in need of donation but amazing volunteers as well. Contact Terri Fletcher at terri@rubiesinc.org to help!

RUBIES also host 3 other signature events, Ruby Red Slippers Gala, Cocktails and Cupcakes: Volunteer Recognition,and The Conversation: Movie Premiere and Discussion Fundraiser. We also provide mentoring programs every first and third Saturdays.

How can the people connect with you?

Website - www.rubiesinc.org
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RUBIESINC1
Instagram - http://instagram.com/rubiesinc
Twitter - https://twitter.com/rubiesinc

R.U.B.I.E.S., Inc
P.O. Box 300764
Kansas City, MO 64130
816.607.1031 (phone)
816.471.3064 (fax)
info@rubiesinc.org (email)