Jeff & Randy Vines, Owners of STL Style (Interview 15/100)

Jeff & Randy Vines, Founders & Owners of STL Style are full of advice, full of grit, and full of love for their hometown community of St. Louis, Missouri. What started as a moonlight project in 2001 when they graduated college, quickly evolved into much more as it gained media attention and recognition all over the world. That t-shirt business grew to a brick and mortar location now known locally as STL Stylehouse. And then that shop evolved with the help of it’s employees to become the larger community it is now. 

They’ve also built a stellar internal community by propping up their staff, giving them ownership to make the community around the store what they want it to be. “Our staff is as diverse as the city itself” and are proud of the staff, consider them family, and truly love them. Empower employees to use the space for what they need. This is well beyond a local t-shirt company as they have been known to host open mic nights, drag performances and makeup workshops, backdrops for a professional freelance photographer building his own business outside of the brand. They even give everyone a set of keys and let people keep their keys past their time of employment and welcome a return to visit the house cat. They’ve created a sense of ownership. 

They don't take it for granted that the city loves them back. Even supporting their competitors within the community of St. Louis-based apparel shops that have since opened. They give a shout out to the younger similar businesses that are doing a great job by acknowledging their competition fueling their own evolution. Once again, uplifting the community including the competition.

Here’s where you can find them for custom work, collaborations with brands with Washington Universities, STL Public Radio, public speaking, tours for school groups & relocation tour groups, all things ready to uplift STL:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

Shout outs to: 

• Amanda Clark - founded Renegade Tours now adopted by the Missouri History Museum (Randy does tours for the program)
• Natasha Bahrami - Ginworld (very first custom design project!)
• Bill Streeter - videographer and founder of Lo-Fi Cherokee to showcase local music & businesses
• Vertrell Yates - freelance photographer & owner of Trells Eye Photography

Instagram | Company Mentions | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Transcripts

We encourage intentional consumerism and community-focused business practices.

Ad-free episodes can be accessed through paid subscription at Patreon.com/CapitalismForGood (options starting at $1).

Between the Interviews | Bittersweet Paradox | Capitalism for Green | Company Mentions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.