Amazing Success Story
from Windsor Star
Craig Pearson
Andrew Banar brings special meaning to the term Rock On.
Though he has only just turned 18, the Grade 12 Cardinal Carter student and drumming enthusiast has launched a surprisingly successful T-shirt company — made all the more impressive given that Andrew has Down syndrome.
The inspiring business started with modest ambitions and a simple goal.
“I want to go to college,” Andrew explained.
After listening to a cousin extol the wonders of higher
education, the Kingsville resident decided he also wanted to
continue learning after high school. But how to pay for it?
He originally suggested selling lemonade. But his mother
Karen Pickle came up with another idea in October after
watching Andrew draw a simplified drummer wearing a
faux-hawk hairdo, just like his idol in American rock
band Green Day.
She wondered aloud, “How about T-shirts, featuring
Andrew’s drawing, and the saying, Rock On?”
So they gave it a whirl, hoping to sell a few for fun.
About 400 Rock On T-shirts later, the company — called
Group Hug Apparel, after Andrew’s favourite display of
affection — has expanded to women’s styles, as well as cloth tote bags and aprons, and will add more of Andrew’s original designs in the future.
Andrew sells through a website, www.grouphugapparel.com, created by his step-father Chris Pickle. But Andrew most enjoys selling to the public in person, when he can share a smile and $2 from every item sold. He has donated to various charities, such as Project Hope, the Down Syndrome Society, special education classes at Cardinal Carter, and the Children’s Miracle Network in London, where he has often travelled for medical appointments.
“Having a child create T-shirts and give back to the community would make any parent proud,” Karen said. “But just to have him go out and do this and to watch the expression on his face when he sees someone wearing one of his shirts is great.
“It’s amazing to see the joy.”
Karen said she receives calls and e-mails all the time from fans wanting T-shirts, or from organizations asking Andrew to conduct in-person sales on the group’s behalf.
And since Karen calls Andrew a “24/7 guy” who likes staying busy, he’s usually pleased to oblige when schedules permit.
“To have all this grow so quickly is amazing,” said Karen, the company’s chief booster and administrative officer. “It gives him something to look forward to. One of his goals is to see everyone rock on.”
Though Andrew already keeps busy with bowling, golfing and, of course, drumming, these days he’s feeling particularly inspired by his recent business start-up.
And inspiring others in the process.
What does Andrew think of his sudden business and creative success?
He doesn’t even hesitate: “It makes me feel happy.”
Even as a simple bystander, it makes me feel the same.
