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By: Shea Reger

Inspiration came with my trip home in December. After a few days on the island and a few tanks for the boat, the process of getting more design out was in need. Moving forward meant making more then just car decals and a boat shirt. It was important to me and always will be to keep a steady sense of progression and growth with the trademark even while I’m in Georgia going to school.

I knew I wanted to put out more of a product mix. With the cold weather coming and many requests from friends, it was the perfect time to put the development of an Aqua Rodeo hoodie in action. It was time to get those image attachments rolling to the printers and Jessica Geide, with Keyboard Advertising, was more than enthusiastic about getting more products out. I also wanted to get a short sleeve and a new long sleeve out for the new year. The designs started to get pushed around with a few late nights but once finalized, the printing began and a new line of Aqua Rodeo apparel was on its way. What came out for the new year were the Aqua Rodeo short sleeve, the new organic cotton long sleeve and organic cotton hoodie. Having a product that has moral integrity is part of having a responsiblebusinessandsellingsomething that is environmentally sound is important to me.

It turned out that once I got the lineup, it was time to get back up to Savannah for school. This posed somewhat of a problem in the distribution process. Luckily my mother got right to it by getting it involved with her restaurant: The Wharf Bar and Grill. She helped immensely in getting Aqua Rodeo well established in the restaurant. Without her I would be nowhere in all of this. Another great woman who is currently helping with distribution process is Mrs. Shannon Perkins at Key West High school. She sells all my products right out of her art room. This is ironic because most of my design work was cooked up and originated from that very same room.

I was 649 miles away from the merchandise I just spent much of my Christmas break making but I was at ease because I knew it all was in the hands of both the people who helped me generate the business in the first place. My good friend Clay Wagner has been a large part of distributing and devilries. He really helped me manage orders being delivered to an address I wasn’t living at. Clay and Mrs. Shannon, along with my brother and my mother, all have really helped me operate through a distance. Constant phone calls is what it takes to keep things moving. Jesse Hammers is another friend who has been helping with Aqua Rodeo activityanddistributions.He’scontributed with modeling and given possibilities of getting apparel to locations such as Fort Myers. A lot of the distribution came from Clay and Jesse simply selling the shirts from their car. I owe a lot to them; they even had to find a way to sneak past my dog to pick up shirt orders that were waiting at my house when I had no one to pick them up.

Currently my efforts on apparel have been going to the production of an Aqua Rodeo non-profit shirt. The money raised from the shirts sold will be donated to a Haiti relief fund. The money will be transferred directly to Haiti for help but I also want profits from the shirt to go to local Haitian families in the Keys that may need help after giving what they have to their families that still reside in Haiti. What happened to Haiti was a true natural disaster; help should never come sparingly to those who are truly in need. The devastation that has occurred from such an earthquake has affected people in the numbers of millions. Aqua Rodeo’s involvement with contributing to the need of Haiti will continue and there are plans of joining with Key West high clubs in contributions. The shirt will be launching in the spring and can be an easy way of sending donation.

Going to a school that is filled with photographers,fashionstudents,and graphic designers doesn’t hurt my progress with Aqua Rodeo. I get to bounce ideas around and use friends as sources for business as well as inspiration. I look at school as just another step in fulfilling my purpose.

I don’t plan on slowing down progress any time soon, there are shops downtown and up the Keys I’ve talked to about getting wholesale moving with the company. My goals have not changed and if anything only will be growing. Expansion will just come step by step. If everything continues to proceed, I would like to get an annual fishing tournament and Aqua Rodeo tour going this summer. People can expect more than just apparel; as development continues, so will new products for marine activity. The website is currently being built and will be the prime way for people to reach Aqua Rodeo goods. Facebook is another way people can connect with Aqua Rodeo and find updates. I still plan to incorporate a way to support local water desalination and reef relief programs. My long-term goals would take much to fully explain but what I can say is that everything takes time as long as the time is put in.

The greatest factor in any of my success is my mother; her support has let me reach goals I’ve always wanted to accomplish. All of this is possible because of the family and team of friends who help and support me. So to all the supporters I say thank you,thecommunityintheKeysiswhat fuels the Rodeo.

By: Conch Color - March 12, 2010