Freshman Jon Sosidka has started an apparel business called The Elite Supply Company. He models one of his creations in this photo.
During freshman year of high school, most students are busy merely adjusting to the high school atmosphere. Jon Sosidka, however, is taking high school by the reins and has started his own apparel company, The Elite Supply Co. Sosidka sells T-shirts and sweatshirts.
“I created this company because I would walk around the mall and see clothes with awesome designs on them, but they were really overpriced,” Sosidka said, “I wanted to make clothes with designs on them which were just as awesome and sell them at reasonable prices.” The layouts made by owner Sosidka and his retail partner, Jake Lione, another freshman, are 100 percent original. The two met in elementary school, at Clinton Public.
“All of the pictures in the designs were taken by either me or Jake,” Sosidka said. The photograph of the mountain on one of their popular sweatshirts was taken by Lione while on a family vacation in Wyoming.
The team also has a section of its website where customers can view upcoming apparel and have the opportunity to comment on the new designs by messaging the company on its “business page.”
Sosidka hopes his willingness to please customers will help his company develop and prosper. “I’m really excited to watch the company grow,” Sosidka said.
The young entrepreneur began by simply broadcasting the company to North students in December of 2013. His brother, Ben, helped him reach out to the upper classmen in an attempt to spread the word more efficiently. Along with the website, Sosidka and Lione created an Instagram account, a Facebook page, and a Twitter account.
“Since launching the website in December, I have received orders from students who attend not only North Hunterdon, but also, Clinton Township Middle School, Voorhees, and Hunterdon Central,” Sosidka said. The pair ask their buyers to submit pictures of themselves wearing the apparel so they may use them on their website.
“I really hope to see the company spread through New Jersey in the future. The big goal is to have it spread across the country,” Sosidka said. Depending on location, Sosidka either hand delivers the pieces or ships them to buyers.
Since creating the company, Sosidka has gained life long experience, which will benefit him throughout high school and college, as well as later in life.
“In the short time that I’ve had this company, I have learned how to manage a business and become an organized entrepreneur,” Sosidka said. With this help of his mother, Beth, a CPA, he has created a spreadsheet which helps him track how many sales he has made, along with the amount of money he makes on each sale.
“This whole business has really helped me see the bigger picture in life and has provided me with advantages that many of my classmates may not be as fortunate to have until later on down the road,” Sosidka said.
All of Sosidka and Lione’s clothing may be purchased at elitesupplyco.com.