Johnny Earle, founder of the clothing company, Johnny Cupcakes visited SHS Dec. 13. All juniors and seniors were called down to hear Earle speak about his life and how he came to build his business from Hull, Massachusetts. Opening his assembly with some witty humor to introduce himself. “What’s brown and rhymes with Snoop?” he asked. After a few seconds of awkward silence to comprehend the joke, Earle simply said, “Dr. Dre”. After a few moments of good laughter, Earle started his powerpoint ready to inspire high school students and talk about his life; both personal and business.
Earle grew up in Hull, Massachusetts and went to South Shore Charter School when the school was in Norwell, MA. It was at the Charter School that Earle got his start. Earle figured out the best business ideas at a young age. He began his entrepreneurship by selling drinks on Nantasket Beach during the hot summers even though it was illegal, but the local police just looked at him as a little kid trying to make a few bucks. Earle started Charter School in ninth grade. Earle started selling candy bars and whoopee cushions. Then he upgraded to selling stink bombs and itching powder, until one student was sent to the hospital for an allergic hospital after having spilled on his back. It was his final years at the school, Earle was about to graduate, the Charter School didn’t have a yearbook so, Earle decided to put it on himself to sell yearbook scrapbooks for the students. Business was now Earle’s passion.
After attending college for a few years, he knew college wasn’t a right fit for him, Earle decided to take more of a focus on finding his own business. While working at Newbury Comics, Earle decided to make some t-shirts to wear as a joke to work. At Newbury Comics, Earle had a long list of nicknames ranging from “Johnny Appleseed” to “Johnny Cupcakes”. Everyone loved the T-shirts not knowing it was just a joke that Earle decided to further, people wanted to know where they could purchase the shirt. So, seeing this is a business opportunity, Earle made more shirts to sell and promote, especially when he was on tour with his band, On Broken Wings. In 2001, Earle decided to make t-shirts his career and called it “Johnny Cupcakes”. Johnny Cupcakes is now a known brand all around the world with stores in Hull, Boston, Los Angeles, and London. Earle keeps producing more and more products bringing in more revenue and customers, making Johnny Cupcakes become even more famous. This helped many students gain an understanding of the business world as well especially junior Thomas Burkhardt, “I want to be in business so it showed me that you can do what you want if you have the drive,”.
Johnny Cupcakes sells primarily graphic t-shirts, but his presentation revealed a new perspective.. Earle talked about what this business meant to him and wanted to inspire everyone else to do what they loved. “My concept is strange, but strange is good. It sets you apart from the rest.” Earle says this about his company and how proud he is of what he has become. Earle wants everyone to do what they themselves love to do and what ideas they have.
“You have to put 110% into your business,” Earle said to the audience really wanting to get his point across. Since starting Johnny Cupcakes, Earle has inspired many to start their own business and has even helped his family by pulling them out of their “nine to five” jobs and giving them a job helping Earle improve his company doing what he loves. “His presentation showed us that there are many paths to success. He really made me feel like I can actually take on my future confidently.” said senior Lindsay Zappolo. The last words Earle spoke were ‘“Real Success is being happy doing what you love,” as his student audience began to applaud him.
After receiving a lot of applause, Earle had one last surprise for the students. In each of the chairs at the auditorium, Earle put in gift bag that included pins, stickers, and coupons for a “Johnny Cupcakes” purchase. Earle has worked his way up from selling candy bars in school to having world wide stores. The one thing Earle wanted to make clear to students and faculty was that everyone should do what they love in their life, and not just work for the money, or do something because everyone else is doing it. Earle continues to expand his brand, always wanting to draw more customers, and for as long as possible. Earle’s presentation was one of the best and most inspiring presentations Scituate High School has seen in awhile.