Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendall.
Kendall , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The birth of Unison began at Bowie a state University where I was a student athlete and member of the university’s football team. I met my friend and brother Phil Morgan Jr. in a class as we were both Sport Management majors. We instantly cliqued. At the time he was the main game day graphics and scheduling guy for DC public schools athletics. He comes from a rich family history of sports within DC. He was connected and always was busy on his laptop throughout class but never about what was going on in class. I became intrigued and really a fan of the work he was doing at the age he was. Throughout that time I was always wondering what was the next steps in life for me knowing my playing days were coming to an end and ironically was reading the book Shoe Dog that an ex-girlfriend of mine gave me as a gift. I haven’t finished a chapter book since high school but curiosity led me to read this book. Which now I know that it was destiny. While reading I just became inspired and it hit me like a blindside block in football. If a man with a vision, plan, faith and belief selling track shoes out the trunks of his car running a business on borrowed money and credit can build an athletic brand that would probably be here until the test of time. Why couldn’t I do the same? I was always passionate, a risk-taker, confident and believed in myself. So I never had any doubts although knowing it would be a hard road. However, I knew that the person, a newfound brother that I was forming a relationship with where opposites attract was the perfect person to embark on this journey with. After pitching the idea to him it may have taken all but five minutes for him to say yes. Another close friend of mine who was a self-taught artist and currently in school himself back in Baltimore could round out the small but mighty team to help truly push this to heights that I knew it could reach and now I know they knew as well. We spent months planning, and researching on how to build a brand. We didn’t want to skip any steps, wanted this to be taken seriously given our demographic and our youth we were well aware of the doubts and questions we would face from potential clients, customers, and consumers. Then, just the natural juxtaposition of a kid from Baltimore, MD teaming with a kid from Washington, DC is historically unheard of. We felt it was no better name than to call it Unison. We were bridging a gap, making statement, and knew that togetherness, determination, faith, and most importantly community would help take us to higher levels. We continue to stand behind that today. We’ve done a lot with humble beginnings, we’ve been through and overcome every emotion. From fear, to failure, doubt, success, triumph, sad, anger, happy and joy. Our very first order was scary but felt like we had arrived in the pros as it was a big order. You never really know what you say you’re ready for until the moment comes and it’s about what you do when that opportunity arises. However, preparation was always the key and that was viable for us and our start. We planned and prepared for eight to twelve months, vetting manufacturers, suppliers, testing samples, constantly editing and formulating a solid business plan. After all we were entering a field that already had and had its fair share of giants that have built up years of equity and brand loyalty. We had to find a niche and sweet spot for us to allow us to crack open the door, and then to bust the door down. We’ve had many bumps along the road in our personal lives and profesional lives. From hirings and firings, I’ve welcomed two children in the world since. Relationships have came and went, evictions, physical ailments and injuries, financial hardships, bad business practices from suppliers. We lost out on $50,000 for many startups and small, minority-owned businesses that is a death blow. I can’t honestly tell you how we’re still here through it all other than faith, prayer, God and a true commitment to each other and belief in what we’ve built and started. We kept “the main thing the main thing” because we all viewed as the thing that has and will continue to change our lives. So many changes have occurred throughout our year of establishment to now. We never thought we would be pioneers and inspirations to many other individuals seeing what we’ve done and beginning to start their own athletic brands. We view it as flattery and healthy competition. Even in present day everything is everything there will always be problems good and bad. There will always be changes and evolution in business and entrepreneurship. There’s going to be memorable days bad and good. That is the is the circle of life in business and entrepreneurship. However, Unison has become our lives, a big piece of our identity we would and could never stop because we’ve already seen the potential and satisfaction and proof of the power of an idea. He power of one’s mind and the great things that could and will come from it. This was to serve the communities we’ve come from, provide resources to young student athletes that we were not able to have. All while changing lives, making a difference, strengthening community between two cities and eventually the world I truly believe the best decision I’ve ever made in my life was to ask my two brothers to join and help each other build this brand into something that will be remembered forever. Move in UNISON.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Haha, it still isn’t a smooth road. There’s always constant challenges and changes that cause for adaptation. You always have to be flexible, stay ahead of the curve and anticipate the next big changes so your brand and business is not behind but in the flow of it. The struggle is finding and obtaining working capital for expansion. We’re already know and viewed as a uniform company, the next step for us to transition to a retail company with uniform creation attached to it. Updating that and inputting the software to make that happen on our website through a creation and editing platform. We’ve been through many struggles in our personal lives. I myself have struggled mightily with depression, the fear of failure, dove a little too deep into substances. Fall outs with family, lost jobs and have had to pivot in careers. I’ve faced eviction after welcoming two more children into this world. A trusted supplier who had been with us from the beginning ran off on us for $50,000. The order was for my Alma mater to add salt into the wound. I’ve had custody bouts in court, had my own legal troubles throughout the process. Family drama and issues because they believe you have more than you do. As well as jealousy and envy from family and friends whom I thought were close to me. Phil has been through many physical injuries, family loss, fired from his job, and financial hardship. Denzel my head designer and one of of my best friends, has also dealt with family loss, lost of vehicles from accidents, financial hardships as well. I could go on all day. The biggest thing for us business wise as an issue is that majority of our contractors are through school districts and procurement throughout multiple counties. We receive revenue and profit majority through net pays So in order to fulfill orders its capital. In business on any scale it’s always capital, capital and capital again.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Here at Unison we provide custom and stock uniforms, apparel, and accessories. We provide everything minus footwear, although we hope and aim to change that in the near future. Most clients and consumers love the customization aspect that we provide. Many Athletic Directors, coaches, and parents who may reach out to the bigger brands are usually at their mercy in the design process or specifics of what they desire in a uniform or apparel. It’s more of a “you get what we provide you” situation with those brands unless you’re willing to pay an arm, leg, and hip for it. That’s where we come in, you have more control over what you’d desire in the product, although we do advise consumers based on the preferences they are asking for to provide the best service possible. Plus, it is priced at an affordable rate with a quicker turnaround than what bigger brands can provide. We have different qualities and prices reflect that from our “Varsity” which is reflective of an economy price, to our “FLEX” sets which are of higher qualities to still give the same look and feel of the pros that you watch and admire. I am most proud of our longevity honestly. I think we all can attest to that. Given the constant changes in this industry, and changes in our lives we are still here. I am proud of the name we’ve built in our area and am proud of the belief we have from the people. I am proud of just the acknowledgment. It’s a lot of the small stuff for me. The small things always lead to bigger things. What sets us apart is our honesty, our customer service, and accessibility. On the smaller scales and grounds of this industry you have so many things happening at once often times. More individuals are forming their own athletic brands as they’ve seen and witnessed what we were able to do in the past seven years. You have many suppliers and manufacturers contacting consumers directly via social media attempting to undercut other brands big or small. Which you see those on larger scales now as well with sites like Temu and SHEIN. However, there’s always uncertainty and a level of uncomfortability in going that route. You’ll be sold on a much cheaper price but you’re always at their mercy, not always honest, and they bank on getting a quick buck off of you without you having anyway to track your product’s progress, ensure you are receiving the quality you’ve paid for and definitely not be refunded. I constantly see the horror stories which this mainly takes place youth league level.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
We’d like to thank each and everyone who has ever considered, shipped, worn, reposted, and shouted out Unison. Special thank you to all of our supporters, the young athletes who had encouraged the coaches and parents to support Unison. We greatly appreciate everything and as we continue to grow the more we will serve. Move in UNISON!
Pricing:
- “Varsity” sublimated Football Uniforms $47.50, Twil $50
- “Varsity” Basketball Uniforms $45, “FLEX” Basketball Uniforms $50
- FLEX sublimated Football Uniforms $60, Twil $70
- Shellsuits (rain) $115 adult, $95 youth; Sweatsuits $70 adult, Youth $60
- Volleyball, soccer, track, 7v7, Uniforms $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.unisontb.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unison_llc?igsh=MTZrbTFyZHk4cW1wZw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BaNGSQxuu/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Twitter: https://x.com/unison__llc?s=11
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@unison_llc?si=Dn3XDKrUaVPsQ9rG
