One question I get asked all the time is where did you get your company name from. It’s a common question because it’s an odd name.
It all started back when I was in 5th grade. My dad told my older brother, who is two years older than me, it was time for him to get a job. A good job, he said, for a 7th grader was cutting grass. So my brother, a good son, listened to our father and started a lawn mowing business.
At the time my brother was working on a school project on the planet Jupiter. He decided to name his new business after the planet. It was a quick, decision but had lasting impacts.
My older brother operated Jupiter Pro Lawn Care through high school while I worked for him. When he graduated, I took over. When I left for college, our younger brother took over.
In all, we ran the lawn business for 12 years. It was a big deal for us. We learned a lot, had some fun, and made a little money. The first shirts we ever had made were for this business.
I sold my first shirt in 2007. It was the Jim Tressel Sweater Vest T-Shirt.
It started out as just something fun to do. I didn’t have big plans to start a business when I created the shirt but once I received licensing from the Ohio State University, I needed to move forward with production and the start of my business. While I had no idea what exactly this company would become, I knew that the company name needed to be broader than the Jim Tressel Sweater Vest T-Shirt Company.
I spent almost a year in France just before I made the first sample for the Tressel T-Shirt. While I can’t speak much French, one word that I did learn was mode, which means fashion.
After receiving approval from OSU, I had a really tight timeline to produce product in time for football season. Decisions were made quickly. One of those was the company name.
The Jup in Jūpmode comes from Jupiter Pro Lawn Care. Mode comes from the French word for fashion. Essentially, it’s Jupiter Fashion.
Some people think we have a strange company name. Others don’t know how to pronounce it. Either way, it’s unique and, I think, memorable.
Comments
It’s so nice to know the history of the name. Sounds like it was a great way to get started on something new —- after being involved with a family business for years. You’ve done a great job with your new company. Hoping to buy the University of Toledo sesquicentennial sweatshirt. Do you have them in stock in your Cricket West store? Or are they only through an online order?
I’m a Toledo transplant who has lived in Tampa for 37 years. I’m still a Buckeye at heart and love your products. I admire your entrepreneurial spirit and drive. My sisters and nieces made me aware of your merchandise and I’m impressed. Just placed my first order but it won’t be my last! Continue your great work!!
Great story, and I too have spent a lot of time in France. I am fluent in French, as I am French Canadian.
I love the name Jupmode
Thank you for spending time with my freshmen students today! I learned a great deal and hope to pass a style idea past you (per our brief conversation)!
Great story! Sorry to read your younger brother couldn’t keep Jupiter Pro afloat after taking it over from you and your older brother… but it sounds like it all worked out in the end!
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