by Amy K. Lavender ‘05
Students and community members interested in starting their own businesses could learn a thing or two from Johnny “Cupcakes” Earle, owner and founder of Johnny Cupcakes T-shirt bakery. The enterprising entrepreneur started 16 businesses before he was 16 years old, and the University of West Georgia’s Richards College of Business is welcoming him to the Townsend Center for Performing Arts in less than two weeks.
Founder of Johnny Cupcakes Johnny Earle holds up a sign of the company's logo outside of The Lab at 137 during the Coffin Tour. (Kendra Worsnup/DD)
Johnny has made millions of dollars by selling T-shirts from his vintage-style T-shirt “bakeries” and has been named BusinessWeek’s No. 1 Entrepreneur Under 25. Johnny gives motivational talks all over the nation on how to start, grow, and reinvent your start-up business with little to no funds and build brand loyalty.
When discussing his decision to take a break from school to go on tour with his band at age 19, Johnny said college students could learn a lot from his non-traditional career path and apply it to their own professional goals.
“If I could go back and start a business while I was in school, I would have saved a lot of time and money by using all the free services that colleges offer, and probably get extra credit, too,” he laughed. “Not to mention, you have a huge group of people to network with and a focus group at your fingertips.”
While most of the audience may be students, Johnny says anyone who attends can benefit from his tips.
“Anyone who comes to this talk will leave with a blueprint on how to start their own business with little to no startup money,” he said. “They will leave with lots of new ideas and new ways to market their ideas.”
Attendees to the 7 p.m. October 19 event will receive a handout, “Johnny’s Quick Tips for Success,” be eligible for door prizes, get a chance to meet Johnny, and receive a special surprise.
“We are excited to host Johnny ‘Cupcakes,’” says Simone Lee, Richards College of Business director of External Services and Programs. “His entrepreneurial spirit and drive for success has led him from selling T-shirts out of the trunk of his car to a multi-million dollar international brand. His story will resonate with anyone who is looking for success or is looking for inspiration.”
Johnny’s visit is the latest iteration of the BB&T Lectures in Free Enterprise Series. With the support of BB&T, UWG’s Richards College of Business presents two speakers each year who bring new ideas in business and enterprise to UWG students and the west Georgia community.
Tickets will be available October 7 from the Townsend Center box office, 678-839-4722. Admission is free, but reservations are required as seating is limited. Find out more about Johnny “Cupcakes” on his website www.johnnyearle.com.
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