February 8, 2022
WHY THE OLSEN HOODIE is called
the olsen hoodie
By: Jason Franklin, SPORTIQE co-founder
Everything in this world that is special carries an equally special story of how it came to be.
Before Sportiqe became a global brand that stood for comfort, known for its high quality apparel, there was just a boy who had a vision of a hoodie that was so comfortable that it would become an extension of himself. This young boy was me.
Growing up, I manifested about a hoodie that I could have that could be my second layer of skin, my “armor”. I had a lot of happy memories from my childhood. That said, I did unfortunately experience some abusive situations throughout my youth. As a child dealing with something like this on the homefront there aren’t a lot of other places to go, so you’re left to deal with the situation head-on. I needed something to provide me comfort, that could transport me (at least in my mind) to a happier place. An idea came to me at a young age “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a hoodie that I could put on that could make me feel a little better in my day?” A hoodie that, no matter what was going on, would give me that “ahh” feeling as soon as I put it on. The search was on….
We reviewed and tested many iterations, but we were being very picky about making sure that this staple hoodie was made with THE perfect fabric. The more I traveled the world with Sportiqe – and spent more time with our customers, partners, friends of the brand etc. – I knew I wasn’t the only one who needed a little more comfort in their everyday life. I realized I was one of many people who could use a special hoodie in their closet.
In the second year of Sportiqe, I became friends with Greg Olsen. Greg was a rookie for the Chicago Bears, and pretty much as soon as we were introduced, we became fast friends. What I loved about Greg was not the way he played the game, but it was his Captain America-like spirit off the field. Greg is a physically humongous human being, but it is his kind spirit, and willingness to help people, even complete strangers, have a better day/life that inspired me. Greg and his wife Kara, and I have spent quite a bit of time together. Dinner after games, their foundation events, Florida trips in the off season, etc.; I think the most amazing thing about hanging out with Greg is that no matter how you were feeling earlier in the day, I guarantee you will leave your time after hanging out with Greg with a smile on your face, and a positive outlook on the rest of the day. Greg and Kara are some of the most caring individuals I have gotten the chance to be around. Greg is paid by large companies to promote their products, but Greg always proudly represents Sportiqe.
Greg was really one our first athlete/celeb fans of Sportiqe. Although we now all have kids , live in opposite ends of the country, and are often pulled in a bunch of different directions, we still manage to keep in touch. Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation and The HEARTest Yard Program is something that Sportiqe has been a proud supporter of since its inception.
We finally found the fabric for the hoodie that I manifested as a kid. As soon as I put on the first sample, it immediately had that “AHHHHHHH” feeling when it touched my skin. We found it! When we were trying to figure out a name for the hoodie, I knew that the name had to have a lot of significance. I immediately went back to my younger self and asked: “Who would be the person I would want with me as a young kid dealing with the difficult situation I was in?” After giving it a lot of thought, one person stuck out, and it was Greg. I knew that a hug and a pat on the back from Greg, and a “come on guy we got this!” (in typical Greg fashion), was not only what I needed, but EVERYONE would want. Also knowing Greg, if he could go out and give every person in need a hug, he would do it. Since that isn’t possible, I knew that naming this special hoodie the OLSEN hoodie would allow Sportiqe, and Greg for that matter, to accomplish our shared goal of making people more comfortable in their everyday life.
We finally found the fabric for the hoodie that I manifested as a kid. As soon as I put on the first sample, it immediately had that “AHHHHHHH” feeling when it touched my skin. We found it! When we were trying to figure out a name for the hoodie, I knew that the name had to have a lot of significance. I immediately went back to my younger self and asked: “Who would be the person I would want with me as a young kid dealing with the difficult situation I was in?” After giving it a lot of thought, one person stuck out, and it was Greg. I knew that a hug and a pat on the back from Greg, and a “come on guy we got this!” (in typical Greg fashion), was not only what I needed, but EVERYONE would want. Also knowing Greg, if he could go out and give every person in need a hug, he would do it. Since that isn’t possible, I knew that naming this special hoodie the OLSEN hoodie would allow Sportiqe, and Greg for that matter, to accomplish our shared goal of making people more comfortable in their everyday life.
Fast forward to the present the OLSEN hoodie is by far our best selling hoodie at Sportiqe. It is now a staple in people's closets. We are so fortunate to hear so many stories from our herd of when and where they wear their Sportiqe OLSEN hoodie, and how they make sure to wear it in their most needed times of comfort, either happy or sad occasions.
I think it came full circle when Kara and Greg were faced with all of the health issues with their son TJ’s heart. It was every DR/hospital visit that you would see Kara and Greg in their OLSEN hoodies. It was the OLSEN hoodie that they would wear in THEIR time of need. As much as I physically wanted to be there for them and give them a hug, I knew the OLSEN hoodie was doing just that. TJ, I’m so happy to report, is now doing great!
The month of February, in honor of American Heart Month, it’s Sportiqe’s honor to continue our mission to help kids and their families in need, and support Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation and The HEARTest Yard Program.
- Jason Franklin
IT's AMERICAN HEART MONTH
BUY AN OLSEN, MAKE A DIFFERENCE
For the month of February, a portion of the proceeds from every Olsen Hoodie purchase will go back to Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation and The HEARTest Yard Program.
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