Two Augustana College students have launched a line of clothing with a young style, a young fan base and a dog logo. That clothing line – called Dog Complex – features hoodies, buff neck T-shirts and regular fit T-shirts in many different colors and often colorful designs. “We are strongly influenced by all things art, […]
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Two Augustana College students have launched a line of clothing with a young style, a young fan base and a dog logo.
That clothing line – called Dog Complex – features hoodies, buff neck T-shirts and regular fit T-shirts in many different colors and often colorful designs.
“We are strongly influenced by all things art, music, athletics and skateboarding. This is our niche,” according to their Dog Complex website.
The “we” behind Dog Complex are Augustana students Caden Foulke, 21, and Aykeem Spivey, 20.
It has almost been a year since the two Augie students formed their Dog Complex company. In that time, they say they have learned much about running a business. Some of those lessons include:
Perhaps topping the “learning moments” list is remembering why they launched the Dog Complex line – to create art they like on quality clothing.
Mr. Spivey added that it’s great that many people like their products, but the two students need to create art and design garments that they like. “Make sure you are doing it for you, nobody else,” he added.
Part of the learning process also has been taking care of all the big and little jobs of getting a clothing line moving – from designing the clothing to marketing, finding suppliers and many other jobs.
Some of Mr. Spivey’s learning process involved photographing Dog Complex clothing products for the company website. He added the first photo shoot was a long, hectic and frustrating experience that took days. But he learned from it and the second photo shoot was much less hectic.
- Balancing the demands of a clothing business while being full-time students and members of the Augustana football team is difficult, but it can be done.
- Making mistakes, learning from those miscues and making adjustments to the business are all part of the business process.
- It’s good to make plans for the future and consider the best moves forward for Dog Complex.
‘Learning moments’
Even though the pair are happy a loyal customer base is starting to form, they say the past year has been filled with what Mr. Foulke calls many “learning moments.”
Perhaps topping the “learning moments” list is remembering why they launched the Dog Complex line – to create art they like on quality clothing.
Mr. Spivey added that it’s great that many people like their products, but the two students need to create art and design garments that they like. “Make sure you are doing it for you, nobody else,” he added.
Part of the learning process also has been taking care of all the big and little jobs of getting a clothing line moving – from designing the clothing to marketing, finding suppliers and many other jobs.
Some of Mr. Spivey’s learning process involved photographing Dog Complex clothing products for the company website. He added the first photo shoot was a long, hectic and frustrating experience that took days. But he learned from it and the second photo shoot was much less hectic.
The future of Dog Complex
The two Augie students have two business goals in the near future: Keep making high-quality shirts; and expand the product offerings to perhaps include shorts, hats and sweats. But the future of Dog Complex could go to another level next year after Mr. Spivey and Mr. Foulke both graduate from Augustana. At that point, both will have more time to devote to the company. “We’d love to see Dog Complex become a standout clothing and art company in the future, somewhere out West,” Mr. Foulke said in a message to the QCBJ. It’s also possible, Dog Complex will partner with other like-minded entrepreneurs in the clothing field. During a recent interview with the QCBJ, the two men said they have been in contact with others in the streetwear clothing business. A partnership might be in the works at some point. “We could be reaching out to bigger dogs soon,” Mr. Foulke added.Dog Complex - At A Glance:
- History: The online clothing business was started in March 2022 by Augustana College students. Before the business was called Dog Complex, they called it Niche Market. “Dog complex was started by two college roommates who share an affinity for aesthetics. We are strongly influenced by all things art, music, athletics, and skateboarding. This is our niche,” according to the company website.
- The owners: Caden Foulke, 21, and Aykeem Spivey, 20, are both juniors at Augustana in Rock Island. Mr. Foulke is a graphic design/business-marketing major. Mr. Spivey is a psychology/art major.
- The new name: Dog Complex is a play on the phrase “God Complex.” The students changed it to “dog” because dogs embody characteristics of their company: fun, loyal and hard working. The Dog Complex logo is a stylized version of Mr. Foulke’s dog.
- Product shipping policy: According to the company website: “For environmental and human friendly reasons, clothing products are only made when you order them. Typically, the products will be made in about a week. We will send you tracking information as soon as it’s in the mail.”
- Target audience: Young, college-aged students and skateboarders.
- Prices: Clothing items range from about $29 to $59.
- Company website: complexdog.com
- Contact Dog Complex: [email protected]
