Highschoolers always seem to be looking for ways to make a quick buck. Jon Petrou, senior, is no exception. But instead of taking a traditional route, Petrou has used his passion for art to design and paint hats that he sells at music festivals. Bear Facts talked with Petrou about his work, inspirations, and future plans.
What inspired you to start making hats?
Jon Petrou: I started about five months ago. I got into it because I was bored, to be honest. I had a hat I wore often, but it was just black with a blue logo, so I decided to spice it up and paint my own brim. I just jumped right in and got started. After that, I just kept [painting and designing] blank hats.
How much do you charge per hat and how long do they take to make? How many have you sold so far and overall how many have you made?
JP: The prices have been varying. They’ve been going up though because the time put into designing, painting, and sealing the hat to [the] money [I] gained was poor. I currently charge $40 and soon $50. They may seem kind of a lot, but the amount of thought that goes into the hats is unreal. Every step I take, I make sure that whoever is getting the hat is loving it. I’m always giving them plenty of options based on what they were looking for. The total amount of time ranges from 7-10 hours depending on the complexity of the design. I started out giving [the hats] as gifts. I’ve given four hats as gifts, made three for myself, and sold six, for a total of 13 hats, with two currently being made. I’ve also made two t-shirts and two bandanas.
How do you advertise your hats?
JP: I don’t really, to be honest. I just post them on Facebook when I finish them. Other than that, it is really just people at concerts seeing the ones I made. When people see them, they ask where I got it, I tell them I made it, give them my number, and then that’s how it started to spread. Those people just started telling their friends, and it just spread on its own.
Do you sign your hats?
JP: I have signed a couple of them by request, but I have a copyrighted logo that I use. It’s my branding technique; I always put it in the same spot so it is easily recognizable. I went through the government’s copyright website, followed those steps, and I made sure I was positive I liked it (which I did). It’s my original work.
What are your future plans for hat design?
JP: In the near future, I plan to make a bunch, bring them to [music] festivals, and sell them for $70 each. There are many customers who look to buy custom gear at festivals. I also want to do a weekly hat bid, where I make one hat a week or so and put it up for bid online.
