Today we’d like to introduce you to Evan Wargolet.
Hi Evan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was a kid I wanted to be an entrepreneur. You might think that someone young might not understand that, but I knew that entrepreneurs were people who wanted to solve problems in the world, while making something for themselves that is bigger than ones self. Later on I was part of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin that made me think, I want to form my own nonprofit, so I can help youth like myself.
Time goes on. I not only have started Conquered Kings, but am actively supporting nonprofits in my current role in Social Impact. I always knew in the back of my mind, that this is great work, but I want it to be something more. Something bigger. I turned 30 in 2020 and dreams differed, were no longer going to be a thing. One dream was to make a profitable business who I could funnel my profits to support giving. At first I started off with vending machines, figuring I could learn a lot about business on a micro scale. This gave me the opportunity to mistakes without blowing up my whole operation. Vending was fine, but it wasn’t my passion. This lead me down a path of something I want to see and truly want to own. Currently, Conquered Kings LLC is venturing into rebellious clothing. Clothing that makes a statement, with the backbone of questioning authority. Focusing on that theme, our giveback will focus on education. We do this because we believe that an educated mind is a dangerous one.
I have grand ambitions for the products I want to build, but like any problem you want to solve, Dunning Kruger effect is present, and it is strong with me. The Dunning Kruger effect is where you think you know everything there is to know to about a subject when you start and then realize there is so much more to it. Conquered Kings brand is only just getting started. We are building our line up of rebellious clothes to remind those that wear our products, that they can take on the world, and be the change that they want to see. Conquer their King. That king can be building a successful company to help the world, like mine. It could be that promotion you want, that car you desire, the body you want. Whatever it is, we want you to feel empowered and hopefully we helped you along the way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has it been smooth? No, but no learning and growing experience ever really is. Growth happens outside the comfort zone. One of my old bosses used to say that the pain you feel now, learning, making mistakes, trying to grow…. that’s your tuition, your costs. Learning the easy way or the hard way. Conquered Kings is still in the development (when are we ever never not developing?) and the growth phase. I am still working towards my first initial ideas as I build capital, knowledge, connections, and skills. I want to make tough, yet functional products that are fashionable. Until that full dream can be realized, we can still make an impact and make people feel good about the clothes they wear and the message they send to the world. There is still so much to learn, grow, experience, and figure out but that’s the exciting part. The hard work, which sometimes people don’t see, is the part that not only betters yourself, but the brand that is being built.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Conquered Kings is a rebellious brand Our logo is a skull with a crown. It is a reminder that nothing is insurmountable, change can happen, and all it takes is the hard work. We are known for our rebellious spirit, our awesome logo, and our tenacity. I feel like some brands rest on their laurels, while I try and think of new perspectives. Try to touch on topics others might only imply or speak about. My next collection of shirts will focus on histories greats, and how we can learn from history. History will repeat itself, if we do not learn from it and take ownership of our timeline. Some problems might feel like “thats the way it’s always been” or “it sucks but cant do anything about it.” Those sentiments are absurd. Systems are made by people and people can be influenced and changed; we can shape those systems for good.
I am proud of our logo and branding. The script font, and firm blocky letters – reminiscent of other familiar logos but different as these two elements are not combined typically.
Above most iterations of the font logo, you will notice a skull with a crown. Skull signifying death, and a crown which soffits royalty. Most work is being done to make it rival others like moral patches or on polos, so keep an eye out for a larger assortment as we gain momentum. Our operation is currently one person as a side hustle, which will hopefully will be large and in charge. Our operation believe in quality over quantity, and we hold our products to high expectations.
My brand is being built on subtle details. Details that only the wearer knows, basically Easter eggs for you to find out. It’s in the subtlest details that really complete an outfit.
How do you define success?
I used to think of success as reaching a certain prestige: having a big house, fancy cars and the best clothes. As I am getting older, stories have been told and my outlook has changed. I still want to achieve those material things, because it is good to have goals to strive for. Success is not a zero sum game and can have a changing defition. Success is fully on how you define it.
The story that stuck out to me the most was two men, both who were near death, were looking back at their life. One man viewed everything as a glass half full. He wasn’t able to achieve the big house, the millions of dollars, and felt like he was a failure because he didn’t achieve his grand ambitions. Man two however, saw that he had made it. He was successful. He had the exact same as man one, but replied that he had a happy marriage, two lovely kids who he was able to provide for and give them more then he had, and that was enough for him. He was content.
I think we should all strive to shoot for the moon, because if we miss we land among the stars. We also need to be realistic. We have to realize that not every goal we set out to achieve will be won. One goal I had in college was to be our schools mascots. Competition was stiff, I tried my best to hedge my bets and going about and beyond. I interviewed former and current mascots, I took acting, dancing, and improv classes to improve my chances. Despite my growth. I was never able to get to be the mascot. However, I grew during the process and developed some transferable skills.
Conquered Kings has both short term and long term goals for success. Short term includes Sales, Customer Attraction and Retention. Long Term success will be Growth and to Fully Fund Education Initiatives.
“What you do for yourself, dies with you. What you do for others and the world, lives on.”
Pricing:
- $10-70
Contact Info:
- Website: ConqueredKings.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conqueredkings/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConqueredKings
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/conquered_kings
- Other: https://linktr.ee/ConqueredKings
Image Credits
Guy with Shirt – Credit to Dreams Aside All others Evan Wargolet and Samantha Rhode
