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    October 25, 2018 By Michael Draper

    Growing with Purpose Podcast: "You Can't Fake Authenticity" with Michael Draper

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    There's no way to fake authenticity. If you really love your business and care about it, people will naturally gravitate to you. After over a decade of building his t-shirt company, Michael Draper knows firsthand that it takes hard work every day to build a truly great business.

    Today on the Growing with Purpose podcast, host Paul Spiegelman talks with Michael Draper, Founder and Owner of RAYGUN, a clothing store headquartered in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. What started as Michael selling t-shirts on the streets of his college campus has grown into a $4 million business with 70 employees and four locations. For over a decade, Michael's authentic passion for what RAYGUN is all about has kept the business afloat, even in the face of financial crises and industry changes. 

    In this episode, hear how Michael built a thriving clothing business with a history degree, no money, and no experience.
     
    Tune into Michael's story below: 

    Jump to a specific topic  

    [1:36] Selling T-Shirts on the Street After College
    [4:16] Learning a 'Come In Every Day' Work Ethic
    [21:44] Dependability Trumps Everything
    [29:47] Growing for the Sake of Creativity
    [36:51] Caring for the Digital Side of Your Brand
    [43:24] Raising Four Happy Kids (It's Harder than it Sounds!)

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    About Author

    Michael Draper

    Michael Draper is the founder and owner of RAYGUN, a clothing store headquartered in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Founded in 2004, RAYGUN is a labor of love with a long and storied journey to growth. Today, RAYGUN is a $4 million company with about 70 employees and 4 locations. Having been immersed in product and production for over a decade, RAYGUN has developed a deep respect for the people who make things. Their house brand of shirts is made in America's oldest Fair Trade Certified factory in Los Angeles.

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