Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ira Browne. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ira, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from my hope in the Lord. Being on this particular journey, you have to have faith, hope and an understanding that things will work out for your good. Optimism and hope is sometimes all we have. My optimism comes from my trust in the Lord. My optimism comes from seeing him do it before, so I know he’ll do it again. That is where my optimism comes from, and how I stay so positive and full of hope on this journey. Jesus keeps me positive and optimistic.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Peace and love to everyone reading this, I really appreciate your time. My name is Ira, and my brand is the Sunday school collection. This is our 10th year in business and things are getting better and better every day.
A little bit about myself. I’m 37, and I’m from New York City. Queens to be specific, but I live in East Harlem now. I enjoy reading my Bible, and riding my bike, not at the same time of course lol My mission is to represent the body of Christ in a positive and pleasant way. The goal is to be more than just another guy selling Christian T-shirts.
This brand was started to encourage others, and to help spread the word of God. I realize that so many people simply don’t know Jesus. Many people don’t have the same relationship with our Lord that we have. Many people just don’t know how good our God is. Part of this brand’s mission, is simply to let them know. We want to help spread the word of God to people who don’t know Him yet, in a fun and welcoming way.
Another goal of the brand is to encourage those who know the Lord, to keep the faith, and to stay focused. I just want be a positive representation of the body of Christ. I want my brand to be fun, and to represent the body of Christ in a great way. I’ve learned over the last few years that there are way more young adults out there who loved Jesus than I realized. Way more people in general, whether older or younger, who genuinely love the Lord. I do too, and I want to connect and fellowship with these people in whatever way possible. We social media as a way to communicate and share. I want to make sure that my platforms are a safe space, and a place that people know the Lord is being praised.
Although this began as a clothing line, we have expanded to having many different departments of our brand. We’ve had Sunday School radio, which are gospel songs, mixed with modern hip-hop beats. We’ve had Sunday school TV, which is basically showing the day-to-day life of me promoting my brand. Last summer I was able to get an affiliate deal with Huffy bikes, and showcase my love for biking. This summer, the focus has been on music, specifically choirs. To be even more specific, HBCU choirs. As a brand, we are always expanding and trying new things to showcase the Lord in a fun and positive way.
Although we have not had much success monetarily, the journey in itself has been amazing. It would be amazing to sell 1 million shirts, but even more amazing to see 1 million souls be saved. It has been an adventurous decade. The growth of the brand, and the ability to be able to continually showcase our God is truly a blessing. The prayer is to be able to continue to do this, but in a bigger and better fashion every year.
Up next, our goal is just to continue expanding as a brand. We don’t want to ever be stagnant or repetitive. We want to continue to evolve and grow. We’ve gone from basic T-shirts, to now having a speaker lol We have cups, backpacks, a jacket, we even just dropped our first pair of sneakers! We have everything you can imagine as a brand, just to make sure that we’re giving people more than just Christian T-shirts. Also with the clothing, we’ve gone from scriptures tees, to animation and cartoon clothing. Up next, we have a whole line of encouraging positive expression shirts. Simple and uplifting Bible sayings. Pray that they’re successful!
In conclusion, thank you again to anyone reading this. We pray that you check out our brand if you haven’t already, and that enjoy what you see when you do. Thank you so much for your time.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
This is such an interesting question and makes me really think back over the years as to what is what are the most important skills and qualities over this journey. I hope this answer is ok.
One area of knowledge that has been an advantage to me, is simply the Bible. As basic as that sounds to us as believers, many people don’t know the word of the Lord. I would say actually reading the Bible, and knowing the word of God for myself, has been essential on my journey. My advice for anyone is to keep the word in your heart. Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute if you can. Like live the word. Living the word, and actually walking by faith, not by sight. Has been great advantage to me personally. Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto Him. Living these words has been a great advantage. The Bible has been my compass if you will, and has directed me along the way. I would advise anyone and everyone to have an actual leatherback KJV, or NKJV Bible in their possession if possible. Even other variations that are easier to read. I like a good NLT myself, but whatever works best for you. Even if it’s an app! That has been a great advantage to me personally.
Another thing on this journey has been an advantage, is the fact that I am filled with the Holy Spirit. Baptized in the water, and the fire. It’s my superpower lol It has been honestly everything. Being filled with the Holy Spirit has been a real advantage. The fruits of the spirit are real and they showcase themselves in my life on a regular basis. I have joy in abundance, and that is nothing but His sweet spirit. Also being able to pray in the spirit and speak in other tongues is everything. I pray that everyone ask the Lord to fill them with His spirit. I hope that that doesn’t sound too far off from the question. If you’re asking, what is the most important quality along this journey, that has been one of the qualities and things that I know has taken me further than I could ever take myself. Also it provides a peace that I’m ready for the next life. Oh death where is thy sting? Knowing that I’m ready for glory, provides and unexplainable peace on this side of life.
Lastly, an area of knowledge that I have would be music, and 90s culture. Both have been a blessing towards the growth of the brand. Being that I was raised in the 90s, my understanding of how cool that era was really helps. Like I had the Stomp single CD lol I remember Bobby Jones gospel and things like that. Showcasing all of the cool sides of the gospel world in that era, has been a great way to connect with people. I am at that age where I’m old to young people, and young to old people. Being in the middle, and having somewhat of an awareness of what’s going on on both sides has been an advantage for me personally. I would tell anyone on this journey to stay aware. Know a little bit about the history of the church, but also know what’s going on now.
My advice on how to improve or develop in these areas, are simply just to stay near the cross. By that I simply mean to do things on a daily basis, that keep Jesus on your mind. Listen to gospel music as much as possible. Make sure your social media feeds have something Christian related. Whether it be a daily word page or, a funny Christian content page. Make sure that you’re guarding your eyes and ears, and feeding yourself goodness at all times. If you have an earnest desire to do the work He will provide these things and more for you Whether it be filling you with His Holy Spirit, giving you a hunger and thirst for His word, or just allowing you to be aware of what’s going on, the Lord will provide what you need, if you stay close to him. Seek ye first kingdom of God, and all of these things shall be added.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The number one obstacle and challenge, I am currently facing is sales. Although the brand has seen some success on social media, followers don’t equate to sales. After almost a decade of doing this, we really haven’t had much monetary success at all. That in itself has been a challenge.
I love the Lord, but I am not a salesman lol It can be tough to design shirts that no one buys. It can be tough to post, and post, and post products, that people just see and keep scrolling. That can make you feel like your products are wack, and not up to par. That can be a challenge. Just staying positive and knowing that the greater goal is encouraging others, In spite of how much money is made, can be tough. It is sometimes tough to tell people that I’ve been doing this for 10 years. Some people look at it like I am persistent and consistent, which is nice. Others look at it like I am a failure, and an unsuccessful businessman. That has been the challenge and a daily struggle in itself, but God is good.
What I do to overcome this challenge is just stay positive and see the bigger picture. I also know that things can change at a moments notice. I am OK with the lack of financial success, because progress is being made, and I am grateful for that. I am grateful for the growth of the brand. I am grateful for this interview. Someone saw the brand, and is interested in knowing a little more? That’s wassup! That is a blessing to me! Thank you Jesus! This in itself, just me being able to talk about my brand and express myself, is how I overcome this challenge. The daily growth and things that happen, keep me going. The surprises that the Lord places in my life, keep me going. The fact that the word says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”, keeps me going. God is what helps me resolve and overcome these challenges. And like I said, before, I am saved, sanctified, Holy ghost filled, and fire baptized. Whether the brand is monetarily successful or not, I’m ok because I feel like the Lord is pleased with the work that is being done.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SundaySchoolCollection.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesundayschoolcollection/profilecard/?igsh=NWl6aDE2aHF4Yzlm
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/thesundayschoolcollection/
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC5v3MkTs137WrlCD5idSDgg
Image Credits
The First picture is me with Tabitha brown.
The second picture is me with a radio personality named Mia Belle from Hot 97
The Fourth picture is me with doing the black church tok podcast (@blackchurchtok) with a group named F.L.O.G.I.C.
The fifth picture is me with the Howard Gospel Choir
The sixth picture is myself with Griff from the Erica Campbell morning show
The seventh picture is Erica Campbell wearing one of our hoodies
The other two pics are just shots with me and my bike.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
