Meet Joey Piemonte

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joey Piemonte. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Joey, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I’m always thinking of something that people haven’t seen yet. In the beginning of making shirts that was the one volume knob in my head I had to “turn down”
Now if a meme or movie scene goes viral overnight my ideas are keeping me up late.
All the while I am completely understanding how the internet can work. If I somehow come up with the next Smiley Face “Have A Nice Day” design that is world famous, I know that the odds of me being know as the original artist is slim and lucky.
I started making upcycled soy candles from beer and liquor bottles in 2009 in Minnesota on my days off and soon got linked up with Etsy and online sales so my second order of wax from the candle wholesale website was 50 lbs.
The candles followed me when I moved to Colorado in 2013 and all the way up to 2020 I was making them and doing fun local collaborations with breweries. In 2021 I had too many “T-shirt Ideas” and just like many others had some extra time to start up a new hobby.
Eventually the price of shipping and other factors faded out how many candles I am doing and the shirts and other items I can do with the sublimation process is such a better outlet for my creativity.
I moved that and all my attention to my Instagram page:
@notyourfathersbs

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I have been a bartender since I was 19. (2006) I have always been a bit artistic and creative. I never joined sports, I just watched and made movies with friends. Got my first job at 14 and learned the value of a dollar.

Being a bartender almost half of my life is almost like I having a major in Sociology.

Currently, I beertend three days a week at Maxline Brewing in Fort Collins, and I also get to call/present the BINGO every week there at 6pm.
That is also a tremendous outlet for me to be able to make custom prizes (Maxline Swag) that is significant to the week’s BINGO theme. Trivia as well (every Tuesday at 6pm)

On Instagram is where you can catch some of my candles still and can order them : @hangovercandleco
, but most of my attention lately goes to the main instagram page: @notyourfathersbs where I try to have a drop every Friday.

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?

I have always listened to podcasts as I do my work/art.

In the beginning of making the candles I started reaching out on Twitter & Instagram messenger and would ask folks that I listened to if I could send in my candles to them in the studio. To me, it was a thank you to them for the feee entertainment they provide me. Although I soon found out that I’d see them in the studio or hear them talk about the candles with a guest and then it became more of a fun game to me to try and get my favorite comedians, podcasters I was listening to a candle or some t- shirts to wear. This idea in “gorilla marketing” has proven to only be worth the effort and the cost.

Never be afraid to ask. That’s all it takes. You never get anything in this world unless you can ask of it.

Never be afraid to say no, but be sure to give it a try first. Getting too much out of your comfort zone for one project isn’t worth the possible “bad memories” it can cause you to have and never want to relive.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

When I follow them and reach out, the comedians that like the tees and things I ship out to them can eventually become collaborators and I get to make things for them to sell as merchandise on tour or on their websites. It is SO MUCH fun. I was lucky enough to make some fun can Koozies for Sam Tallent in the past and just recently did up some “Dr. Phil” koozies for Adam Ray. If you like stand up comedy give them both a goog.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @notyourfathersbs
• Twitter: @hangovercandleco