When the Covid-19 pandemic found us isolated in our homes, JM–the founder of Polychrome Goods–saw an opportunity to get creative. “I found a lot of time on my hands, like a lot of people,” he tells me. “I picked up a lot of hobbies and crafts.” First, JM got an opportunity to sew masks for a local charity. Lucky for him–and the Clamshell Foundation–he’d purchased a sewing machine months before the pandemic began. Sewing masks and taking on artistic hobbies brought back the joy of creation JM had known as a kid. “I found a lot of fun and joy in creating things, and I started sharing some things online as a side project.”
Polychrome Goods began with a simple idea: JM loves to share funny and quirky things every day. He started making phone cases for friends, then he explored food-based designs and “stupid puns.” JM loves kitsch. “It’s so not serious,” he tells me.
Because JM had the ability to print on-demand, he knew that he could stock an online storefront with all his quirky creations, whether or not they became popular best-sellers. Lucky for him, many of them did.
Polychrome Goods is a colorful, quirky, and zeitgeist-y collection of accessories and apparel that allows JM to indulge in his creative side, and showcase his love of the 24-hour news cycle. Need a Moo Deng hat? JM’s got you covered. What about a tank featuring a stick of butter? In a complicated world with serious problems, JM creates apparel and accessories with a smile and a wink. “Does everyone need a new tee shirt?” JM asks. “No, but maybe that’s going to make them happy.” Working with accessible price points, Polychrome Goods is not only a treat yourself destination, but the perfect place to find unexpected gifts.
When it comes to running his own small business, JM tries to focus on what’s ahead. “When I started, I promised myself that I wouldn’t let the hard times weigh on me too much, because I’m doing something I’m passionate about.” He also wants consumers to know that there’s a real person behind the brand who is creating things consciously. “I want to continue to put things out there that make people happy, and I always want to hear feedback.”
As JM explores new ideas and prepares for the holiday rush, he’s looking forward to his second year in business. Everyone at Pink Robin, meanwhile, is thrilled to bring you his joyful designs.
‘TIS the season for an adorable vintage corduroy cap from Polychrome Goods, available now on Pink Robin Shop. Available in five perfect fall colors, you won’t leave the house without it.
Hey there. Laura Leigh here. I’m a wife, writer, mama, small business owner, podcast host, and the Head of Content here at Pink Robin.
I love supporting the queer community and bringing shared experiences to life.
If you have a story to tell, I’m here for it.
lauraleigh@pinkrobinshop.com
I remember when my wife and I first became moms, I knew that our ability to “pass” was behind us. I was never going to pretend that my wife and family were something other than exactly who they were. It was freeing to know that I had to live my queer life out loud, that I would forever be myself in every space, all the time.
In a 2023 CNN article Daniel Korschun, associate professor of marketing at Drexel University explained that when it comes to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, executives “are becoming much more skittish about taking these stands and making strong statements.
According to a 2022 Pew Research Poll, roughly eight-in-ten U.S. adults say there is at least some discrimination against transgender people in our society. Because trans rights have become such a contentious issue across the country, companies that used to view supporting pride as “low stakes” have become less likely to support the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. “The pendulum is swinging a bit back … toward a more conservative approach, where they’ll be less vocal,” says Korschun. According to a recent NBC News article, Target stores will only sell pride merchandise in select locations this year. The retailer will not have Pride collections in about half of their locations. Additionally, they will only sell pride merchandise for adults.
An argument that Target has made in the past and is now using again is that this decision protects their LGBTQ+ employees, but let’s be clear: Conditional allyship is not support. Pulling queer merchandise from their shelves and essentially pretending that we don’t exist–and ignoring those of us who have children that want to celebrate pride with us–is detrimental to our community. Erasure threatens our safety. This weekend my mom told me that she’s done with Target. Like her, I can’t say I feel good about spending my money in a place that doesn’t value my family. As of today, the ACLU is currently tracking 515 anti-LGBTQ bills in the U.S. We exist, and abandoning us only endangers us.
