 "Photo: Special to The Daily Gamecock")
"What's your much?"
That's the question being asked by the three young creators of Much Originals, a Columbia-based apparel design company.
Richard Spyker, a fourth-year advertising student, is the marketing director for Much.
"The phrase was used everywhere, 'drinkmuch?,' 'fishmuch?,' and it was catchy. We didn't want it to be a question but rather a statement. My much is jamming, it's just what you want to do in life," Spyker said.
During a 2007 spring break trip to Panama City Beach, Fla., eight South Carolina students were sharing a cooler when someone looked inside and said "Drink much?" That phrase sparked the question of "What's your much?" and a company was born.
"We usually devote about two hours of work a day which can be hard to balance with school, but we started this for fun," said Spyker. "'Whatsyourmuch?' is about doing what you do, enjoying it and sticking with it."
Spyker said he hopes the company can grow as large as the "Life is Good" brand.
Comprised of Spyker and two other employees, graphic designer Tim Rodono, a fourth-year visual communications student and sales director Justin Bowers, a University of South Carolina graduate, the company hopes to work with charities and does original designs.
"We made 'Sleepmuch?' for the night staff of Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, N.C., and 'Lovemuch?' for the girls tennis team of Summerville High School," said Spyker. "We can meet with the person and create whatever they need."
Much Originals is also giving people a chance to get politically involved. In honor of the election year, the company has created "Votemuch?" shirts, with $3 of the proceeds being donated to the candidate's campaign of the purchaser's choice.
The brand now sells "SouthCarolinaMuch?" and "FishMuch?" shirts out of Palmetto Moon in Charleston's Northwoods Mall, as well as shirts, pong balls and stickers on their website, www.whatsyourmuch.com.
The Web site boasts a Whatsyourmuch? Gallery, inviting customers to send in pictures and videos of them enjoying their hobby and sporting their Much gear.
"We want to see people doing their favorite hobby," said Spyker. "We want it to become a video and blogspot where someone can network with other individuals who enjoy the same thing and share stories and information."
The Much logo can be seen all around campus as the brand becomes more popular.
"I love my 'SouthCarolinaMuch?' shirt," said Chauna Martinez, a second-year international studies student. "I'm from Texas so whenever I wear it at home, I get a lot of compliments and people want to know what it's about."
According to the website, "Much is whatever you want it to be. Whoever you are, how ever you live, much is your way to express it."
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