May 6, 2016
Stay Home Club
Maker Spotlight
![Screen Shot 2016-05-04 at 9.59.22 AM](https://www.renegadecraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Screen-Shot-2016-05-04-at-9.59.22-AM.png)
Where did your business name come from? Is there an interesting history behind it?
It came from one of my favorite song titles: “Stay Home” by American Football, but also happens to describe the original intention of starting the business – giving myself the ability to work from home! Over the years we’ve grown into a team with a bigger office space, but the original spirit of Stay Home Club remains the same.
When/Why did you start working in this particular craft/field?
After finishing a university degree in fibres, I was still attracted to the field of illustration. Combining the two into a surface design endeavor seemed natural.
What do you think sets your designs apart from others?
A swath of small t-shirt/accessory companies have entered the market since we began in 2012, many with a lookalike aesthetic and similar themes. When we started putting out t-shirts with slogans like “Stay Home Club,” “Awful,” and “Boring is Best,” they were coming from a genuine place – I’ve always felt this way about the world, and strongly identified as a disdainful person in my early 20s who didn’t want to go out and party. It’s been slightly frustrating, but also amusing watching this attitude become quite a trend. I suppose I can say that the genuine sentiment behind our designs is what sets them aside from many other brands.
![march-slide-2](https://www.renegadecraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/march-slide-2.jpg)
Have you sacrificed anything to create your business? If so, what was it, and do you have any regrets?
I never really wanted a social life anyway…hah.
What has been your proudest/favorite moment since creating your business?
Definitely when the company incorporated and I was able to put 3 other people on payroll. The feeling of having this business support not only myself but others, too, is pretty amazing.
![laurels 2](https://www.renegadecraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/laurels-2.jpg)
How does the city you live in influence your work?
Montreal has a large artistic community which I think is in part related to our rent being cheap compared to most big North American cities. It’s a place where if you work hard, you can be self-employed and really live well.
![march-slide-6](https://www.renegadecraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/march-slide-6.jpg)