Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Clarke.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Patrick. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
If you have ever traveled to Cape Cod, then you already know that it’s a place that never truly leaves you. For as long as I can remember, this place has been home; all of my best memories live here. But growing up, like all kids, our summer fun was cut short by the school year and I would spend the next nine months plotting the adventures that lay ahead the next summer.
As my days in college began to wrap up, I realized I had to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I started trading summer adventures for good internships; giving up the carefree summer days on the Cape for a (seemingly) secure future. After graduating, I spent one more summer on Cape Cod to soak it all in. It was a short period in my life, but those few months still live vividly in my memory. I told myself that I would someday make my way back here, spending summers just like I did all those years.
After that, I spent nearly a decade “climbing the corporate ladder” in Boston. I was still making it down to Cape Cod, but things were different. I had lost the sense of community and purpose that had driven me during my formative years. At the same time, I felt lost in my career path and lacked passion for what I was doing. I made a choice to channel the angst developing inside of me and use it to create something positive. I kept asking myself, “How can I reclaim these feelings, share it with others, and make real change in our world?”
It was in the wake of these questions that I found the humble beginnings of my new career and aspirations, searching to reclaim the summer days that once made me feel so alive.
In 2013, I created a bracelet shaped like Cape Cod. Happy with how the prototypes were turning out, I began to hide them in geocaches near my home in Woods Hole, then sharing the locations on social media. I was surprised at how much attention this got, and followers began reaching out about purchasing the bracelets. It became clear that there was a viable business opportunity, so I decided to take the plunge, only after decided that my brand would be committed to making a difference in the world through a nonprofit partnership model. I selected our first nonprofit partner, the Cape Cod National Seashore, built a website, and called the brand Cape Clasp. After selling out of the first batch of our bracelets, I started to work on expanding our line to support more nonprofit causes, and Cape Clasp began to grow into what it is today.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The biggest setback we have dealt with is from overseas manufacturers ripping off our products. I have to admit, the first time I saw one of these fakes, my gut dropped. Our company had just started to find success, and already we had competitors nipping at our heels.
Rather than dwell, I knew that my energy would be better spent investing in our brand, giving back to our partners, and sharing our story along the way. It inspired us to work harder and move faster. I truly believe you will never win with someone else’s idea, and you will never lose chasing what you love to do. More and more, we see our own fans calling out the fakes and coming to our defense – that is really cool to see.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Cape Clasp – what should we know?
Cape Clasp is a purpose-driven jewelry brand on a mission to #makewaves for marine life causes. For each of our designs, we partner with a different marine life organization and donate 15 percent of our profits to support their cause. In 2017 alone, we donated more than $10,000 to our nonprofit partners, helping to protect marine life and preserve coastal areas around the world.
Ever since the beginning, we have made our nonprofit partnership model a core element of our business, believing that doing good can be good business. We strongly believe that businesses have the power to tackle the world’s most pressing issues, and we are committed to playing our part.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I couldn’t have done without the help of my girlfriend, Haley (@haleyeastcoast). Everyday, we tell the story of what it takes to grow a purpose-driven brand from the ground up. We have built momentum though hard work, and she has been there every step of the way for the past 5 years. More recently, our dog Fisher joined the team and he has become a huge part of our brand and story as well. Thanks Fishy Boy!
We also truly appreciate the support of our community and non-profit partners as we work to build a business with impact.
Pricing:
- Our products are available at capeclasp.com and range from $30 – $60.
Contact Info:
- Address: 118 South St.
Boston, MA 02111 - Website: www.capeclasp.com
- Phone: 4017873656
- Email: pclarke@capeclasp.com
- Instagram: @capeclasp
- Facebook: facebook.com/CapeClasp
- Twitter: @capeclasp
Image Credit:
@capeclasp
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