Today we’d like to introduce you to Alvin and Cheri Lynn Ong.
Alvin and Cheri, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It was during our trip to San Diego Comic Con back in 2011 where we attending for a portfolio review of hoping to find employment for Cheri as an artist. One of the company executives from Nickelodeon thought we were pitching for a show as she could not believe how thorough and professional our presentation was. Another company executive looked at our work and mentioned why we were even looking for a job as we can actually be exhibitors at the show floor as our work was great! We looked at each other and knew this was the confirmation we needed, we applied the next year in an area they call Small Press, a section at the San Diego Convention Center where they feature original creators who write and create their own art and books occupying a small six-foot table to display all their wares. This was a juried area and we were blessed to get accepted on our first try among thousands of applicants.
During this time we cranked up some handmade plush toys, prints and released a couple of books and shirts. Little did we know that this was a start of something special. We ended up selling out at Comic Con and if that was not enough, we also got invited by a representative of Walt Disney Animation Studios to talk what Disney was about, what we were interested in and take a tour of the studio. In other words, we were invited to pitch! At this time, we were two newbies who just started. This really meant a lot to us and we both knew there was something here.
Fast forward several years, we have traveled all over the country doing the biggest events and festivals and started licensing our characters and art in US and Asia. We also just opened our storefront at the Fairview Town Center in Fairview, TX right beside the Allen Outlet malls.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The struggle we face is that we do not have any financial backing nor a family or relative that we can take the kids to. We had to do everything ourselves. Alvin worked full time as a computer engineer until 2014 and was working with the business part-time. Due to a layoffs at my place of work, we knew it was time to put the pedal on the metal. We both jumped in full time with the business and never looked back.
Furry Feline Creatives – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Furry Feline Creatives is the character design studio and lifestyle brand with a vision to create inclusivity and dedication to family. Our business idea supports this vision by offering a wide range of well-designed, humorous and family-friendly products using our original cast of whimsical characters that will brighten someone’s day.
Cheri with no previous sewing background, started sewing plush toys with the drawings she made in her childhood days while Alvin wrote stories influenced by people’s personalities, interests and experience. These were projected in these wonderful and appealing cast of characters. Since then, we developed into a full family lifestyle brand.
“We wanted to make something real and personal. We are unique, we all got stories to tell and that what makes it so special and original”.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Being on national TV (WFAA) on Good Morning Texas talking about “Poop”. In all seriousness, we took the high road in creating all original characters and content. We didn’t want to create another Superman, Batman or any of the Marvel characters or dress our characters as such. Plus, that is actually doing copyright infringement!. We are proud that we introduced our characters in this world and made a statement and getting them known and told our unique stories.
Pricing:
- Super soft Tshirts $25-30
- Dresses $50-69
- Art Prints $15
- Toys $15 and up.
Contact Info:
- Address: 259 Town Place Fairview, TX 75069
- Website: www.furry-feline.com
- Phone: 469-6302287
- Email: info@furry-feline.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/furryfelinecreatives
- Facebook: facebook.com/furryfeline
- Twitter: twitter.com/furry_feline
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