This is one of a series of stories we are sharing to show what’s inside CubeSmart. You not only get a peek inside our customer’s storage unit, but also a peek inside what is important to them. Thank you to Jonathan, customer of our CubeSmart store in Brooklyn, for sharing his story with us.
Jonathan Jones came to Brooklyn, NY, from his hometown of Pittsburg, Mississippi on an entrepreneurial mission: to create a successful clothing line. At his CubeSmart storage unit at the 945 Atlantic Avenue facility, he has the makings of his emerging company Anurafrox—printing machines, clothes, and copies of his memoir/inspiration book.
“I’ve been here roughly five months and I’m staying to work on my endeavors. Before I was here I was in Baton Rouge but I’ve found New York to be much more inspiring and the people are more supportive than back home.”
The Anurafrox clothing line is starting out with basic hoodies, t-shirts, joggers, long-sleeve shirts and caps with its signature frog logo and Jonathan says it will “progress from there.” The logo, he says, has spiritual meaning.
“I came up with it when I was in a deep creating state. At first, I didn’t know what it would look like but then it all came to me. The red stands for the earth and the green stands for the spirit—it’s a very deep thing. Anybody can create a clothing line but not everyone can make it meaningful.”
The road hasn’t been easy for Jonathan, who at times has been homeless, but even so, he’s stayed true to his vision in building his brand.
“It’s just been a magnet for me. No matter what has happened when I had a job or not, I’ve continued to work on it. I’ve just stayed positive, producing a product, and inspiring people to wear it.”
The book, he says, is something of a companion project, meant to encourage other people with creative concepts to chase their dreams. A fan of Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People, he sees his writing in that vein.
“Whatever it is—whether you want to do hair or have your own shoe line I want to help you transform. The book talks about my experiences, about being homeless, about my family. Next year it will be out on Amazon.”
With the help of his cousin, Jonathan is planning a product launch party back home in Mississippi. He expects a DJ and artists, and he’s planning giveaways for youth attendees. His own two daughters, who are 12 and 9, live in Mississippi with their mother and continue to keep him inspired.
“I am trying to teach them so that they’re equipped to be out here in the world. I want them to look up to me as a role model and to know that they can live out their dreams, too.”
We’d love to hear how self storage has positively impacted your life. Share your #HumansofSelfStorage story in the comments.
