Somehow, Church is creeping up on 20 years old... and I have the grey hairs and receding hairline to prove it. It started with a handful of t-shirt designs (8 to be exact), and there were probably 30 or more in total over time. I had no idea how to advertise them, so I decided to start Church magazine, or little book ... or whatever you wanna call it, JUST so I could advertise in them. There were 10 mags in total, promoting a few photographers I like(d) along the way, other than just myself. Then I put up a website to hawk my wares. I added a couple belt buckles, stickers, skate decks, limited prints, and a few other items here and there ... always based on things I would want to buy if I was a collector. Thing is, it never made any money. I would joke that I made enough to make more ... but never enough to make mortgage. I played the owner, creator, designer, shipper, writer, proofreader, bank, promoter and customer service... and don't regret a second of it. Then came the cars. I had a couple, added bags, and wheels or whatever, then decided to step up with something completely different. That's when Van Go set the world on fire back in 2011. I'm not gonna lie, I am still apologizing for reinvigorating the van scene. My bad! And Saint Christopher ... a love/hate hot rod that is both loud audibly, and visually. Thankfully, I can't see how ugly all the critics say it is when I'm driving the crap out of it. Through all of this, I've learned the obvious ... cars are far more expensive than little trinkets I was selling. I'm broke AF ... but still have more ideas and more people to piss off. Hahahahaha. All that said, I FEEL rich. Rich for all the places and car shows I've been able to travel to, here and abroad. Rich for the countless people I've met. Rich for friends I've made. Rich for the supporters that kept pushing me forward. And RICH, RICH, RICH to still be here twenty years later. I seriously can't thank you (The HAMB) enough. Without question, Church would not exist without it. It is/was a place where I could express myself, and more importantly, LEARN. Not only about cars, trends, history, art and the like, but to witness how people would treat others while hiding behind a keyboard. Some are stellar in their, support and constructive criticism, while others might still be a work in progress. I subscribe to the option one, but to each their own. Keep the HAMB cool. Here's to 20 years of tomfoolery and shenanigans, and to keep keeping on. Praise the Lowered! Coby
Twenty years, man... Good god. That’s a hell of a stretch. Makes you wonder how the hell we’re still upright and breathing. But hey, we’re all friends here... So let’s cut the bullshit—how do we get our hands on this thing? Curious minds and itchy trigger fingers need to know.
Coby, Congrats for hanging in there and being the "master of your fate and the captain of your soul". I think your posting will result in more folks "going to church".
Kool, haven’t seen you in a while. Have seen pictures of your car though, reminds me of Watsons rainbow paint jobs, Jim Dunn etc,
Yeah ... it's been a minute. I've had my hands full touring the car, and lacking work due to the actor's / writer's strike, and some health caka. I will post a pre order for the box set in the for sale section. In doing so, I will offer a couple options that will NOT be otherwise available.
Many years ago, I remember when you were very sick from surfing in Costa Rica...Congrats on making it 20 Years!
Coby! It's great to see you around here again. Congratulations on 20 years, man did it fly by. I'm looking forward to seeing more about the box set and having one arrive at my front door. (I may have a few of your previous offerings in my collection.)
Thank you Coby! Thank you for the mags, the shirts, the photos, the cars, and the kindness that you have extended to me, a nobody from nowhere. Sir, you've served as an inspiration to many. I'm following your footsteps, spent $345 to attend a show recently and the video has made $12.77 so far. We may not be good at business, but I doubt that it was ever as much about business as it was the people and the culture. Thanks again.
I haven't supported your endeavors and made you be able to print the spreadsheet in Black for as much as I've enjoyed your product, but that's due to also being broke. I critiqued your latest, but admire your vision and talent. Here's hoping that you are able to continue to be creative, even if it doesn't support a lifestyle that draws envy.
Congratulations on 20 years!! I still wear my Church shirts and love flipping through the little books as well. Anxiously waiting for the link to the box set deal.
The box set isn't on my site yet, but it's been posted in the ''The antiquated Classifieds". It gives a little more freedom than what my site will offer.
The Jalopy Journal
