Blugold Shows ‘Sconny’ Pride With Wisconsin-Inspired Clothing Line
“proudly represent your roots by representing ours” is sconnyco’s slogan
Sconnyco is an apparel business that’s all about creating Wisconsin pride through a comfy sweatshirt or cool hat. Ethan Van Grunsven, a 20-year-old sophomore at UW-Eau Claire, first thought of the business back in November 2020. He said most state pride is shown through wearing sports apparel of a team, but there was never any way to just wear something that just represented Wisconsin. Thus, sconnyco was born.
“I started it just for people to be able to wear comfortable, stylish, embroidered apparel that represents home, represents where they’re from,” Van Grunsven said.
After some deliberation and motherly encouragement, Van Grunsven sold his first product last July. The venture has since grown into something he hopes could one day become his full-time job, even branching out of the clothing department into other products.
“I want to be able to be a company that produces things based off Wisconsin for Wisconsinites,” he said. “People spend their hard-earned money on something that I designed, that I created, and to me, that is the most satisfying thing out of it all.”
Van Grunsven says this business wouldn’t be possible without support. His high school friend Calvin Tanner helped him design the website, a local embroiderer Kirsten Smith helps with the T-shirts, and even his college friends Mason Hoffman and Vlado Duvnjak provide free advertising by word of mouth in supporting his business.
Sconnyco is on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Van Grunsven said he loves creating content to show the public. “Being able to show other people out there what I do, I think, is very informing for other people who have dreams and ambitions to start their own business as well,” he said.
Apparel includes crewnecks, hats, sweatpants, T-shirts, and hoodies. Shorts will be available by June for the summer, so don’t hesitate to purchase some Wisconsin apparel that screams “this is me and I’m proud to wear it.”
“Your dreams are out there and you gotta be the one to go get them because they’re not gonna come get you,” said Van Grunsven about what people can take away from his business adventure. “You only got one life to live, so you might as well just be happy doing it and doing what you love.”
To learn more, visit sconnycompany.com.
