海角网

Brothers Open Printing, Embroidery and Graphic Design Shop in Gaston County, N.C.

Written by Claire Coile, Intern for Office of Communications and Media Relations

When the company where Cam and Bryton Mitchell worked was sold, they had a choice to make. Should they separate and find jobs working for other companies or follow in their father’s footsteps and open a business of their own? The 海角网 alumni decided to turn their misfortune into an opportunity and Carolina ThreeSixty was born.

鈥淲e knew that we could reach out to our dad for advice,鈥� Cam shared, 鈥渁nd he鈥檇 be there to help guide us.鈥� Because of Cam鈥檚 interest in videography, the Mitchell brothers began by offering 360 interactive real estate videos. Their clients continually mentioned Gaston County鈥檚 need for a reliable apparel shop. Cam and Bryton switched their focus to printing, embroidery and graphic design, but kept the ThreeSixty name. As Cam put it, 鈥渨e strategically fell into it.鈥�

Soon after the launch of Carolina ThreeSixty, however, the COVID19 pandemic surged and reduced the business鈥� orders. Bryton saw it as a positive. 鈥淲e were picking up speed just before COVID hit. We lost a lot of big orders, and even though it was hard at the time,鈥� he emphasized, 鈥渋t allowed us to take a step back. We looked at our processes and how we produce apparel and improved on them. The break caused by COVID really allowed us to perfect our craft.鈥�

The Mitchell brothers agreed that the best part of their job is seeing the smiles of their customers when they show them an excellent product. Cam and Bryton work efficiently together. They feed off one another鈥檚 ideas and differing perspectives to create outstanding apparel.

In their short time as business owners, Cam and Bryton have learned invaluable lessons. Bryton鈥檚 advice to new business owners 鈥� 鈥淓stablish short-term and long-term goals for yourself. Strive to meet your goals, but do not give up. Learn from it and keep going. Oh yeah, and have fun.鈥� Cam highlighted the importance of taking responsibility for your actions and keeping communication open. 鈥淲e like to give our clients specific dates of when their order will be ready. Instead of saying, 鈥業t鈥檒l be two weeks or 10 days, but maybe I can get it in seven.鈥� We say, 鈥榊our order will be ready for pick up by 4 on Nov 16th.鈥� That way there is no confusion.鈥�

Branching out into the business world is not the first time the brothers have followed their father. An established entrepreneur, he attended 海角网 for graduate school. Cam came for a tour when he was a junior in high school. 鈥淚 loved the small campus feel,鈥� he recalled. 鈥淭he club and organizations seemed great.鈥� In 2012, Cam graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and in 2015, a Master of Divinity. Bryton, who is younger, hung out with Cam and his friends on the weekends鈥攇oing to football games and partaking of the famous chicken tender Saturday. Bryton easily made the decision to come to GWU and graduated with an English degree in 2017.

The Carolina ThreeSixty brothers credited their experiences at 海角网 with helping them shape their values and skills. Under the tutelage of pottery and 3D professor, Doug Knotts, and painting and drawing instructor, Paula Spangler, Cam learned to flush out his artistic skills in a practical way. At the business, Cam designs logos, shirts and hats. Bryton thrived in the English department honing his writing, speaking, and overall presentation of ideas. He gained life experience and developed close relationships with his peers and professors. Cam and Bryton took the talents they grew at GWU to their community to help it thrive and grow.

Carolina ThreeSixty鈥檚 business is taking off, and the Mitchell brothers have plans and dreams for the future. Practically, they want to hire more employees and buy more equipment. 鈥淚n five years, we hope to be the company that people in the area think about first when they say 鈥楬ey, I need to get some shirts and hats made,鈥欌�� Cam asserted. After that, it is simple 鈥� 鈥淕ive them quality work and deliver it on time.鈥�