Know (Knowingly Nurture Our World) Apparel founder Cynthia Cloud, with partners Steve Thompson and Marcia Cumberledge, launched the brand at a Las Vegas trade show. They quickly found their niche in specialty retail shops, including Tri-Health Fitness and Health Pavilion locally.
Know Apparel is a soft blend of bamboo, organic cotton and Lycra for paired with simple, but trendy, designed themed messages like: “know peace,” “know love,” “know hope” and “know strength.” In each design, the “o” in know is integrated with the peace sign.
“The message is about inner knowing, knowing yourself and having peace within yourself. It can have a different meaning to each person wearing the shirts,” Cloud said.
The clothing is manufactured in China, where Cloud had connections from a previous apparel company she co-founded. She develops the clothing’s design concept, along with a artist who renders them.
Cloud grew up in Dayton and was a student at Ohio State. She has an undergraduate degree in marketing and a graduate degree in business. Cloud moved to Cincinnati in 1992, and has been here ever since.
The company was first housed in the Hamilton County Business Center in Norwood, and has continued its relationship with the incubator, retaining warehouse space there.
The company partners are watching for signs of economic recovery, and are eventually planning to expand its apparel offerings when the time is right.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Cynthia Cloud, Know Apparel co-founder