Making the decision to have a positive outlook may seem simplistic, but that simple step can be life-changing, as one Suwanee couple has discovered. With their website and product line, Less Judgin’ More Luvin’, Chris and Georgianna Shumate are sharing this philosophy with the world.
Chris Shumate has always been a straightforward person, but he says he began to realize a couple of years ago that his tendency to say what was on his mind—good or bad—wasn’t always received well.
“Although people seemed to appreciate my sincerity, my delivery made me seem unapproachable” Shumate said. “I began to evaluate how I interacted with people and realized it was time for me to make a change.”
He expressed that realization in four lighthearted words: Less Judgin’ More Luvin’. The basic idea began around May of 2011, but it wasn’t until September of that year that Shumate and his wife decided to build the idea into a brand. Spending the next year developing the website design and the look they wanted, the site went live in December 2012.
The Less Judgin’ More Luvin’ website currently offers products such as t-shirts, hats, koozies, and cups, all of which feature their message. In the future they hope to expand their apparel line to include fleeces, loungewear, and holiday-themed items, and they are also looking to add more accessories like bracelets, mugs, and bags. Long-term goals include a children’s book and stuffed animals. They are working on expanding into retail markets, as well, and plan to have their products in gift shops and boutiques as well as at the Atlanta Merchandise Mart.
Friends and family have helped them to spread the word and the line of products has been well received.
“From our analytics, we know the response has been from people all over the world,” Shumate said. “We are receiving very good feedback. They like the look and feel of the shirts and the message is resonating with people. They seem to recognize how substantial the positive applications can be, and many like the concept as it applies to them personally. Many [people] have also suggested buying the shirts for children in school as an opportunity spread a positive message among the students and help instill values.”
Local support and feedback have been important, too. Originally from Snellville, the Shumates moved to Suwanee almost four years ago.
“We moved to Suwanee in September of 2009 because we knew it would be a great place to raise a family,” Georgianna Shumate said. “Our friends in the community have been extremely supportive, from helping to spread our website on social media to wearing the shirts where they work and around town. It is exciting to hear the feedback they receive when someone sees the shirt.”
That positive response is something the Shumates hope that everyone takes away when they see one of their products.
“However they might interpret it, we hope that it inspires a positive emotion and prompts that individual to pass that feeling along to those around them,” Shumate added.
To learn more, please visit www.lessjudginmoreluvin.com. ■
BY: Amy Wilson
