Session One Exclusive ( MJP)

so when it comes to design and printing of customized Gourments MJP has got u’r back

Who is MJP?

MJP IS ABOUT 1000 THINGS, WE’RE A CLOTHING MANUFACTURER, WE’RE A CLOTHING DISTRIBUTOR OF FASHION BRANDS, WE DEVELOP OUR OWN BRANDS, WE RUN AGENCY FOR OTHER BRANDS… WE’RE BASICALLY A FULLY ROUNDED CLOTHING COMPANY THAT MANUFACTURERS AND DISTIBUTES… WE DEAL WITH FASHION BRANDS, SCHOOLS, PROMOTIONS COMPANIES, MINES… AND WE NOW DO INDUSTRIAL LAUNDRY!

How did you get into the world of Printing and design?

I’VE ALWAYS BEEN IN THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY, BASICALLY FROM BIRTH THE FIRST PLACE I WENT TO WHEN I LEFT MY HOUSE WAS MY FATHER’S CLOTHING STORE.
MY JOURNEY BEGAN WHEN I DECIDED TO START A CLOTHING BRAND IN 1999 I WAS DRAWING A LOT, HAD A LOT OF IDEAS BUT ONLY MADE MY FIRST RUN OF MESH TRUCKER CAPS IN 2002, (NO ONE IN THE COUNTRY HAD AT THE TIME) I MANAGED TO GET THEM INTO SIDEWALK SURFER, THEN THE OTHER SURF BRANDS FOLLOWED, YES LIKE BILLABONG… AND EVERYONE ELSE! MJP STARTED THE TRUCKER CAP CRAZE IN SA…HAHA

How long have you been in business for?

I’VE BEEN IN IT FOR 7YEARS THROUGH MY OWN COMPANY, BUT MY FAMILY HAS BEEN IN FOR 38 YEARS THIS YEAR.

Where are you based and how long did it take you to get there?

IN LOHEHILL AND IT TOOK ME 5 MINS HAHA…

Which of the big Brands have you worked with in the entertainment industry and what was your biggest production to date?

I USED TO MANAGE BONGANI FASSIE, LESLIE MAMPE NOW KNOWN AS JOZI, YEP…I WAS INVOVLED IN MUSIC! I USED DO EVENTS, DON’T HAVE ONE PARTICULARY GOOD EVENT, MOST OF THEM WERE CRAZY!!…(FUNNY STORY IS @ OUR FIRST PARTY EVER, WE HAD FREE SHOTS OF JACK DANIELS AT THE DOOR, AND PEOPLE WERE WILD THAT NIGHT, THE BAR RAN OUT OF LIQUOR, A GUY GOT CUT IN THE FACE AND A CERTAIN GIRL GOT PREGNANT THAT NIGHT… THAT’S A PARTY!!)
…WHY ARE YOU ASKIN ABOUT MUSIC ANYWAY?

What personal characteristic do you take into consideration when you’re making a custom piece?

EACH DESIGN IS UNIQUE, AND NEEDS ITS OWN PATTERNS MADE UP..IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THE GARMENT FITS RIGHT OR PEOPLE WONT BUY IT. THE CHOICE OF BRANDING MUST BE COMPLIMENT THE GARMENT ALWAYS.

Is Printing and designing your only source of income ?

NO, WE ALSO DISTRIBUTE INTERNATIONAL FASHION BRANDS, WHICH WE HAVE UNDER LICENSE. WE GET THEM FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES AND DISTRIBUTE THEM TO LOCAL RETAILERS…

What about time with family and friends – How do you manage that
I DON’T, I LIKE WHAT I DO TOO MUCH AND AT THE MOMENT IT SEEMS TO COME FIRST, ALTHOUGH I DO SPEND TIME WHEN I CAN.

Did you always know you’d end up where you are today?

NO, I THOUGHT I’D BE LIVING IN THE SOUTH OF SPAIN BY NOW, BUT YES I’VE ALWAYS KNOWN THE ROUTE I WANTED TO TAKE IN LIFE, IT MAY CHANGE AS OPPORTUNITIES ARISE BUT FOR NOW THIS IS WHAT I ENJOY DOING 19HRS EVERY DAY!

How is MJP planning to become a key player in this industry and who is you target market?

BY BEING THE MOST RELIABLE COMPANY FROM OUR MANUFACTURING TO OUR RETAIL DISTRIBUTION AND EMPLOYING THE MOST DEDICATED PEOPLE IN OUR COMPANY, PEOPLE WITH DRIVE THAT WANT TO GROW WITH US!

Do you have any advise for young cats trying to go a similar route?

DON’T RUSH INTO THINGS, LEARN ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO, ASK ASK ASK FOR ADVICE… IT’S A GREAT INDUSTRY(ALTHOUGH TOUGH AT THE MOMENT) TO GET INTO. BUT BY ALL MEANS GET INTO IT, THERE’S ENOUGH ROOM FOR EVERYBODY IF YOU DO IT RIGHT.

Cool! So, what do you have coming up in 2010?

I’M JUST FOCUS ON RUNNING A WORLD CLASS COMPANY THAT DISTRIBUTES WORLD CLASS BRANDS AND JUST MAKING SURE THINGS RUN SMOOTHLY AT FACTORY AND CLIENTS ARE HAPPY!

Do you plan on doing a T-shirt collaboration with Session One Raw in the near future?

NICE TRY! JUST PLACE AN ORDER BUDDY! 082 509 0209 OR 011 467 9937 OR info@mjp.co.za or visit www.mjp.co.za !!

Bang! Thanks for the interview, can you play at my birthday party soon…?

SURE!! you know Session One is always in the Building!!