The Honor Journey

Building the Catalog: From Dogtags to Character
That first license opened the doors to the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. I invented a product called ‘Dogtags’—collector cards worn on a chain—and soon, they were hanging on the shelves of Walmart, Kmart, and Target. But retail is a tough teacher. Stores would return seasonal sports products once the season ended. I knew we needed something timeless.

I collaborated with Hallmark Cards to design a new offering. We shifted from seasonal licenses to generic sports, youth, and character-building themes. Together, we created nylon zipper binders, study packs, and portfolios. But more importantly, Hallmark helped me articulate the heartbeat of my products: The 4-T-Tude System. We built a brand around Time, Tenacity, Teachers, Talent + Think. We weren’t just selling stationery anymore; we were selling the tools to build strong character.

The Legacy Continues
Life has a way of testing the very principles you teach. When I went through a difficult divorce, I knew I wasn’t in the mental space to give Crown Pro the energy it deserved. So, I stepped back. I packed away the 100,000 UPC codes, the global sports comic teams, and the custom designs.

But I never quit. Today, the catalog is being reopened. I am quietly rebuilding the infrastructure of Crown Pro, not just to sell products, but to pass a turnkey, legacy-rich business down to my daughter. She shares my creative spirit, and when the time is right, this brand will be hers to lead.

The journey from the farm in Alabama to the NFL, and from a foam tomahawk to a national brand, all comes back to one thing: honoring the roots that grew you, and building a foundation for the ones who come next.