I was about 50 feet up a tree on Cape Cod when it hit me—this life deserved its own brand. Not just the climbing, not just the sawdust and sap, but the humor, grit, and half-mad ideas that come when you’re tied in, staring out over the world. That was the first spark of Knotty Intentions.
Truth is, KI didn’t start with a business plan. It started with an impulse buy: a Silhouette Cameo vinyl cutter. At first, it was just to letter my trucks for my main business, CLCA LLC. But late at night, I started messing around with it—cutting custom designs, pressing hoodies, making shirts for my crew. Every piece felt personal, one-of-a-kind. The only problem? It was ridiculously labor-intensive. Great for a team hoodie. Impossible for scaling to the public.
But that grind taught me something: it wasn’t about how I made the gear, it was about the ideas behind it. Every knotty thought I had—up in a tree, on a job site, or when I should’ve been sleeping—deserved to live on something people could actually wear. Something that caught eyes, started conversations, or made somebody laugh.
This year especially, I’ve been leaning into my “big ideas” list instead of just talking about them. Launching KI is one of those ideas finally brought to life. It’s more than a side project—it’s my creative outlet, my late-night distraction, and a reminder that not everything has to be buttoned-up and serious. CLCA keeps me grounded, but KI keeps me loose.
And make no mistake—Knotty Intentions isn’t about filler products. It’s not about random pillows or throwaway items. It’s about creating hoodies and shirts that stick. Gear that makes people stop and say, “Where the hell did you get that?”Stuff that feels like it was made for you, because in some ways, it was.
So yeah—this is the first post. The first step in a brand that’s as tied-up, rope-burned, and squirrel-brained as I am.
If you’re reading this, you’re officially part of it. Welcome to KI.
Grab a hoodie. Share the vibe. Let’s get Knotty.