By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
Jonathan McGlades served honorably in the USAF for 12 years, and retired as an E-6, better known as a Tech Sgt. He was a crew chief for C-130s, and then transferred to Cyber/ IT. After he left the Air Force, Jonathan then worked as a civilian contractor on Redstone Arsenal. While he was still in the service, he would craft cool custom T-shirts for his unit as a small side gig, or sometimes make shirts for himself and his family. His wife, Brittany, actually sews (like with a sewing machine), and has a sewing business which as you know, is nearly a lost art these days. She especially enjoys making clothes for their little girl, Cara. Together last summer they took over The Last Word, which is located in the Chevron complex on the corner of Capshaw and East Limestone in Athens, and are gearing up for a busy holiday season.
The McGlades are people of faith, and attend Summit Crossing here in Athens. Back in 2021, they had custom Christmas stockings made by Last Word, and were raving fan customers. One day Brittany “happened” to see a post on Facebook that Last Word was for sale, and she talked to Jonathan, feeling that they should buy it, and was also hoping he would say no. Jonathan also felt like they were supposed to buy it, and he had his own people that he hoped would advise against it. However, everyone they admired, respected, and with whom they consulted all green-lighted the project; they bought Last Word and their baptism of fire began.
The McGlades also have a teenaged son whose name is Torin. Before they bought the business, Brittany had signed up to go help with Torin’s church camp, and they were in the woods with no cell coverage for a full week. This was three weeks after they opened, and Jonathan held down the fort by himself until they got back. Jonathan told me that he survived by praying tons while he “figured it out.” While the McGlades were already comfortable with screen ink and vinyl, it was the embroidery machine that proved to be the most daunting for both of them. Interestingly, the embroidery machine has become a favorite for both Jonathan and Brittany. Jonathan loves to embroider hats, and Brittany loves to embroider diaper bags, blankets, and onesies for littles. Her all-time favorite, however, is custom kitchen towels, which make for a great house-warming or Christmas gift. Jonathan will tell you that embroidering a backpack hands down has been the most challenging, as well as highly rewarding.
Crazy Llama is a family affair—Cara is a preschooler, has her little broom, and helps with cleaning up the shop, and Torin, who is a virtual student at the Renaissance School, has scanned files and helps with IT. When Brittany was a kid, her mom owned a thrift shop, and Brittany would go there after school and help. It was important to the McGlades that their kids learn to have a strong work ethic, and have the opportunity to create a business together that could really serve the community.
Jonathan describes himself as being the tech side of the team, and Brittany is the creative one. Jonathan is also an awesome chef, and Brittany says he makes the best pulled pork in North Alabama. Jonathan absolutely loves llamas, and was happy to have a llama as their logo, mostly because they are protectors. The McGlades both say that llamas have gotten a bad rap because they spit and sometimes are mean, but they are fiercely loyal. The name Crazy Llama, which was in place when Jonathan had his side gig, has served to be a conversation piece, and some people have come into the shop just to find out the story behind the name.
So, in the few short months that they have been in business, they have successfully kept the Last Word client base as well as gain new customers who trust them so much that they come in and say, “I trust you; just do what you think will look good,” and it’s working. They have successfully embroidered things
as varied as Converse tennis shoes and sequined cowboy boots. They created a logo for a Harley-Davidson, and will do decals, yard signs, and banners, in addition to custom Tees. I asked them why, when I have choices in the area, should I come to Crazy Llama Custom Apparel? Together they said the following: “We don’t take it lightly when people trust us with their items. This is a little piece of God’s Kingdom, and we are doing what He wants.” What keeps them going when things get challenging? “Thinking about how much they will like the end product,” they said. If this is what you are looking for when it comes to custom apparel, then come meet the McGlades of Crazy Llama, and let them help you this holiday season.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
December 6, 2024
