I Miss You looks to bring social conscience to fashion in Ann Arbor

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 | Source: Concentrate

David Merritt is one of those entrepreneurs who sees his business through a different lens than the rest of us.

The recent University of Michigan graduate (he captained the U-M basketball team) started I Miss You (IMU) with a bigger idea than selling clothing. He wants it to serve as a force for improving communities and a vehicle for making people feel better.

"We really feel we can change communities, change their perspectives," Merritt says.

It starts with the brand. The words "I Miss You" are meant to inspire a feeling of belonging and being valued. It's the type of mindset that is meant to make people want to do better through the lifestyle that IMU offers.

It accomplishes this by mandating its employees dedicate at least 8-10 hours a month to community service. Customers can also get a discount by giving their time or money to local causes that help impact communities, especially young people.

"This is a people company," Merritt says. "The brand is about people."

Right now IMU is Merritt, an employee and handful of independent contractors. He hopes to bring on some interns, too. They are concentrating on making shirts to start but hopes to expand to other forms of clothing as the business grows.

"I have plans for days," Merritt says.

Source: David Merritt, president and CEO of I Miss You
Writer: Jon Zemke