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Passion And Purpose Before Profit, How A Seasoned Businessman Started a Company Based on the Buy-One-Get-One Model

Published on Friday, July 29, 2016 | 1:14 pm
 

JD Hornberger is the man behind the MOCS USA, the Pasadena based online premium men’s apparel company that donates a full set of underwear and socks to homeless people in need for every single item sold.

Hornberger was the featured speaker at Innovate Pasadena’s Friday Coffee Meetup and stopped by to share some insight about his unique business model to a curious crowd at Cross Campus Friday.

“Quite frankly this is a project that is more than just financial success. This is an expression of my heart, my desire to help and a way to really bring attention to a crisis that this country has not seen for many, many years,” said Hornberger.

Hornberger launched Measure of Care and Style (MOCS USA) last August after transitioning his focus from running a successful corporate giftware company in Pasadena for nearly thirty years. He was solely inspired by a visit to downtown L.A.’s “skid row” on Thanksgiving Day three years ago with intent to donate food for the homeless, but realized food was not the only priority that population wanted.

“Why underwear? Because it’s needed. Next to money, underwear is the next needed item that a homeless person needs,” said Hornberger. “Not only do we give one for one, we give a set of underwear and a pair of socks for every item sold,” said Hornberger.

Hornberger left his job just two months after his powerful experience on Thanksgiving day and did a little soul searching for himself.

“I realized I wasn’t fit for what I was doing at the time. My experience on that day was really powerful,” said Hornberger.

MOCS USA is Hornberger’s third startup venture in his three decade career in the retail business.

“There is no age limit to a start-up,” said Hornberger who made the transition in his mid fifties.

“This new venture is a culmination of everything I’ve learned in regard to retail over the past thirty years,” said Hornberger. “The retail industry is changing so much. The model doesn’t work like it once did. Research shows that millennials identify with companies that give back.”

MOCS USA operates only online as a way to get the product directly to the user. Initial funding was made possible through the popular crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, which raised $40,000 to launch the company in August 2011.

“Over fifty percent of underwear is purchased online. It’s a growing trend,” said Hornberger. “Online competition is fierce and it is growing.”

Not to mention MOCS USA is a company born and bred right here in SoCal and hires on mentally and physically challenged individuals through Ability First to help pull, pack and ship orders in the Pasadena warehouse location.

“We’re proudly made in California,” said Hornberger. “We’re creating jobs right here in L.A. County.”

MOCS USA has donated 2,000 sets of underwear and socks to date and plans to send out another 380 sets next month. Currently, MOCS USA has to selected homeless shelters including Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena, Union Rescue Mission in downtown L.A. and Austin Street Center in Dallas.

MOCS USA currently operates in a “lean” manner and plans take the business to new heights through marketing campaigns, web overhaul and much more. He also expressed the possibility of moving MOCS USA into a subscription based platform such as Dollar Shave Club as an example, which delivers new product to your doorstep every month for a flat rate.

“We need to capitalize on online technology. We have done a great job selling to our friends and family, but we are focusing on growing our brand,” said Hornberger.

To shop and learn more about MOCS USA, visit http://www.mocsusa.com.

 

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