I've been geared towards sheltering the weak and protecting others since before I can remember. For those drawn to serve in the military or wear a uniform patrolling our streets, the calling is the same. Prior to my entry into public service I was working in a high-rise in Philadelphia as a sales manager. Having cut my teeth on door-to-door sales I was overseeing a team of reps building out the high-speed telecommunications network in the City. We watched on the TV, and then were sent home from work when the second tower was hit on September 11th, 2001. I would never close another deal from that office after the venture capital money ceased. Unemployed and falling back on my CRJ degree I attended my first Basic Law Enforcement Training curriculum in Chester County, PA . I served two years as a deputy Sheriff before relocating south for a better climate, more land, and to raise my family more sheltered from urban sprawl. It was in Winston-Salem, NC where I would complete a second full-time police BLET course upon being hired by the WSPD. I would serve nearly 8 years in a patrol capacity before leaving to pursue LRS Foods full-time.
The aquarium fish food recipe scribbled out on a notepad in a patrol car would blossom into a full blown business before long. While working diligently to grow the business to provide for my family, my passion for being a "protector" didn't having always been immersed in the firearms and CCW culture.
When it became apparent that the Sidecar Smiles™ catch phrase would work well on a tee-shirt with our dogs I instantly thought of a police K-9 Officer with their service dog in a sidecar!!
We see a bunch of K-9 designed apparel with the Officer/dog STANDING, but what if you want to express yourself as a motorcycle enthusiast and a K-9 officer? I thought of reaching out to the Blue Knights to see if there was a way to help grow exposure for both organizations. With the upcoming holidays approaching possibly some members of the BK would enjoy ordering K-9 themed Tee-Shirts or Coffee mugs with this decal. The possibilities for fundraising opportunities to benefit both organizations is there.
I have several friends I have acquired over the years in the BK club, including Eric Stallings a partner in a Virginia based personal protection clothing line called Protecting the Protector. I have been friends with Eric for many years and his enthusiasm for the K-9 based design was enough for me to send them to print. The initial response to this quick run of K-9 themed decals and shirt design seems very positive. I've been in touch with a local chapter myself in hopes of attending the next meeting for consideration as a member. The Blue Knights International MC has their conference this week in Myrtle Beach, SC so we have sent some decals and printed leaflets shown below to help get the word out about Icarus.
*New* Bold, forward facing rider design being entertained for merchandise to compliment the original design.
We've printed these leaflets to be given to sponsors, affiliates and other avenues to expand our reach and explain our mission.
We look forward to expanding our line of merchandising to suit the needs of motorcycle enthusiasts and the community,
"Spend more time staring through your windscreen instead of your phone screen."
Larry duPont
Executive Director