Entrepreneur speaks to Plainview elementary students

Cristina with the Judy Jacobs students. The visit was part of the school’s Pick a Reading Partner Activities.

TJ Cristina, co-founder and CEO of local clothing brand GOAT USA Inc., visited students at Judy Jacobs Parkway Elementary School recently for a lesson on entrepreneurship, kindness and hard work.

Cristina chronicled the beginnings of his clothing company in 2016, as well as he and his team’s efforts to expand its popularity. Throughout, he emphasized the importance of hard work and encouraged the students to try out as many interests as possible to help them discover their passions. He also told the students to treat each other with kindness, because one never knows who could potentially become a friend, and, perhaps later, a business partner.

Cristina also answered the students’ questions about starting and owning a business. The visit was part of the school’s Pick a Reading Partner activities, which had students read various books about inventiveness and working hard.

Operating locally in Plainview, GOAT USA clothes are sold at Roosevelt

Field Mall, online and at Denny’s, among other sports and casual-wear venues. The clothing brand has also proven popular with the students at Judy Jacobs, with many students making sure to wear their own GOAT USA clothes during Cristina’s visit.