Wang Jigang
In the early days of establishing this brand, our core thinking was how to give the brand a unique vitality. One day, I happened to flip through an outdoor magazine, and the content of the cover insert attracted me. It tells the story of a pair of Chinese climbers, Yan Dongdong and Zhou Peng, who successfully climbed the Yaomei Peak of Siguniang Mountain in the winter of 2009 using the Alpine climbing method. This was the first climb completed entirely by a Chinese team. The route was named "Soul of Freedom", which is a milestone in the history of Chinese folk Alpine climbing. This story deeply moved me, so I named the brand "The Free Spirits", symbolizing the spirit of courage, freedom and exploration.
In the early days of establishing this brand, our core thinking was how to give the brand a unique vitality. One day, I happened to flip through an outdoor magazine, and the content of the cover insert attracted me. It tells the story of a pair of Chinese climbers, Yan Dongdong and Zhou Peng, who successfully climbed the Yaomei Peak of Siguniang Mountain in the winter of 2009 using the Alpine climbing method. This was the first climb completed entirely by a Chinese team. The route was named "Soul of Freedom", which is a milestone in the history of Chinese folk Alpine climbing. This story deeply moved me, so I named the brand "The Free Spirits", symbolizing the spirit of courage, freedom and exploration.
I went through a lot of twists and turns when applying for a trademark. The agency told me that "freedom" was a sensitive word and it was almost impossible to pass the review because each application had a high fee. They suggested that I change the name and not waste money, but I insisted on my choice, thinking that this name represented all my beliefs. Surprisingly, three months later, the trademark passed the review smoothly.
I went through a lot of twists and turns when applying for a trademark. The agency told me that "freedom" was a sensitive word and it was almost impossible to pass the review because each application had a high fee. They suggested that I change the name and not waste money, but I insisted on my choice, thinking that this name represented all my beliefs. Surprisingly, three months later, the trademark passed the review smoothly.
I went through a lot of twists and turns when applying for a trademark. The agency told me that "freedom" was a sensitive word and it was almost impossible to pass the review because each application had a high fee. They suggested that I change the name and not waste money, but I insisted on my choice, thinking that this name represented all my beliefs. Surprisingly, three months later, the trademark passed the review smoothly. 自由之魂 and TFS tents are the logos currently in use, and Presents is a high-end sub-brand.
I went through a lot of twists and turns when applying for a trademark. The agency told me that "freedom" was a sensitive word and it was almost impossible to pass the review because each application had a high fee. They suggested that I change the name and not waste money, but I insisted on my choice, thinking that this name represented all my beliefs. Surprisingly, three months later, the trademark passed the review smoothly. 自由之魂 and TFS tents are the logos currently in use, and Presents is a high-end sub-brand.
The initial logo was inspired by the combination of Tibetan antelope horns and ice picks. I tattooed this totem on my arm to remind me to always keep my original intention. After the trademark was successfully registered, I started to prepare for the studio and finally chose a small warehouse in Chenjia Village, Daxin Town, Jimo as the production base, and started my entrepreneurial journey.
The initial logo was inspired by the combination of Tibetan antelope horns and ice picks. I tattooed this totem on my arm to remind me to always keep my original intention. After the trademark was successfully registered, I started to prepare for the studio and finally chose a small warehouse in Chenjia Village, Daxin Town, Jimo as the production base, and started my entrepreneurial journey.
At the beginning, I also tried to cooperate with external factories to produce my designs on an OEM basis. This can reduce costs, without having to rent factories, purchase equipment, and recruit workers. But I soon found that the factories I contacted did not have the ability to make tents according to my standards. Therefore, I finally decided to start my own factory. At that time, our team only had 6 people. I was responsible for design and sales, Ava was responsible for foreign trade business, Zhao Jinhai was responsible for procurement and sales, and the other three experienced sewing masters were responsible for the production of tents.
At the beginning, I also tried to cooperate with external factories to produce my designs on an OEM basis. This can reduce costs, without having to rent factories, purchase equipment, and recruit workers. But I soon found that the factories I contacted did not have the ability to make tents according to my standards. Therefore, I finally decided to start my own factory. At that time, our team only had 6 people. I was responsible for design and sales, Ava was responsible for foreign trade business, Zhao Jinhai was responsible for procurement and sales, and the other three experienced sewing masters were responsible for the production of tents.
In terms of product positioning, I found through market research that although there are a large number of tent manufacturers in China, there is no tent brand that truly focuses on high quality and professionalism in the market. This further strengthened my determination to establish "The Free Spirits" We want to create a brand that focuses on high-quality tents.
In terms of product positioning, I found through market research that although there are a large number of tent manufacturers in China, there is no tent brand that truly focuses on high quality and professionalism in the market. This further strengthened my determination to establish "The Free Spirits" We want to create a brand that focuses on high-quality tents.
Soon, our first and second tents were launched - Pangolin single and double tents, which used the fish spine structure that was popular at the time. The tents were shaped like pangolins, hence the name. In the following years, we launched the Falcon Double Tent, Xiao Pyramid Tent, Yuntu Tunnel Tent, etc. The launch of each product made me feel extremely excited, as if each new product was the birth of a new life.
Soon, our first and second tents were launched - Pangolin single and double tents, which used the fish spine structure that was popular at the time. The tents were shaped like pangolins, hence the name. In the following years, we launched the Falcon Double Tent, Xiao Pyramid Tent, Yuntu Tunnel Tent, etc. The launch of each product made me feel extremely excited, as if each new product was the birth of a new life.