Off the Record
Off the Record is a podcast exploring the lives and stories of Twin Cities executives. Join the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, in partnership with Platinum Bank, for robust conversations with local leaders as they share pivotal moments in their lives, some of their career highlights, and their goals for the coming years. You know their names and faces, now get to know their stories.
Off the Record
Michael E. Jordan, UNRL founder and CEO, on his journey from college dropout to athleisure entrepreneur
At an early age, UNRL Founder and CEO Michael E. Jordan knew he didn’t want to enter the construction industry like his parents and brother.
“My roommates, they were always up all night playing Call of Duty. And I was … in the middle of designing a catalog for a company that does sublimation printed jerseys.”
When Jordan saw the hockey team Minnesota Wild’s logo, he thought, “How cool is that? All of the depth in that logo of the river and the sun. … I want to design logos like that when I grow up.”
Jordan started his first “mini business” crafting web and graphic designs around the age of 13, and he hasn’t stopped since. Shortly after closing the doors on the company he started in college, Jordan started UNRL, an athleisure clothing company designed to take you from the office to the gym.
“Our true end goal is to leave a legacy … to have a company that stands the test of time and is bigger than all of us individually.”
Jordan discusses his exciting career journey and more in this episode of Off the Record with hosts Dave Faust, president and CEO of Platinum Bank, and Jen Hellman, president and CEO of Goff Public. Listen in to hear more on:
· Pitching a design idea for a large engineering company at age 16 (4:07)
· Getting a deal opportunity with “the NFL of video games” in college (10:53)
· Starting UNRL a month after dropping out of college (14:56)
· What’s helped UNRL stay ahead in a competitive industry (24:04)
· Where you’ll find Jordan on a Saturday morning (39:16)
Leaders like Jordan understand the value of moving quickly and acting creatively, just like Platinum Bank. Learn more about business banking with a different kind of bank.