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...because it becomes so personal 'your life is your business and your business is your life' and it's hard to seperate those things on a regular basis.

Like other cities, San Francisco is made up of several neighborhoods, boroughs and sections. In one of those neighborhoods of San Francisco, they call it the Outer Sunset, and that's where you will discover a Bay Area favorite lifestyle brand store called San Franpsycho, and it's founder Chrisitan Routzen.

Back in 2001, San Franpsycho was unknowingly being born within a surfing film that Christian decided to create for extra credit for his San Francisco State Cinema class. Once he finally had his film completed, he decided to title it "San Franpsycho." Well, that name stuck so much with his friends; they ended up known as the "San Franpsychos." At that point, people around him started asking for some San Franpsycho clothing.

The need for San Franpsycho clothing was in full gear, which led Christian to learn the craft of screen printing. The first official clothing products took place at a community event where he told his friends to come through with some shirts, and he will screen print the San Franpsycho logo on the clothing items. Now eighteen years later, San Franpsycho continues to be one of the most popular community brands in the Bay Area. There have been celebrations, endless days and nights of grinding, unique collaborations, and all the natural highs and lows of being in business. One thing that San Franpysycho prides itself on is that it continuously evolves.

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You can decide something and just go for it. Your the person that decides how it goes.

Having the opportunity to speak with Christian, there is a trait of selflessness in him. His reason why he does what he does is to connect with the community and to create a work environment with cool people, so it doesn't feel like work but rather just a lifestyle.

Like all great brands, I believe the founders and leaders of these brands didn't start their ideas to be rich or famous. They started these brands and businesses for a higher purpose. Whatever that higher purpose may be, that is what elevates them to be great at what they do. Christian Routzen is precisely that, and San Franpsycho will always evolve with the community to be the great brand it is.

In this podcast:
We talked about how it all started for San Franpsycho.
The parties that influenced the following for the brand.
His collaboration with Anchor Brewing.
What's next for San Franpsycho?
Some advice for who wants to start a business.
Being able to maintain the work-life balance of doing what you love.
Plus other conversational pieces that capture what Christian is all about.

Enjoy the podcast and do what you love.

In this episode, here are Some Questions I ask & what You will learn:

 Christian Introduction. (2:35)

Moves to San Francisco.  (3:25)

What was Christian doing before San Franpsycho? (4:05)

Early entrepreneur memories with fireworks.  (5:10)

How San Franpyscho was born? (8:45)

Deciding on what to study at San Francisco State. (9:25)

How did the name come about? (10:35)

Learning the art of screen printing.  (12:05)

Before the store was open there was a van and website. (13:40)

Quit the regular job to open the store. (14:25)

The parties. (15:25)

San Franpsycho's Style. (17:05)

San Franpsycho keeps evolving. (18:40)

Christian talks about collaborations. (21:00)

Working with Anchor Brewing. (22:05)

How community has been part of San Franpsycho's success. (24:15)

What's next for San Franpyscho? (24:50)

What does Christian wish he knew before he started out? (26:10)

What piece of advice Christian would give to someone who wants to start a business? (27:20)

Does Christian feel like he goes to work everyday?(28:45)

What does Christian do to continue to be on top of his business?(30:15)

WIDWID (Why I Do What I Do) (31:35)

We talk about social media. (34:40)

What's a day off like for Christian?(36:15)

Cocktail of choice? (38:45)

How Christian wants to define his legacy. (40:20)

Christian is... (43:15)

Contact Info.  (45:20)

Editor’s Note: This story was shared through a Scotch Parlor Podcast. Photography was done by Rick Scotch in San Francisco, CA at San Franpscyho.