About Us
Born in the Golden Age of Saturday Morning Cartoons
I came into this world right around the time He-Man was flexing in Eternia and The Goonies ruled the big screen. My weekends? A perfectly balanced routine of ordering pizza, beating NES games with my trusty Game Genie, and hitting up Blockbuster to scan the shelves for the latest VHS drop.
If you could’ve seen my bedroom back then, you’d spot action figures stacked wall to wall—Masters of the Universe, Ghostbusters, TMNT. You name it, I had it. (Yes, my parents deserve an award for surviving the clutter.)
Where the Idea Sparked
People always ask, “What made you start Throwback Paradise?”
Sure, I’ve got stories about wearing a shirt that stopped people mid-sentence—but really, I just couldn’t shake the idea of turning nostalgia into something wearable. I’ve always been the go-to guy for geeky trivia (just don’t ask me about sports), and I started designing tees for friends and family around the holidays. Before long, I kept hearing:
“Where did you get that shirt?!”
From Naval Adventures to Movie Backlots
Before all this, I spent eight years in the Navy—serving aboard the USS McFaul, USS Kinkaid, and USS Fletcher. It was a crash course in discipline, chaos, and seeing the world.
After that, I jumped into the film industry—scouting locations, and eventually landing a gig as the motion designer for the Star Wars: Rogue One premiere.
If there’s a common thread through it all? It’s storytelling. Whether I’m floating on a destroyer or designing retro tees, that’s what I’m here for.
Building a Brand for the Kid in All of Us
Throwback Paradise started as a passion project. I was designing tees inspired by movies, games, and shows that still make me grin like I’m 10 years old—and suddenly, people wanted in.
I stayed up late juggling designs, printing orders, and realizing… this thing might be bigger than just me.
Challenges? Game On.
Like any good NES boss fight, this hasn’t been all cheat codes and warp zones. I’ve hit plenty of walls—finding the right suppliers, competing with massive brands, and building something real while still working a day job.
But that’s the thrill. I’m doing this to spark that moment of
“Oh damn, I remember this!”
every time someone pulls on a Throwback Paradise tee.
Meet the Real MVP: Karen Wells, My Operations Manager (and Wife)
Let’s be honest—I’m the creative force, but Karen is the reason this thing actually runs. She’s my operations manager, spreadsheet slayer, and life saver.
While I’m off dreaming up the next G.I. Joe mashup, Karen’s making sure the orders ship, deadlines are met, and I don’t completely burn down the backend. If Throwback Paradise were an old-school Nintendo game, I’d be the chaotic player button-mashing… and Karen would be the strategy guide keeping us alive.
Press Start for the Next Level
So here we are.
I’m still that nerdy kid at heart—mesmerized by pixel art, retro cartoons, and the sound of a rewinding tape—and now I get to share that magic with you.
Thanks for stopping by. Stick around. This is just level one.
You can always reach me personally at support@throwbackparadise.com.
I love hearing from our fans and what they would like to see in the store.
– Frank
Founder of Throwback Paradise