COMPANY

Kerusso, Inc

STORY BEHIND THE NAME

Kerusso is the Greek word for "preach".

COMPANY MISSION

Proclaiming the Good News to the world through products about Jesus.

TAGLINE

"Change your shirt. Change the world!"

BACKGROUND

Vic Kennett, just 23 years old and working construction, in 1987 saw a t-shirt with a faith message and was inspired to share his faith the same way. He started his company with a $1,000 family loan, a screen printer in a spare room at home, and just three designs. Today Kerusso is the premier producer of Christian-themed apparel.

EXPANSION

Kerusso has grown well beyond the Kennett family home, now with more than 100 employees at its 65,000-square-foot sales and manufacturing complex on a 10-acre campus in Berryville, Ark. In 1998, gifts, jewelry and accessories joined the company’s clothing line of shirts, hats, hoodies, handbags and more. Today, Kerusso products sell through more than 5,000 retail outlets in 90 countries.

AWARDS AND MILESTONES

2011

• First place Retailers Choice Award in General Gift Product category for "Weapons of Our Warfare"" t-shirt
• First place under Impressions magazine multicolor screen printing on light or dark garments category for "Fishers of Men 3"" t-shirt

• Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies for the fourth straight year
• For COURAGEOUS, the movie, Kerusso is exclusive apparel licensee
• Kerusso partners with Karen Kingsbury, official apparel partner for Like Dandelion Dust

COMMUNITY

Kerusso has donated more than 10,000 t-shirts to churches; boys and girls ranches; shelters; and disaster-stricken areas—most recently to relief efforts in the wake of the deadly tornados in Joplin, Mo., and across the South.