Kevin Goms is the owner of an online clothing company called Arena Man Apparel. See some of the shirts and how they’re made in the video above. | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

Do you want to know what’s happening in the eastern Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered. Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.

BIZ BUZZ

UCON

Ucon man launches online apparel company

UCON – A quote on Kevin Goms’ wall is the inspiration for his new business venture.

The 38-year-old Ucon man works full-time in law enforcement, but recently launched an online company called Arena Man Apparel. The business offers American-made T-shirts with several logos he designed. Each one has an American flag on the sleeve. See the shirts and logos in the video above.

In the future, it will also include hats, hoodies, tumblers, stickers and other items.

The company name and logo is inspired by a statement Theodore Roosevelt once made during a speech at the Sorbonne in Paris on April 23, 1910.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood,” Roosevelt told the crowd. “Who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Goms tells EastIdahoNews.com this statement has been a guiding influence throughout his years in law enforcement, and has become a mantra he lives by.

The idea of being engaged in a worthy cause is what prompted him to go into law enforcement.

“There was a family I knew about 10 years ago. I was living in Utah at the time and their daughter was kidnapped and killed. I assisted with the search effort,” Goms explains. “I didn’t want that to happen to other families and I wanted to be able to help others.”

Goms attended Brigham Young University-Idaho before eventually landing a local law enforcement job.

Since launching his company in October, Goms says there’s been a good response to his shirts. He’s had a lot of good conversations with people as he’s worn them.

It’s rewarding for him to share his values with others in a unique way.

“The shirt I’m wearing right now has the word ‘immovable’ on it. It’s an innate value that I think is crucial,” he says. “This is how I think we should be as a citizenry. There’s something awesome about wearing this banner on your body.”

The shirts are 20% off through Thursday.

Once the business is established, he’d like to give back by donating a portion of the proceeds to local law enforcement.

He’s excited about the rollout of new designs in the future.

Visit the website or Facebook page for more information.

BIZ BITS

Rigby Chamber gearing up for light parade and Midnight Madness this weekend

RIGBY – The Rigby Chamber of Commerce has “visions of sugar plums,” and it wants you to come see.

That’s the theme for the city’s annual light parade and Midnight Madness event on Dec. 1. The parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m. in front of The Dollar Tree on 1st West and Main Street. Santa will make an appearance to take Christmas requests.

Following the parade, downtown merchants will have sales until midnight. Drawings and prizes will be available to shoppers.

It’s open to anyone who would like to participate.

For more information or to enter a float, call Chamber President Teresa Anderson at (208) 745-8715.

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