Candice & Kristen
When Candice Kolins (then Candice Carlin) was preparing to graduate from Villanova University she knew she wanted to be her own boss. She also knew that she wanted to do something that appealed to her passion for sports and for fashion.
Hence, the birth of Cruise Control, LLC, and the active wear company she launched in 2007.
Offering a wide-ranging and ever-expanding line of apparel for sports, the company, (
www.cruisecontrolgear.com) has grown exponentially. The company began modestly. Initially offering only sports socks in about 10 shops, Cruise Control currently sells dozens of men’s’ and women’s’ tennis, golf and other sports apparel items and gear in more than 200 shops and the Ritz Carlton and Grand Hyatt Resort chains.
Kolins, an Ocean City resident who was an All-South Jersey tennis player at Moorestown High and a number one singles and doubles player at Villanova, realized the company was on its way to success when she saw a woman wearing one of her shirts in the stands at the Australian Open.
The telecast showed “a lady cheering one of the points, and she was wearing a pink ‘Live For It” shirt,” Candice said, referring to her company’s slogan. “She looked good and I was really excited. I tried to take a picture of the TV screen.”
Cruise Control specializes in quality performance wear sports apparel for the ‘chic competitor’ according to its catalog. It also offers quality men’s wear for a market that cares more about comfort, durability and price. However, the company’s motto of “Look good, play better” sums up Candice’s philosophy.
Almost all of the company’s products are made from moisture-wicking fabric that is not only functional, Candice said, but also “extremely soft, comfortable and flattering.”
Currently, in addition to wholesale and retail, the company’s website sales have taken off as have supplies to tennis and other teams.
When the company began, it was knows as Candice’s Creations. “But I soon realized that name was not sporty and would not appeal to the men’s market we wanted to expand into.” One day she was watching a tennis match and one of the players who were dominating the action was described as “being on cruise control.”
“”We thought that was a perfect way to describe the brand,” said Candice.
The company’s “Live For It” line of tees, one of the company’s best sellers, came about in a similar fashion. Kolins was walking along the boardwalk one summer evening and noticed all the folks wearing “Life is Good”, “Just Do It” and “Livestrong” T-shirts. “It made me think about what a powerful thing that kind of slogan can be on a shirt and I began to think about ways to come up with something along that line but different.”
It hit her “like a bolt” from the blue, she said. The result was “Live For It” with the “O” depicted in the shape of a tennis ball.
In 2008, Kolins’ older sister Kristen joined the firm as co-owner. Candice is the primary designer and Kristen focuses on sales. Kristin is an equally accomplished tennis player, a former Bulington County League Player of the Year at Moorestown and number one player and captain at Princeton University. She currently resides in Longport, with husband Rob.
Although best of friends, the girls competed against each other in high school to determine which would be the number one singles player at Moorestown. Kristen, two years older, won. “But it was a close match,” Candice said, “and we have never played each other in a match since then. It could get too nasty.”
The ladies’ mom, Adele, is the sounding board for marketing and product design ideas and “sometimes we press her into helping us (fulfill) mail orders,” Candice said.
Carrying the family vibe even further patriarch Dan Carlin was the inspiration for the company’s formation. Carlin’s Adelphia Metals sells industrial products to a wide range of area clients.
“My Dad inspired me because he did so well with his own business,” Candice said. “That’s what I always wanted, to be my own boss.”
The family will be expanding along with the product line in a few months when Candice and husband Sean will become the proud parents of their first child, a girl.
“My daughter is already inspiring us to launch a line of children’s clothing,” Candice said.
In addition to the website, customers may reach Cruise Control by calling 1-877-770-CHIC (2442).
