Erik Arneth sits down with Del Reid, the man behind the term “Bills Mafia”, the 2023 Bills Fan of the Year, and the founder of 26 Shirts. Del’s journey from a social media influencer in the Buffalo Bills community to a leading figure in local philanthropy is both inspiring and impactful. Erik visited Del at the 26 Shirts headquarters on Kenmore Avenue, which serves as their corporate office, warehouse, and storefront, to discuss how the brand has evolved and where it’s headed.
Key Discussion Points:
•The Origin Story: Del shares how he coined the term “Bills Mafia” and used the momentum of his growing social media platform to start 26 Shirts in 2013. Learn how a simple idea became a powerful force for good in the Buffalo community.
•The 26 Shirts Model: Each campaign features a unique, limited-edition design that’s available for a short time. After a campaign ends, the design is retired (although they are now selling previous designs on demand), and a portion of the proceeds is donated to a family in need or a charitable organization. Del explains the process behind choosing families and organizations, and how each shirt sold makes a tangible difference.
•Community and Giving Back: Del talks about how 26 Shirts embodies the spirit of the City of Good Neighbors by providing Buffalonians a way to show pride in their city and sports teams while supporting those facing medical or emergency hardships.
•Innovative Fundraising: Hear about the new initiatives and ideas 26 Shirts is exploring to expand their reach and raise even more funds for local families in need.
•The Future Vision: Del shares what’s on the horizon for 26 Shirts and his hopes for how the company can continue to serve the Buffalo community.
About the Host
Erik Arneth is a proud Buffalonian with a passion for promoting small local businesses through the sharing of their origin stories. He's also a real estate salesperson in the City of Good Neighbors: Buffalo, New York.
Thinking of Moving?
Download my guide on how to choose the best real estate agent for your unique situation. Whether that person is me or not matters less to me than you making your move with confidence.
Connect with Erik
Email: ErikLovesBuffalo@gmail.com
Website || Instagram || Facebook
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.