When artistic talent meets entrepreneurial vision, magic happens. That's exactly the story behind Southern Trend, the beloved Arkansas apparel company founded by former baseball player turned full-time artist, Clint Brannon.

In this candid conversation, Clint takes us back to his unexpected journey from the baseball diamond to the art studio. With the crucial backing of former MLB All-Star catcher Tom Pagnozzi, who recognized Clint's artistic potential during his playing days, Southern Trend transformed from a simple poster design for Bikes, Blues and Barbecue into a thriving business. The growth was explosive – from selling 2,000 shirts to Walmart partnerships moving 20,000+ units within just a few years.

What truly distinguishes Southern Trend in the crowded apparel space is their access to the University of Arkansas "Vintage Vault" logos. The slobbering hog and other nostalgic designs resonate deeply with Razorback Nation, creating an instant connection with customers across the state. This authenticity, combined with their in-house screen printing capabilities, has enabled them to supply hundreds of boutiques while maintaining family-friendly pricing.

Beyond Razorback gear, Clint shares fascinating insights into their custom design process, minimum orders of just 50 items (making quality apparel accessible to smaller groups), and creative partnerships with brands like John Rich's Redneck Riviera. Throughout it all, his artistic integrity and community-centered approach shine through.

Whether you're a Razorback die-hard, small business owner, or aspiring artist, there's something inspiring in Clint's story of finding success by staying true to his creative passions.

More About this Episode

From Baseball to Branding: How Clint Brannon Turned Southern Trend Into an Arkansas Icon

When you meet Clint Brannon, it’s easy to get caught up in his energy, part creative, part entrepreneur, and completely passionate about his craft. He’s not your typical business owner. He’s a former baseball pitcher turned full-time artist who, along the way, built one of Arkansas’s most recognizable apparel brands, Southern Trend. From custom Razorback gear and throwback designs to hand-drawn trout illustrations and stitched patch hats, Clint and his team have turned a love of art and Arkansas pride into something bigger than business: a cultural movement rooted in creativity and community.

This episode of the B-Team Podcast dives deep into Clint's story, exploring the origins of Southern Trend, his creative process, and how a former MLB all-star helped make it all possible.

The Early Days: Art on the Bus

Before the first screen print ever hit a t-shirt, Clint was already sketching logos and designs as a college baseball player at the University of Arkansas. “I was always drawing on the bus,” he recalled. That caught the eye of Tom Pagnozzi, a former St. Louis Cardinals catcher and assistant coach at the time. More than a baseball mentor, Tom became a business partner and an early investor in Clint’s art career.

With Tom’s support, Clint explored whether art could become more than a hobby. Turns out, it could and did.

From Posters to Walmart: The Rise of Southern Trend

The first commercial success came unexpectedly, through a Bikes, Blues & BBQ event in Fayetteville. A friend of Tom's asked Clint to design a poster for the event. It turned into a hit. Soon after, Walmart took notice and began carrying his designs. What started with a couple thousand shirts quickly turned into 20,000 units in rotation. By 2016, Southern Trend was in full swing.

At that point, Clint and Tom expanded into screen printing by founding Three Dogs LLC, and eventually opened a retail storefront in Fayetteville. That brand Southern Trend was named after a pig Clint remembered coloring as a child. With a little help from a former teammate and trademark legal support, the Southern Trend logo was born.

What Makes Southern Trend Different?

You could call Southern Trend a clothing company, but that wouldn’t capture the whole story. It's a design studio, print shop, and boutique brand all in one.

  1. In-House Artistry: Most of the designs start as hand-drawn art, either by Clint himself or other artists like Bryce, the newest addition to the team, who’s already turning heads.
  2. Screen Printing Capabilities: Southern Trend does more than sell its own gear. It prints for major clients like Redneck Riviera (John Rich’s Nashville bar), the LPGA, and custom orders for everything from CrossFit gyms to college tailgates. The shop’s minimum run of 50 shirts makes it an ideal partner for small businesses or organizations looking for premium, locally made apparel.

Creating for the Culture: White-Outs, Sharkansas, and Custom Drops

One of the best insights from the episode was how Clint stays ahead of campus culture. He’s constantly taking notes at Razorback games literally.

During a Kentucky game, students wore shark outfits and coined the term "Sharkansas." A year later, Clint had it on a shirt, complete with whiteout-themed art. At first, his team was skeptical. Then, Coach Eric Musselman, sporting a sling at the time, jumped in to promote it. Musselman showed up at the Southern Trend store to sign autographs and help push the campaign. The shirt, initially printed in a run of 50, exploded to 1,500 sold almost overnight.

That story captures what Southern Trend does so well: merge creativity with timing, and use its deep Fayetteville roots to turn moments into merchandise.

More Than Merch: A Community Hub

Southern Trend isn’t just about the product it’s about people. Clint repeatedly credited his team, from Lauren at the storefront who handles customer service calls, to the behind-the-scenes designers and machine operators who keep orders flowing. It’s this tight-knit team that allows the brand to stay agile and scale from 50-shirt runs to 5,000-piece orders.

They also offer custom printing services for brands and boutiques looking for something unique, with flexible options like mix-and-match patch hats, modern heat-press technology, and collaborative design work.

And with so many fans loving the brand, it’s clear that Southern Trend is delivering on both style and substance.

It’s rare to meet someone who’s truly carved out a lane doing what they love. Clint is proof that with the right support, a little hustle, and a lot of creativity, you can take a childhood coloring book pig and turn it into a beloved brand.

From our time with Clint, one thing is clear: Southern Trend isn’t just on trend, it’s setting them.

Whether you're an Arkansas lifer, a college student looking for vintage Razorback gear, or just someone who appreciates good design, Southern Trend offers something special. And we’re proud to feature Clint and his journey as part of the B-Team community.

Cheers to creativity, community, and custom tees. We'll see y’all at the store.