Stepping back into the fold after selling the company he co-founded in 2012, Zachary Quinn is charting the next ambitious chapter for Love Your Melon. I caught up with Zach while his team races toward the grand opening of their new Mall of America retail space, including a “Build Your Own Beanie” experience opening later this month. Now returning to the helm with all heart, Zach is a little older, a little wiser, and fueled by the perspectives gained as a husband and dad. He reflects on entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and the profound sense of calling that brought him back to lead the beloved brand and continue doing good for the community that has always supported him.
Photo by Nic from Profeshie
Q: You’re back leading Love Your Melon (LYM). While you were away from LYM, you launched Oceanfoam, got married, and became a father. What’s the biggest lesson you learned in your time away that you’re taking back to LYM this time?
ZACHARY QUINN (ZQ): Not to try and do too much. To keep it simple and focus on the core aspects: the mission, the impact, and the content. We know the things people want to see come back. We’re getting everything right this time. We have a tremendous opportunity this time. So, we need grassroots support, people to support LYM to share their story. To be a part of bringing this community back. And that’s what makes it possible for us to afford to give away a beanie for every one we sell, as well as any other products; we donate 15% of total revenue from accessories, add-ons, and warehouse sale items [everything but beanies] to nonprofit partners to fight pediatric cancer.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice your parents (Linda & Peter Quinn, founders of Cafe Latte and Bread & Chocolate) ever gave you?
ZQ: I feel like the further I go, the better I relate to their advice. They write me these handwritten cards, whether it’s for my birthday or special occasions, and every time I read one now, it brings me to tears. Knowing what parents go through now, just wanting all of our kids to be happy, healthy, and safe, that’s what bringing back LYM means to me so much more. Bringing it back now as a parent is so different from before because I understand the fear parents feel for their kids. Just knowing and wanting them to be safe and healthy is enough. That’s what we’re here for: to hear these stories and understand what people are going through. My parents have been incredibly supportive all along. I’m trying to embody everything that they have done throughout their lives and raised me to do. My parents were taking me to nonprofit fundraisers and out to restaurants with them, and I’ve been sleeping in restaurant booths since I was little. They brought me everywhere with them and inspired me to do everything we do, which is to help people, make them feel better, and let them know they’re not alone.
Q: You’ve said this feels like a calling to go back to LYM. What does that mean to you?
ZQ: It’s always been the fulfillment and purpose that I’ve looked for in life because it’s not just a brand—it’s a community, it’s an impact story, it’s all these families, and kids’ stories. It feels like Oceanfoam is still a great company to run and so much fun. Hopefully, it can have an impact and raise awareness to help the planet and other causes. Still, it’s not in our community, directly impacting people’s daily lives like LYM which touches these kids and families every day, creating smiles and hope. LYM has a sense of purpose. That’s why we need to respond to every email and message we get, and that’s what we’re doing. We’re making sure that the heart, the communication, the soul of LYM is back.
Q: Last question. Minnesota Monthly is dedicated to the spirit of Minnesota. What does the the spirit of Minnesota mean to you?
ZQ: I think Minnesota deserves this brand to come back right now. The brand embodies a lot of what it means to be a Minnesotan, keeping your head warm with cozy knit beanies made in Minnesota and around the country. The brand started here, and its comeback is tied directly to this community here. Minnesota has always been among our most incredible supporters. We started here, and we’re back home making lives a little warmer and a little better.
