Lucas Guarigilia has performed on stage to an audience of 6,000. He’s also spearheaded a 48-hour-long screen-printing marathon to speedily produce official branded merch for the Chicago Cubs’ historic 2016 World Series win – their first in 108 years.

Those are just two of the many impressive anecdotes from Guariglia’s entrepreneurial adventure, which has been a wonderfully unconventional mix of music, art and apparel decoration.

A full-time touring musician for nearly a decade, Guariglia drew on his undergrad art training and natural talent to direct marketing and merchandising efforts for his band, Liftpoint. A self-described “business-minded art kid,” the experience led him and fellow musician, Joe Zangrilli, to launch a screen-printing business that caters to the music industry.

In 2006, Rowboat Creative (asi/313715) started in a basement. Fast-forward to 2019, and Rowboat now operates in a 60,000-square-foot facility in Chicago. The apparel decoration firm routinely works with some of the biggest musical acts in the world. For instance, Rowboat produced the merchandise – and a customizable swag platform – for Chance The Rapper. As the Cubs example illustrates, Rowboat counts major brands outside the music market among its clients too.

A true force in the Windy City, Rowboat has been recognized by Chicago’s mayor for job creation, while the Illinois governor has issued the firm a signed proclamation for being a manufacturing leader. Rowboat also earned an Inner City 100 award in 2018.

Just as cool: The company makes supporting nonprofits and contributing to worthy causes a fundamental priority. As Rowboat president/sales director, Guariglia is the high-octane fuel driving the company’s always-running supercharged engine. That suits this intensely energetic entrepreneur, who boxes and competes in triathlons. “Rowboat Creative is here to leave a mark, push the boundaries and empower anyone and everyone we can along the way,” says Guariglia.