It was December 26th, 2007 that on a whim I decided to start this blog. My first post was just something that happened to be going on at the time. Nothing special and nothing really interesting. I wasn’t sure what to make of A Continuous Lean. I wasn’t even really sold on the name, but I stuck with it and eventually it grew on me. My first big break came twenty three days in, when The New York Times blog “The Moment” picked up a post I wrote about Vampire Weekend. That same post made its way to Men.Style.com and ACL was, as they say, in business. Over the past year of blogging I was able to figure out where exactly I wanted to go with ACL. I tried to post five days a week if possible and always felt guilty if I went a day without posting. Although ACL proved to be a massive time suck over the past twelve months, I wouldn’t trade the friendships the site has brought me for anything.
I want to send out a note of thanks to all of the people that have supported ACL over the past year. Randy Goldberg, Benjamin Ferencz, Russell Brandon, Gabriel Bell, Jeff Carvalho, Nick Schonberger, David Fischer, Ryan Willms, Joanna Goddard, Hollister Hovey, David Coggins, Jared Flint, John Tinseth, Tim McKenzie, Paul Underwood, Matthew Schneier, Jonathan Durbin, Josh Peskowitz, Christian Chensvold, Rosecrans Bawdwin, Jonathan Paul, Steven Watson, Michael Macko, Eugene Tong, Erica Cerulo, Ryan Wenzel, Meredith Goldblatt, Andy Comer, Michael Hainey, Corey Wilson, James Jung, Andy Beach, Jeremy Dean, Brian Awitan, Josh Moore, Aaron Stern, Scott Solish, Cory Ohlendorf, Harry Sheff and Leslie Price.
It is important to also send a big thank you to my business partner Ali Paul for being so supportive and always listening to me talk (read: drone on) about ACL. Not to mention Stefanie Rogers who has to deal with it five days a week live and in person. Thanks to both of you for being such good sports.
Most of all I should thank you the readers for coming back and creating a community around ACL. There are a lot of exciting things on the horizon that I am excited to share with you all when the time is right. Until then, keep on keelpin’ on!
Michael, it’s only been a year?! Kudos on that. the blog is great and it’s one I’ve been passing on to fashion/style people up here in Canada (well, Toronto to be exact). Yes. We have them up here in Canada. If you dig underneath the parka you can just make out the trim silhouettes and handsome tailoring.
Have a great holidays and new year
Congratulations and thanks for the mention.
Still kicking myself for passing up the animation rights to ACL. I’ll not make that mistake with the eau de cologne.
Major congratulations Michael! Always pushing the limit and bringing the best of the best to us all. Looking forward to what you have in store for 2009.
Congratulations! I look forward to the Red Wing factory tour.
I wish you even more success in 2009.
Congrats Mr. Williams on the first 365. I’ve only been hip to a few of those but the next round will be
stride for stride. Look forward to it.
Michael,
Much love brother. It’s been an amazing year and I can only expect 2009 to be even bigger for you.
Keep killing it.
In was has been a tough year and looks to be an even tougher one to follow it is one of my daily pleasures to read what you have to say and for that I am truly thankful…
it’s only been a year – wow.
Congratulations on all the success, and best of luck in the future.
I love the blog
keep up the good work.
I, too, am in shock it’s only been a year — I seriously thought you’ve been at this forever! You have such great taste and style, I always love reading what new and exciting things you have to share with us. Hope you had a wonderful holiday and congrats on your first very successful year!
happy birthday. you are one!
Your marvelous blog is a delight to read and restores my faith in our cousins across the pond.
From all the industrial sartorialists and preppy partizans in Blighty, all the best and keep up the good work, old boy!
Congrats buddy. Keep up the good work and a happy new year
Longtime reader, first time poster.
Congratulations (and thanks for all your work), the blog has become one of my must-visits each day.
I really enjoy the daily e-mails. This site is on my “everyday” list of sites I check. Keep it coming.
of course! i love your site! merry christmas.
Congrats, sir. Looking forward to ’09.
No, thank you!
Congrats on one year.
Congratulations Michael–I’m very proud of your progression since your wide eyed innocent days at Ohio U. You know I am a faithful reader and look forward to more in 2009.
Thanks Rick. I appreciate all of the support from you now and during my “innocent” days at OU!
MW
You make me want to blog
A daily read and always something new.
Wha..? Is Christmas over? Man, I gotta get those cards out.