The Official Button Guy of San Diego

There are certain pleasures that come with anonymity and homebound entrepreneurship. It allows work in plaid pajamas and sipping glasses of Merlot while typing, sloppily.

Scott Reid is this lucky. He’s the no-name behind buttonguy.org- the only official “button guy” in San Diego. Reid produces buttons for countless San Diego and touring bands- everyone from Reeve Oliver to Pretty Girls Make Graves. It is Button Guy who satiates throngs of groupies who figure sporting half-inch, round band slogans is the next best thing to shirt slashing.

“I enjoy helping bands out and I love seeing the artistic creativity that of the bands have,” says Reid. “Another thrill is hearing buzz about the bands that I have done work for.”

Joel Scheingross, owner and webmaster of http://www.sandiegopunk.com says Reid’s quick turnaround and dedication to the music scene have made him a success. Plus Scheingross says Reid’s old band, Notice, was pretty kick-ass and had a few fans.

According to Reid- who also co-owns Envy Salon in Escondido- the downsides to the button trade are minor, if irritable.

“The nicks and the blisters can seriously dampen my job satisfaction, and the money is not fantastic,” he says. “I sink most of it into improving button quality or production speed.”

Reid was quick to inform me of the keys to the button trade, just in case of an early retirement. Despite rumors of competition- say, a design-savvy button girl- he welcomes a future button renaissance.

But mostly, he say, “Setting my own hours and staying out of the morning commute are compelling enough to keep me going, for now.”

For buttons, buttons, and more buttons, visit http://www.buttonguy.org

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