Building a Clothing Brand: From Side Hustle to Real Business

[00:00:00] Welcome to We Legit 16th Throne Hustle Podcast and I'm your host Markee Carter. This season we are going deeper. Real stories, real entrepreneurship, real struggles and the lessons behind the success. From Long Beach to Nashville and everywhere that hustle takes us. This is about the people who kept building when nobody was watching. This is We Legit 16th. It's not just a brand. It's a lifestyle. Let's get into it.

[00:00:27] Welcome to another episode of We Legit 16th Throne Hustle Podcast and I'm your host M.Dot Carter. And I got a reoccurring guest, actually the first guest of the podcast coming back for season three. And everybody know him as Kendall. And Kendall, how's everything been going since you appeared?

[00:00:48] Everything been good, man. Everything been well. Life is life you like, but we're still here. We're still able to wake up every day doing something I actually love. Everything is going well, man. Can't complain at all, bro. How was it since you've been on the podcast? Because that was like my first season and actually doing it. But what has it done for you since you appeared on the platform?

[00:01:13] It gave me exposure. I ain't gonna lie to you. It gave me exposure. The podcast, it gave me people see my other side of me. I feel like that. I feel like that doing a podcast with you, people could see me who I am as a person other than just my clothing brand. So, you know, it's doing their will, man. So, blessed for that.

[00:01:39] Did they know how I look at you a whole lot different? Or it was just something that some things I already knew? I think, yeah, with that video, people see the other side, see who I am. That's really good. Well, let's get into it, man. You know, I would like to know, like, where by you being the first guest to appear on the podcast, looking back, I know you spoke on it a little bit, but what has changed since the interview?

[00:02:05] A lot of things change, man. Growing as a person every day, I'm changing. Mindset is changing every day. I'm just, I ain't perfect, but I'm trying to strive to get better and focus on what I got to do. So, can't complain at all, bro. I'm just growing every day. That's all I can do for reals. Grow every day and get better at things. And just, that's just life period when you get older. As you grow, as you get older, your mindset just changes. That's what changed for me, bro.

[00:02:35] Yeah, because as we grow older, things start to change. You start to look at things long term. And you think about a lot of different things that you never thought about when you was younger. Yeah, exactly. Your mindset changed when you get older. It's just life for real. It's changing. And then, go ahead. I said, dude, when you're younger, you don't, you think about the stuff you did. And when you get older, you're like, dang, I didn't change so much.

[00:03:05] Like, I didn't really came up. Like, you know. Yeah. Your crowd of people change. The way you look at your environment change. How you want to do things. How you want to explore and grow. So, it changes dramatically all the way around. Yeah. Even, you know, how, like, other people are in situations like Dirk. You know, them rappers. Yeah. They're in their situations and stuff like that. Fighting cases. David.

[00:03:33] Keefe D had just got, you know, convicted. So, you know, when you're older and you're on the outside looking in, you'd be looking at the decision making. Like, dang, what was they thinking? Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Like. Yeah. Like, what was you thinking? It makes you. It just make you be more cautious on decision making as, you know, for you as you grow. Yeah. Definitely got to make. I will say you definitely got to make right decisions.

[00:04:03] Think before you do something. Do something done. Altercations and stuff. It's plenty of times I've got to think about. Let me just talk. Because I got too much to do. You definitely got to think, think, think wise before you do something. And by you being the first guest and you saying that, you know, did you ever think, do you look at yourself totally different now that you're a founder and CEO of self-love awareness with the decision makings and being interviewed? Yeah. Yeah.

[00:04:32] I definitely think about that, too. Making good choices. Got so much to. I have so much. I can't. I can't lose. I can't make that decision. Because it can be something to just think about. Yeah. Because one wrong decision is deadly. Yeah. Like you said, all these, the situation with Dirk and Keefe D and all them, they didn't make the right choices to see what's happening now. All these entertainers made one. They made bad decisions. It's gone.

[00:05:02] They had all the talent. They had all the, you know, all the stuff. They made the wrong decisions. Egos. That's what I'm about to think. Like, just walk away. See another day. For real. Yeah. With the spoon said, you lose something, you win something. That's true. And it's just, as a man, you know what I'm saying? It's just like, these guys had access to a lot of different things.

[00:05:30] Ain't no telling what these celebrities had access to. You know, Dirk had keys to the city and stuff like that. And it's just like, you just couldn't put pride to the side. Yeah. I feel like, I feel like as a man, you need an ego. You know, ego. You know, I, I done been through that before too. Like, ego. Just an ego in the man. I don't know what it is. And prayer pressure. Yeah. Prayer pressure. You know, you got to live up to what you talk about. Yeah.

[00:05:55] And sometimes us as consumers in some aspect, we got to look at things like, you know, it's just entertainment. But some of them want them to live it like to the fullest. And then when it comes, when it gets serious, they'll be like, oh, whoa, whoa, whoa. The same GTA. Right. You know what I'm saying? Sure. But that's good. So since we last talked, you were building self-love awareness.

[00:06:22] So where does the brand stand today compared to when we first sat down? What you mean? Where is it at right now since we had our first interview since season one? I would say a lot of people, it's a lot of people that, it's a lot of people that know about my brand. Because it's the work that I, I don't, the work that I put in. I don't, people be like, are you self-love awareness? I'm like, what? I don't be thinking about that stuff.

[00:06:50] The motivation, the drive, the, you know, just constantly nonstop, like just advertising and stuff like that. Like it blew, like proud of myself, got to give myself grace. But it's definitely, it's definitely worldwide, man. It's not even just Dayton, Dayton, Ohio. It's different, different cities and stuff. A lot of people know about my brand outside of Dayton. That's where the most support come from is outside of your city.

[00:07:19] That's sad to say that, but that's how it is everywhere. Yeah. Yeah. But did it trip you out that people recognize you and recognize your brand? Yeah. And all the other stuff, they catch you by surprise? Yeah, that happened, that happened last year. Was that two years ago or last year? I was getting, I was. Last year. Yeah, I was out to eat or something, getting some food. It was like, is that self-love awareness? So yeah, I wasn't expecting that brand.

[00:07:49] I don't be thinking I'm a celebrity, you know. I'm just, you know, doing something I love to do. But it feels good to get recognition, though, because the work that you put in, the billboards, your first customers. Yeah, I do. Those pictures. Yeah. You know, the grinding, the grinding stage. Yeah. You ever think about that stuff? Like, dang. You ever look at your pictures like, dang, I really did all this? You're never thinking. Yeah. When Facebook be sending me those archives, and I'll be sitting there thinking, because

[00:08:17] I'll see the picture, and I'll remember the moment. Yeah. And then the video, the work, driving to Atlanta to get the merch, and I'll just be sitting there. I was like, dang, I can't believe I really did a whole lot. I remember everything like it was yesterday. Yeah. And then the transition to podcasting, I remember starting out, I didn't even know what to talk about. And then it just, I found something to talk about. Hello? Yeah, so I found things to talk about, and I was really surprised of the reach that it was getting.

[00:08:46] And it was just like, dang, okay. Yeah. It just tripped me out. So I can't complain on how everything came about. You know, it's just growth. Yeah, growth. But it also shows how staying consistent really do take you places. It shows you how the work that you put in, all the work that you're putting into your business is going to pay off. That's what, something, especially something that you love to do. You don't think about the money. It just comes.

[00:09:17] You don't think about the money. It's just something that you're really passionate about. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Because a friend of mine, he's staying in Atlanta right now. He was telling me, he's like, you're part of the industry, right? I was like, what you mean? And me, I'm thinking the industry, like you being seen on TMZ, you know, bloggers and all the other stuff talking about you. But he was just talking to industry, period. But I'm just independent. I have ownership of everything. Yeah. I never looked at it in that sort of fashion. Have you thought about it? What, ownership?

[00:09:47] Nah. You are in the clothing industry, whether you realize it or not. Yeah. I think about that all the time. I never thought about it. Yeah. That's crazy. But it's like we're smaller, but we got that drive and to keep going. And we're discovering, we being discovered, but it's just like we still got that drive. But, you know, there's a lot of brands out there. So, you know, it's just a competitive basis at the end of the day. And I'm going to be honest, I really don't be thinking about other people's brands.

[00:10:16] I just think about, like, what I got to do. I don't really think nobody has no competition. You know, I just, I love something I love to do. I don't think about trying to compete because I know what I'm trying to, I know what my, you know, I know what my passion is to try to uplift people. Yeah. I remember that from the first episode because a lot of people don't really love themselves until someone else notices it. Then they have all this love and passion for themselves.

[00:10:45] But when you really know who you are, life is so much easier and better. Definitely. So with the next question, you mentioned business slow down for a period. But what do you think caused a slowdown and what helps you start gaining momentum again? Yeah. Um, not really focusing on what I got to do. Trying to focus on this person, you know, that that's what slowed it down.

[00:11:14] You know, just then life period, just, you know, life happens, you know, slow down. But it's picking back up because I'm not focused on what I really got to do. Just, you know, distracting things and stuff. That's what slowed down the business, relationships and all types of stuff. Trying to focus on somebody else. Instead of focusing on what I got to do as a person, as a man. I'm glad you mentioned that because when you're building something, a lot of people don't pay attention to the distractions.

[00:11:44] They be trying to bring people along with them. Yeah. And they don't realize sometimes that person is an anchor and is just holding you back and you don't even realize it. But you got in, I won't say routine, but you got comfortable being with someone that's around. And when them persons be making their own moves and decisions. Yeah. It kind of sets you back. Yeah. Some people don't, some people don't understand that too. Like they don't understand what you got to do for your business. Some people don't understand that.

[00:12:14] You know? Jealousy. I see all that stuff. The jealousy, the everything. So. Yeah. It comes with the territory. I get it every day too. But it's picking back up though. I get it. Yeah. So. So how do you handle the jealousy and envy within your city and just period? I think of that. I'm going to be honest. It motivates me. It just motivates me. All the hate. I love it. It's just motivating. Like.

[00:12:45] Okay. You want to keep hating? That's going to motivate me even. To go harder. To go even harder. So hate on me all you want. Keep going. You know. What about you though? I don't even pay attention to it. I don't. It then became like second nature to where I don't even realize it half the time. But I still have a hand. Not a hand. It's a lot of people that still be doing what they be doing. But like I told. I told myself. I'm going to give you something to see. Yeah.

[00:13:15] Put on a show. Whether you like it or not. Yep. Put on a show so you can see. Mm-hmm. And I knew this when I was in them people's presence. But my name is still being spoken about. So. It ain't stopping. So you. Obviously you're doing something right. Mm-hmm. Yep. Every time I hop on social media. I still be seeing them people just popping up. I'd be like. Okay. Now you should have just left me alone. Yeah. But. Time will always tell. Who was solid and who wasn't.

[00:13:45] Because you know that karma don't skip a beat. Yeah. You're going to definitely see who's on your side. Who's hating. Trying to prey on your downfall. Mm-hmm. Time will tell. And the longer. And the longer you around the person. It's eventually going to show. Yeah. You can't hide forever. Everything. The. Everything. I just see everything. Once you woke man it's hard to unsee it. The eyes. The body. Everything. The body tells it. Everything. Mm-hmm. I just. I don't say nothing.

[00:14:14] I just. Move how I move. It's the best way to do it. Because. It's going to be around. So. They might as well get used to it. Definitely. So. With that being said. What has running a business independently taught you about yourself as an entrepreneur? What you mean? You had your company for a handful of years. And you're an entrepreneur now. Well you've been an entrepreneur. So running it independently. You know. What has it taught you since you first started all the way up to now? It just taught me. I don't know. The business.

[00:14:45] It's just. The business. It's just taught. It's just taught me a lot of stuff. Like. You know. Other than just selling clothes. Like. It's a. Excuse me. It's a business. Actual business. It's taught me just. It's more than just selling clothes. It's a. It's an actual business. A legit business. And not. Not a side hustle. But. Any other business. Just like any other business. Around the city. It's a real business. It's taught me that. You gotta.

[00:15:13] You have to be serious about this. You know. If you want to really do it. Just do it. That's what I'm talking about. You can't have stuff. Yeah. No half. No half ways. No. None of that. Like. For instance. Like the. Trademark. And all that stuff. You know. There's no. Skips. No. It's the word. Like. There's no skips to it. Yeah. As a youngster would say. You can't laugh. Yeah. No laugh. Somebody told me one time. Like. Just. If you're going to trademark your stuff. Just mail it to yourself. Or something. Something like. I don't know. Something like that. But.

[00:15:43] I wanted to do it. The right way. The actual. Trademark. Lawyers. And stuff like that. The actual way. I listened to myself. And I did it. I spent. Ten more time. Yeah. I invested. A thousand dollars. So. I could have spent that thousand dollars. On anything else. I spent a thousand dollars. To trademark. Stuff. Look where it's going now. Yeah. When you put something into it. You're always going to get it back. Yeah. But. You never know what the future is going to hold. So.

[00:16:14] It's just always best to protect yourself. Because. You never know who's going to try to take you. Or. You never know if a brand. Or a sponsorship. It's just a lot of stuff. You just don't know. Yeah. For you to have in that protection. It's going to help you out. Definitely. That's right Mark. Wasn't it a situation with some type of place? It was a. I don't know. It was something. I forgot what it was. They was playing this. Somebody stole the logo or something. It was. I don't think. I think it happened in. I don't know. It happened somewhere. I can't tell you.

[00:16:43] You talking about with me? No. I'm just talking about with a. Business and stuff. Somebody's claiming that. Somebody stole the logo. And all that stuff. Oh yeah. You always going to have that. You know. As soon as something pops. And someone will be. Oh that's my logo. But I don't have no proof. Yeah. That's why I like the internet. Because it shows a digital footprint of everything. I got the paperwork. I got the proof. That's just. It's actually. Mm-hmm. You can Google me. Yep. You can type it in. Yep. It's going to come up. So I did it the right way brother.

[00:17:13] And since you mentioned the Google thing. How does it feel. When you can search your company or your name. And a lot of different things pop up. I said what I think of it. Yeah. I ain't going to lie. I'm proud of myself. As you should have. I'm proud of myself. You know. I can actually search my business name. And it pops up. Mm-hmm. What about you? Man. I told you. I never. None of this never came to mind. It just happened. Yeah.

[00:17:43] I had an idea. I went to a store. Like I had said. Multiple times. I just didn't like what I had seen. And then I just started doing it myself. I was like. Oh. This is easy. And then. Posting and being consistent. On Facebook. TikTok. Instagram. Got me written about. Then podcasting. People said I should talk more. Whatever. So. I tried it out. And did research on it. And it just grew. You know. When I be seeing all that stuff. I be like. Wow. I just don't really realize. I never have a chance to sit down. And just think. And be like.

[00:18:13] Damn. I really did all this. None of that. Just never came to mind. It just happened. Yeah. Yeah. Like Nip said. The marathon continues. Yep. I don't think about that. I don't be thinking about that stuff too. But. I don't. I don't know. Wow. You really. I really did this. But I don't think about it. Like. I don't realize. It started. It was something I was passionate about. Something I was going through as a youngin. Like. Insecurities and all that stuff. Something I just self-love awareness.

[00:18:42] Which is normal to go through. But. It's just. Like. I always tell people. When you tired. And when you not tired no more. Then that. That. The shedding of the skin is going to come off. It's going to be a new person. Yeah. You know. It's like being born again. Which leads into. Was there any moments. When you seriously questioned. Whether. You wanted to keep going. Keep the business going. And if so. What kept. What kept you on pushing? A lot. I thought. There's plenty of times. I thought about quitting.

[00:19:12] It's just. I'm being honest. That some days. I'm like. Do I really want to do this? But I had to think about it. You know how much. Work I put into all this. And I'm going to quit. So I spent a thousand dollars. You think I'm going to quit? No. I'm going to keep going. Any obstacles. Any obstacles in my way. I'm going to keep going. Ain't nobody going to stop me or nothing. I'm going to keep going. Anybody. So. You know. Just something. I don't think about quitting now. I don't even think about quitting. It's not even in my brain no more. I have. I be having them thoughts too. Like. Like.

[00:19:42] It's just. Like. You have like a bad month. Or something like that. And it's like. Just nothing happens. And then out the woodworks. Bam. You just having sales. Like back to back. And it's like. Dang. I was. Just thinking about. I didn't want to do this. And then. This happens. And you know. It keep you on your P's and Q's for sure. And. It's like. Like. I can do this too. Yeah. That. That. That thought of doubt. Don't go nowhere. It's just. It's a business. You know what I'm saying.

[00:20:12] You got your ups and downs. And. It really. Builds character. And. Who you are. In them down months. Right. So. Yeah. And. I wasn't necessarily down. But a situation happened. Like. Around November. So. I was really going to grind mode. And stuff like that. And. It. It worked out for the better. I took the podcast. A whole lot of serious. Yeah. And. Your podcast. I ain't going to lie. Your podcast is growing.

[00:20:42] Proud of you bro. Your podcast is growing. It's growing. I didn't. It's growing bro. I done watched a couple of your podcasts. And you was the first guest. Yeah. I watched your podcast. It's good. I like the. How you edit everything. The structure. Everything. The. The background. Everything. To the conversation. I've watched. You watching. Your podcast. Yeah. The production grew. I got more equipment. And. I'm. I'm just going to. It's a lot more coming. It's just. This ain't nothing.

[00:21:12] It's a whole lot more coming. Yeah. I'm just. Doing it in spurts. Yeah. And. I really like the drone footage that I added for this season. Because that's what I was missing. The drone. Okay. Mm-hmm. That's going to be dope. But. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Yeah. It's a whole lot more to come. I got a lot of stuff on. In the works. It's up here first. So I'm about to put it in paper in a minute. So. You said. Your beginnings. To get support outside of Dayton.

[00:21:42] When did you first realize. People outside of your city. Were paying attention to the brand. You said people outside of my city. Mm-hmm. Because I would get a lot of. So on my Shopify. I get. Different cities. Like. You ever. You ever had a Shopify account. Like. It ping. It make a ping. It sound like. This city. Did this city. I'm like. Mm-hmm. What is going on? Like. That's when I knew. Mm-hmm. I did something right. Like. Like. This is definitely legit. Be serious now. I don't think.

[00:22:11] Got something right now. Something going on. So that's when I realized. Different people outside of the city. Worldwide. Like. Like. Brooke. I've never been to Brooklyn. To New York. Never been to Brooklyn. Mm-hmm. That's when I realized. And. It's really. This brain is blowing up. Look where I. Where I started. I started in. Bedroom. To draw. Hey. You get what I'm saying? To draw. Like. The idea in my bedroom. Yeah.

[00:22:41] And it's just you and them thoughts. Yeah. Yep. Okay. How I want to. And. No. I was just going to say. It's just you. Yourself and them thoughts. And you know how you want to put it together. So. When I. I always say. Like. For me. You know. For someone to get into a relationship with. They really got to understand. Like. What it is you're trying to do and build. They can't just. You know. Downgrade it. Because they don't know. The amount of work you put into it. So. That communication is really serious. When it comes to. Trying to build. With somebody.

[00:23:11] As time goes on. I definitely was going through that. Definitely was going through that this year. They didn't understand the vision. Try to break it down. That is what it is. But I can't. Go on my prejudice. I'm just going to. Move on. Yeah. Everybody. Like I said. People selfish by nature. But with today's times. It's more. You see it a whole lot more. It used to take a minute to see it. Now you see it automatically. A lot of people just want what they want. But. So.

[00:23:41] You already spoke on the cities and areas. Have you started seeing support from. And how did they discover you though? People outside of your area. Because I would post the billboard. I posted my billboard. That's what blew it up. Being in people's DMs. Like okay. Can you share this? Can you share this? You don't even. You don't even got to buy none. Just share it. Just post it. Repost it. That's what blew it up. And just being honest. Who I am as a person. This is what I went through.

[00:24:11] And this is my brand. Self-love awareness. That's what. Grew the brand. Being honest. Who I am as a person. That's cool. I never even thought about hopping in anybody's DM. Asking them to share it. Because everybody like. They don't believe you. Until it popped. You know what I'm saying? Right. So my mindset. Coming into this. I'm going to do everything. The best way forward. If they support. Cool. If not. I know what I'm doing. But that's kind of cool though. That you. You.

[00:24:41] You found a route that works for you. Yeah. And another thing. Pop-up shops. Get in people's faces. Okay. Social media is cool. But actually. Be out in the world. Get in people's faces. You know. Not just be behind. On social media. Be out here. That's what's going to get people to support you. You know. Yeah. What's crazy is I still have an idea. A vendor event or a pop-up shop. Yeah. Or.

[00:25:06] I went to one networking event like last year in like September, October. Mm-hmm. And it was Nashville near Edge Hill with the Nashville Black Market. It was pretty cool though. I met. I met like some people I'm still in communication with too. I still got that picture. Yeah. Yeah. And then I went to another one they threw. It was in North Nashville off Buchanan at Slim and Huskies. Mm-hmm. And I met Michelle who I interviewed for this season. That's how I met her. Yeah.

[00:25:35] So it was. I see the benefits of it though. But I don't. I never been a part of it though. I go to them though. Yeah. I think. But I do see the benefits of what you were saying. What was you going to say? I think because being. Being. Getting on live and stuff. People can actually see you. See who you are. Mm-hmm. That's what. That's what helps people support you. So they can see you as a person. Mm-hmm. Just oh I sell a t-shirt or a hoodie. I should see you as a person.

[00:26:05] That's what. Mm-hmm. Yeah. The interaction. Yeah. I'm going to get back to going live again. It's been a minute. It was a lot of fun though too. But I didn't know that podcasts and media take so much of your time. It's a lot. It's really a lot. Yeah. It's not easy. It's like really a lot. But it's all. It's really worth it though. For sure. But. Do you think. Appearing on the podcast.

[00:26:35] And putting yourself in front of new audience. Have played a role. In expanding your reach. I know we touched on it earlier. Yeah. I think it expanded. Because people can see me talk. You know. Just you know. Saying what I feel. What I'm going through. Just. This was my reach. Just being yourself. And I noticed. I seen something after you appeared. I don't know what it was. But I seen you out there playing tennis. And you looked at real happy. It was like a nice day out. Oh. Tennis. Like sometime last year. Yeah. Yeah. My friend. Yeah.

[00:27:05] We play tennis and stuff. I like tennis. I like to go biking. Hiking. I like being outside. As you can see right now. I'm outside. Being out. I'm nature. Yeah. I'm thinking about doing one episode outside. See how it works. I'm going to test the waters out on that. Sure. But that's good though. But I noticed the growth and I had seen it. So it's like I didn't think anything of the podcast. It was new and fresh.

[00:27:31] So I was just surprised by comments on what you were saying after that. Because remind you. You was my third episode. I remember that. And for you to get some type of traction off that is like wow. So it was like wow. Yeah. So has your definition of self-love changed as you have gone through changes personally and in business? Yeah. It's changed a lot. The way I think. Taking care of myself. You know. Just.

[00:28:01] Yeah. Everything. If I'm going to preach self-love awareness. So I'm going to be about taking care of myself as a person. That's what. You know. So did it take. So like when you have a setback and once. Because everybody setbacks a little different. But do it helps you like be reborn again and get you back focused on what you started and the meaning of self-love awareness? Yeah. That helps out too. Just think about. Just think about what stuff I put.

[00:28:29] Just thinking about the stuff that I put into the business and stuff. So I just sit back and realize. Hey. Really got a good respect. That's what's up though. Because. A lot of people be losing sight on their vision. And. And I always say. You know. A lot of people really need like a person that they can talk to. Where there's no judgment going on. It's just you know. You. Them. It's between y'all two. None of that. You know. Pill talking back door stuff to stir up beef. And stuff like that.

[00:28:59] Because everybody needs somebody to vent to. Definitely. There. As a man. I feel like we got to talk. Like I said. The ego and stuff. We don't want to talk about what we're going through. So. And I just had this conversation yesterday with somebody. Somebody else. I'm close with. We talked. I talked about what I was going through. I feel bad. Not holding something. It's a weight off the shoulders. Therapy. So. And it's needed though. Because last year I had went to therapy. And the therapist.

[00:29:29] She was asking me all these questions. And this and that. And um. And I was just telling her stuff. And like everything on. That was going on this job. And she was like. Oh my god. And then like after the whole therapy session. Man. I felt like I done lost like 40 pounds. I was straight. Yes. Like that weight was off your shoulder. Oh yeah. Yeah. It was like. It was like a couple of people came out too. That month. Like in December. Two. Was caught me by surprise. Because I did it.

[00:29:59] Like months prior. But they never told me when they was going to put it out. Then they just hit me on the email. And said. Hey. We putting this out. And bam. I was like. Oh wow. And it was back. Actually back when I. We started the podcast. I was like. Dang. Yeah. It's just um. Motivating. Yeah. It is motivating. Yeah. I just like the fact that um. I had um. Kate on here. And she's a founder of Dip. And she had. Literated that. She liked it. The platform. Because it's a. Chance for people to tell.

[00:30:27] A story on how they got on to the entrepreneurship journey. Because a lot of people be thinking that you got to be wealthy. You got to have a co-signer. You know. You got to have all these different things. But. Entrepreneurship. It is what it is. But everybody's journey is different. So. My journey is different from yours. Yours is different from hers. So. You don't know anybody's background. You're just looking at the finished product. Yeah. People think you. You. So. Yeah. I didn't mean to cut you off. But people think you. Yeah. You're put together. Like. Like. You had it all figured out.

[00:30:57] But they don't know what you went through to. To build your. Your. Your brand and stuff. They just see what's. Mm-hmm. Social media. Yeah. And then when you test snippets. Of what it is that you did. They looking like. You did all that. Yeah. They'd be surprised. A lot of work. Like. You had a billboard dog. Yeah. I don't. I don't really think about that stuff. Like. I'm going to be honest. I spent $90 on that. Billboard for a whole week. See what I'm saying. $90. You had a billboard. That might have been my last.

[00:31:26] That might have been my last. Mm-hmm. But when you put it. When you put something. That you have a passion for. It comes right back to you. Definitely. Same thing with karma. Yeah. And a lot of people just don't realize it. So it's too late. Gotta watch how you treat people. Can't kick a man when he's down. That right there. Don't come around when I'm up. That right there. You know. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Karma. Cause. Cause what I'm noticing now. Like a lot of dudes. They want to be part of an entourage. They. They're more groupie than the women.

[00:31:56] Than the women. They're sitting back. Like trying to see if it's like. Real or not. Right. But the dudes. They don't care if it's real or not. They just want to be in the mix. You know. Which is crazy. Yeah. He just. It ain't not. It's not my cup. It's not my thing. Being up. Yeah. Cause. Yeah. I don't want to be no celebrity. But um. I don't want to be no celebrity. I just want to be. That's all that matters. Everybody got their own happiness. Yeah. But. What's one mistake. You have made.

[00:32:26] Since our first interview. That ultimately. Made you a better business owner. Like. Like. We need something like. What you know. So say. You made a mistake. Since. Our first interview. Like. So after the interview. Did you make like a mistake. And if you did. What ultimately made you better. As a business owner. Not putting myself first. I mean. That's the best thing. I can give you. Not putting myself first. That's the mistake I made. Putting myself before others. Putting up. Not putting myself first. You know.

[00:32:56] That's the mistake I made. You know. About living. Living. Living. Learning. Grow. Think about stuff. Like dang. So. It's hard to. You know. Deal with us. With us dudes. Because you know. A lot of us. Be searching for different things. Yeah. But. We always. Prejudged by everybody. Yeah. So sometimes. You know. We could. Be looking for somebody to vent to. But. Some folks will look at that as being soft. And being too emotional. But.

[00:33:24] Sometimes the moment is needed for certain things. And. A lot of folks just don't look at it. In a. Passionate. Concerning way. It's just that. That selfishness. Among them. And thinking. What they thinking. At that. At that time. That's what you're right about that. Especially as a man. Especially as a man. Mm-hmm. Different women. Because everybody. Different women want to throw their self at you. Mm-hmm. That's. That's that. That'd be. That'd be. I think that'd be our downfall.

[00:33:54] Being the man. Mm-hmm. Yeah. To a certain extent. But all of them not like that though. Yeah. But it's just the ones that we encounter. Depending on our environment. But yeah. All that gimme gimme gimme. And sometimes be like. You want to go out to eat. Sure. Sure. Let's say throw you for a loop. Yep. So. What are you doing differently today. When it comes to marketing. Social media. Networking. Or getting a brand in front of people. Since our first interview.

[00:34:24] Um. Promote. Promote myself. Like I said. Putting myself out here. More. Getting into these spaces. You know. Flyers. Pop-up shops. And I. I got a pop-up shop coming up soon. I'm doing. So. Like I said. Just. Getting myself out there. Yeah. I'll be seeing. The things you be putting together. I'll be wanting to attend. Yeah. Not getting out. You know. Getting out your comfort zone. Doing things you're not. Custom of doing. That's. Yeah. Yeah. Being a business owner.

[00:34:53] It's going to make you do some things. You're not comfortable with. But. You got to do it. To build your brand. And push it. How far you want it to. For it to be pushed. Yeah. I used to be like. Damn. I don't want to do no pop-up shop. I'm scared to talk to people. But I'm. I'm doing it. I'm glad I. I'm glad I. Put myself out there. So. You gain experience. Yes. It's easy. It's only. I don't even think about it. I'm doing a pop-up shop. Okay. That's true. I can talk to people. Mm-hmm. Before. Yeah. And.

[00:35:23] At them pop-up shops. You don't know who you're going to meet. I met. Who did I meet? It's a guy that does filmmaking. But. I forgot the name of his. Production company. Because. He. He was. He was timid and shy. But he wasn't really. Pushing himself out there. And then. That's a guy. He's real big in media out here too. His name is. So Brooklyn. And. I met him. Out here too. And then that next one. I met Michelle. And. I'm still in contact with all three of them people. To this day. Since I met them. So. That's true.

[00:35:53] So it's a lot of benefits to it. Like you said. Meeting people. Because you never know. Who you going to run into. Yeah. That's true. Yeah. My friends is Bow Wow. He posted my stuff. He posted my story. Stuff like that. And he's from Ohio. Yeah. From Ohio. His DJ. Even his DJ. DJ Just. He. He's wearing. He wore my hat. That's what's up. Yeah. So. Just putting myself out there. Just. Like damn. Mm-hmm. Putting all this work in. It's going to pay off eventually.

[00:36:22] As long as you think about the money. The money going to come. Mm-hmm. The whole passion. And I think. I think that's the part a lot of people be thinking. Oh. This person is going to steal my customer. It's not. It's just. Support. Yeah. Why we got to. We should. We should support each other. We shouldn't have to. We should support each other. We shouldn't have to go against each other. Support it. I support you. Mm-hmm. You support me. Nah. You're not going to take away my customers. I don't think about. I don't really. I don't think about that stuff. I really don't. I don't really think about it.

[00:36:51] Because I'm more so on the. Let's work together and collab. And build each other up. Because this is a dude that I work with. He's from Dallas. And. Well. I say he's from Dallas. But he repped Arlington. And he said that. He always wanted his circle to be like. Everybody is a boss in their own way. Instead of just like that one person with the entourage. Like everybody. If they're not on the same level. They're on something similar. And I remember him saying that to me. I was like. Yeah. So I always keep that in the back of my mind. Still in contact with him to this day.

[00:37:22] Yeah. I say his name is RT. Yeah. Out of Arlington. But yeah. Yeah. So man. If you could talk. To the version of yourself. Who sat down. The first time. On this podcast. What would you tell him now? You said the first part. When we first did the first podcast. Yeah. From that person. All the way up to now. What would you say to that person? I wasn't really. The first podcast. That was my first podcast. Doing with you. I was. I was. I wasn't really a talker.

[00:37:53] When we did the first podcast. I was. I was sheltered in. I had. I was. I was covered up with everything. I was. But now. This. The one we're doing now. I feel like I'm more. Calm. You know. Talking more. You know. The first one. I feel like. I wasn't really talking as much. But this. This one though. I feel like I was a personal. Personal growth. Yeah. Personal growth. And then you mentioned earlier. Your mindset different. Certain things happen. And as humans. Things going to happen. So. Everything happens for a reason. It's going to take a minute for you to realize it. Yeah.

[00:38:22] So you can't get mad at that. But that's really good that you recognize. Where you stand. What you building. And how you're being looked at from the outside. From the people from the outside looking in. Yeah. Because you mentioned it was rough in Dayton. So for you to still be pushing. A year and some change later. It's like. Okay. He's still going. Definitely. Even. How long has your company been in existence? Man. That's crazy to think about. Six years. That's what's up. Six years. What about you? Five years this month.

[00:38:53] On the 20th and make five years. That's crazy. I don't even think about. I don't even think about how many years I put in. But it saves it. Six years. That's a long. That saves a lot. A lot of people coming. But I'm still here. Only because. About the money. That's it. They want the dollar. And that's it. They're gone. Quick. For us to be here. You said five years. I've been here. Six years. It's just. Like I said. It's the motivation. It's passion. It's just.

[00:39:22] And mind you. I never. Start selling till May. 2023. But I started it. I had a same. Similar situation. I got. I was in a relationship. And she just wasn't seeing my vision. And then. She was just doing certain little things. And I was like this. This ain't gonna match up the business. So. Once we parted ways. I had time to sit there. Think. Get myself together. And push it the way I wanted to push it. Because. My thing was. I was gonna be in the background.

[00:39:52] And she was gonna be the. The foreperson of it. And I was gonna guide her on how to do it. But. The way she was moving. I just. It just wasn't. What was that? I just wasn't digging it. Yeah. I feel you wasn't. Mm-hmm. I feel you wasn't. Wasn't feeling the. Was it the energy? The vibe? I would say. She was speaking more of it. Than me. To her peers. And people that she knew. And. The amount of attention that I was getting.

[00:40:21] For her speaking on me about it. She didn't. She didn't like that. The ego. Yep. I haven't even sold anything. Like. We. I can. I created the. The LLC. And um. And that was it. So ain't no sales. And nothing being made. Like. No promotion of nothing. So all this happened pre. Me pushing out. Pre. 2023 of May. Then she took all the equipment. Then I had to get it back. So yeah. Yeah. I had to start from scratch. That's cool. She's still here bro. Yes. I've been up ever since then. Still.

[00:40:51] Still here. Yeah. Still here. Like the first season one. Is like I started a podcast. Testing it out. Season two. It taught me how to. Manage my time. Pay attention to a lot of different details. And everything. And this season. Is more so me. Putting everything that I learned. And making it like a finished product. And now it has an identity. And people rock with it. Yeah. I still wear the sunglasses though. That's your. That's your.

[00:41:21] Yeah. Mm-hmm. But. So what does the next level look like. For self-love awareness. Are you trying to take it. Nationwide. But you already said it's nationwide. I'm trying. So. Go ahead. I'm trying to take it further. Even further. As you should. With the clothes. And. Just more. Not even a close. Just trying to. Motivate people. To go after something they learned. For different kids. All that stuff. Not just. Clothes. I don't know. Up. Just uplift people.

[00:41:50] That's what I'm on too. When I started the podcast. And when I was going live on TikTok. It was a lot of youth. So a lot of them was. You know. Asking me questions. And want me to play their music. You know. I had no problem doing that. And actually one dude. That was on my live. He was. He was like. Hey. Can you play my song? They know I'm from a can of paint. And he was. I was like. Yeah. I was like. Send it to him. I was like. If it's trash. I'm gonna tell you. It's trash. He was like. I'm cool with that. And then I played it. And it was straight. It was some good music. He sent me his albums. Before it released.

[00:42:19] He'll send me copies of it. And I'll listen to him. And I'll give him my opinion. Long story short. I say. Within. Six months. After that. He sent me. A DM. Of the game. Hitting him up. Talking about. Let's work. Oh wow. And on that dude. He was from LA. Rap name Lil Smooth. And then there was another youngster. I don't know if he. I think he listens to the podcast. But. I used to go live.

[00:42:49] And he'll ask. Hey. Can you listen to my song? He was a SoundCloud rapper. So. Now. He done. Pushed this thing. All the way out. So. He creating music. From the room. Like Larry June. No studio. No nothing. So. He's growing too. And. I think his parents is involved too. Cool kid though. I could tell. Some of the stuff he be doing. I have a feeling. He was listening. Everybody had their own way. Of interpreting. Information. Kind of like the same thing. With you. You said. When you first appeared on here.

[00:43:19] Yeah. Gross. It's a beautiful thing. But. The second part of that question. Are you going to expand your products? Collaborate with other brands? Or something else? That's something I think about all the time. I want to do that. Collab with people. Don't be scared. I really want to collab with people. I really want to do that. That's something I think about all the time. Only time will tell you. I was going to come. Tell you. I got a lot of things cooking up. You know what I'm saying? And. I'm about to. I'm about to. Really put this together. This new equipment I got.

[00:43:48] It's top tier. Yeah. You just don't know dog. Yeah. For sure. But. So when. When we sat down a year ago. From now. What do you want. To be able. To say that you accomplished? Um. I want to say. Everything that I. Everything that I did. My bad. What you say bro? From a year ago. What is it. Um. You feel like you had accomplished? Everything that I accomplished? From a year ago. When we first sat down. Oh. So you asking me. What. Everything that I accomplished? Yeah. Since the first time you was on the podcast.

[00:44:18] I feel like I accomplished a lot man. Just. Growing. Growing as a person. Like. I feel like I just. My. My thoughts. My. Everything. I feel like I just grew as a person. More aware of things. You know. Stuff like that. Okay. And I got a bonus question. This is going to be the last one. So. You were the first guest who took a chance. On this podcast. Right. Now. That you're coming back for season three. And you have seen how the platform has grown. Right. What's it.

[00:44:46] What's it like seeing. What we legit has become since your first interview. My bad. My bad. Cutting out. You said. I'll say it again. You were the first guest. Who took a chance on the podcast. Now that you're coming back for season three. And you have seen how. The platform has grown. What's it like seeing we legit. Has become since that first interview. I feel like your podcast is blowing. Your podcast is blowing up. I didn't see. I didn't see it from the start. Now. Up to now. I see everything.

[00:45:16] I feel like it grew. You're right about that. We overseas now. Yeah. For sure. That first season. It was real big in Tunisia. Africa. Now it's something. It didn't grow. Like. As of right now. It didn't touch. Finland. Singapore. New Zealand. Cameroon. Japan. Singapore. Lebanon. It's so many different countries. Right now. It's LA. Virginia. Nashville. Nashville. Area of course.

[00:45:46] Chicago. And Utah. And I want to say New Jersey. New Jersey. And Atlanta. That. Yeah. Definitely. Mm-hmm. Hey. I'm on 2%. All right, dawg. We'll let this go. Sure. It's about to end. But I'm going to touch bases with you. Okay. And it was nice having you on the podcast. Yeah. Appreciate it, man. Definitely. Love yourself. Love yourself. Treat yourself always. Stay motivated. Stay hydrated. Yes, sir.

[00:46:16] I'll catch you on the flip side, man. All right, man. Appreciate it, man. No problem. All right, man. Not just me. Late. Thank you for tuning into another episode of WeLegit 1-6 Story Hustle Podcast. If you enjoyed the conversation, make sure you subscribe to the YouTube channel and follow us on Spotify and all major audio platforms. Check us out at WeLegitClothing.com or the latest from WeLegit.

[00:46:44] And follow us on social media at WeLegit1-6. Keep building. Keep hustling. And remember, it's not just a brand. It's a lifestyle. WeLegit. See you next episode.