In Ellicott City, MD, Nicole Dutra found a passion for hand dying clothes and fabrics. After years of experimentation with different methods of tie dying, she found ice dying her favorite. A couple more years later, she decided to sell her work and create a business out of it. She named her business Dutraville, and creates all of her pieces from home. She sells her work both from Instagram and Etsy, but she also does custom orders. Nicole provides excellent customer service with both quick shipping and, if you’re in the area, she will even drive it to you. She even will give you a personal tour of her studio and explain the process behind ice dying, show you all of her dyes, and even let you help her get a project started! She sells everything from tote bags to hoodies to Turkish towels, and she provides a discount if you want her to dye an article of clothing (or other cotton piece) that you already have. Her business is still growing, but it is definitely already worth her time. Nicole has had stands at many small business fairs, most commonly being outside Su Casa on Main Street in Old Ellicott City one Saturday of every month. She has even had the opportunity to partner with other small business owners and combine their products and skills! Dutraville is one of my favorite small businesses to support.
Archive for Clothing – Page 4
Dustin Williams, a Mississippi boy with love for cars, moved with all he had to Southern California after graduating high school. He moved into a friend’s house; all he had was a Subaru WRX and a camera. He began making money through photography by working at a high-end car dealership and doing weddings. He also had a YouTube channel that began seeing some success. As he grew his photography business, Legends Media, he made his own shirts and wore them in his YouTube videos. His audience enjoyed his sense of style and his brand and encouraged him to begin selling apparel, which he then did. His brand, Legends Media, saw very early success among his fans and quickly grew. Today, he does monthly drops based on his life and YouTube channel as well as a subscription for monthly t-shirts and other benefits. He now has 675k subscribers on YouTube and continues to grow at a rapid pace.
Dustin has been an entrepreneur from the start! He began making money by doing photography for people and then reinvested that money into what he loved, cars. He then used his cars to provide content for YouTube, and the rest is history. He has inspired me and many others to do what they love and to go the extra step. The motto he carries in his life and shares with others is “Do More.” He encourages his audience to always go the extra mile, because it may pay off in the future. His entrepreneurial mind has inspired so many, including me. His ability to make a living doing what he loves is very inspiring and makes me want to do the same!
Lucca is very famous on Tik Tok and known for his ironic clothing apparel and has blown up on Tik Tok for advertising his apparel. What is unique about this young entrepreneur is that he uses ideas from people who comment of his Tik Tok’s, so he is appealing to the public, who are buying his stuff, and is more likely to sell more of his clothing if he uses ideas straight from consumers. He is also making customers laugh and have cool stuff which is what motivates him. The funny shirts and apparel that are usually ironic and don’t make sense is what makes his business interesting and intriguing. He does his business out of his house and uses his own website to organize his orders, this always makes his business innovating. With him being able to organize his own website makes it more personal for himself and customers instead of using an Esty shop where Esty gets to include their franchise. I have learned through him that if you have an idea, you can truly start anywhere, and it is so cool that he uses ideas from the public to get variety in his apparel so it’s not the same thing all the time.
Many YouTubers today can be considered entrepreneurs with the way they use their channel. One of these YouTubers was TJ Hunt. TJ started his channel when he was in high school. He wanted to document his time modifying his first car, a BMW 328i. Modifying his car was just a hobby, but it did not take long for him to realize that he could monetize what he loved. He began making more videos and soon bought a Subaru BRZ, the car that marked TJ’s rise onto the car scene. The more he modified that car, the more his channel grew. As his platform has grown, primarily on YouTube, his car collection has grown. He has owned a lot of cars and sold plenty, but today he still has that BRZ along with 15 more. He has been able to monetize his hobby of cars through YouTube’s monetization and brand partnerships.
TJ has also used his presence on YouTube to start his own clothing brand called Hunt & Company in 2016. As time has progressed, the quality of his products have only improved. I own quite a few products of his myself and you might catch me wearing some. TJ has been able to use content on his channel and a great design team to create quality products that his fans relate to and appreciate. As a result, the Hunt & Company has seen tremendous success and has proven very profitable for TJ. He has been able to hire full-time staff for the company and frequently releases drops for customers to sell out in minutes. TJ has been able to use his influence and platform to create more and make money in the process.
What TJ has shown me is that it is possible to make money doing something you love that most likely would not make money. In fact, his hobby typically spends more than it makes! He has inspired many others to create as well and do what they love. TJ also spreads awareness to mental health. During his journey making YouTube videos, he experienced a rough patch that really put a halt to his plans he had for life. As he worked through it, he told himself to always keep moving forward, and that is the slogan he carries with him from his clothing to the outro of every video. TJ has been able to spread a positive influence on many others and has shown his entrepreneurship spirit through all that he does.
This product was created by Kaycee Jones, a dancer who struggled with pain in her legs and feet throughout her dance career. She created a compression sock that supports vulnerable leg and foot muscles. Apolla is unique because the company founders used a nonprofit called MSC, based out of North Carolina and connected with Catawba Community College. Company owners were passionate about dancing and making sure that dancers didn’t suffer from foot and leg pain that could hamper their careers. Their product is interesting because the socks are specially crafted for dancers, but can be used in non-dance ways as well. Their socks have made life easier for hikers, runners, and more. They demonstrate entrepreneurial traits by obtaining patens for their product, utilizing a 14 day money back guarantee, and by improving their product consistently. Their most recent model is moisture wicking, antimicrobial, and have the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance. Apolla Socks are innovating as they continue to up their sales and develop as a company. They now come in 6 different sizes including no-show, crew, and midcalf, as well as others. This company inspires me in my thinking about creating a product through their use of a nonprofit. I generally connotate nonprofit with making less money, and while money isn’t everything, it is important when creating a product. Apolla, though, is doing very well with sales, has the backing from Shark Tank, has a very cool website, and is on selling platforms such as Amazon. This just goes to show that partnering with a nonprofit can be a great way to not only make a difference, but also make a profit. A principle I’ve picked up from this product is the recruiting of partners in a business situation. Kaycee came up with the product, but she enlisted the help of her business-oriented friend as well as a dancer, who together made the company what it is today.
Have you ever found yourself wearing socks or leggings and wishing there were pockets? Sofi Overton, who founded the company Wise Pocket at the age of 11 saw this problem and the need for a solution. Sofi’s inspiration came when she saw her cousin put her phone in her boot because her leggings had no pockets. She got to work and created a sock with a pocket capable of securely holding a phone. Some of Sofi’s inspiration was that “There are lots of active kids like me that need a safe and stylish way to not only store phones but other important items like epi-pens or inhalers!” 
I personally think this is a great product because I often find myself wearing clothes without pockets and in need of somewhere to put my phone/wallet. I think that Sofi’s idea is very innovative in a market where you may think there are very limited possibilities for new ideas. The wise sock is the perfect sock for active kids and any demographic with storage needs, because there is always always a safe and secure place to hold your phone, wallet, keys, or whatever else you need close. I would definitely invest in this product!
Moziah Bridges is the founder, president and creative director of his company Mo’s Bows. They are a family business that is based out of Memphis. Mo was nine years old when he founded his company. He was looking for an accessory to match his personality but could not come across anything that suited him. So with the help of his grandmother, he was able to make the first model of his company. From there on, the rest was history. He did around $55,000 in sales before being featured on the television show Shark tank. After seven months his company made close to $200,000 and about two years later made close to $600,000. He was very successful due to two traits he has, being ambitious and wise. He was very ambitious by creating a company from scratch with his grandma at a young age. He was able to get into the very competitive market of men’s clothes and continue to succeed. I would also describe him as wise by not taking a deal with the sharks or being discouraged by this. After not making a deal, he took mentorship under Daymond John and the business continued to improve. He eventually went on to give former president Barack Obama a custom-made tie in “Obama Blue,” as well as produced bow ties and neckties for all 30 National Basketball Association teams.
Throughout reading articles about Moziah, I realized how there are so many possibilities to start up a successful company. There are so many businesses that have opportunities to create a new niche where a new company could be created. This has helped me to begin thinking of new creative ways to improve current problems.
At just 12 years old, Trey Brown started his entrepreneurial journey. Trey started by using $178 to buy shirts that he customized and sold. This purchase was the start of something much bigger for Trey.
Spergo, Trey’s company, sells customized socks, t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatpants. The company was started with the help of Sherell Peterson, Trey’s mother, who is a seamstress. She now helps run the business with Trey.
Like many businesses, the name Spergo has a meaning to Trey. He says it is a combination of sports, heroes, and go-getters. This name was crafted after Trey decided he wanted to help the kids in his community escape the violence and drugs they were surrounded with. With Spergo, Trey hopes to serve as an inspiration to the kids around him which makes his business have a great value to his community.
Trey got a $25,000 grant that helped kickstart his business to a larger scale. He was able to move from selling shirts door-to-door to a brick-and-mortar store. He then expanded to a total of three stores. Trey’s most recent endeavor was going on Shark Tank where he received $300,000 for 20% stake in his company. He hopes to expand more with this money.
Trey is an impressive young entrepreneur. He has the charisma to sell his product and get people to financially support his business endeavors. This charm will allow him to keep growing and become more successful in the future. He is also ambitious. By starting so young, he is setting himself up for a life of success in whatever adventure he chooses next. His goals are also impressive. He wants to change the future for the kids around him which makes him inspiring. At such a young age, he realizes that changes need to be made in order to provide a better future for those around him. Trey possess many key qualities that an entrepreneur needs to have to succeed and his plans for the future show he is ready to keep going.
Ultimately, Trey Brown is a great example of a young entrepreneur because he is not afraid to go out there and do the work to succeed.
Socks. When I think of socks, many images come to mind: high socks, low socks, quality socks, cheap socks, thick socks, thin socks, plain socks, and fun socks. Having a pair of fun socks can sometimes just brighten up the day. Many people have their fun socks, but do you have any socks as unique as Hoop Swagg? Young entrepreneur, Brennan Agranoff, created a business that makes socks with incredibly unique designs.
During his junior year in high school, Brennan started searching for socks but not the plain athletic socks. He wanted something with a unique design but still an athletic sock. When he could not find what he was looking for in the market, he decided to create the socks himself. After long hard
research, Brennan taught himself the process of code and graphic design and slowly started forming his business. With the help of his dad as his investor, the young entrepreneur opened shop in his garage where he could print the designs on the socks. His ideas for his designs can come from anywhere— some are random while others are pictures from around him, like the goats which are one of the most popular designs that he sells. His business, Hoop Swagg, originally started just as a sock business but then it expanded into the arm sleeves, face coverings, shoe lacings, and apparel. And surprising fact is that he is colorblind and can still create designs that are completely amazing. After five years in the sock business, Hoop Swagg generates over one million dollars annually.
Brennan enjoys his business even though he has a busy life with school, chores, and soccer. He also donates to 
charitable causes and has a page on his website where you can participate in fundraising. Brennan was able to find solution to dull athletic socks and created a business where he can have fun and make money.
You can find his website here.
If you have kids, you know how quickly they grow out of clothes in their first two years. Eve Kekeh recognized this problem and started her own company to help parents seeking a more sustainable and convenient way to access baby clothes. Her company, Bundlee, is the UK’s first sustainable baby clothing rental subscription.
Having two younger siblings, Eve Kekeh experienced first hand just how quickly babies will grow out of their clothing. She says, “Babies outgrow 7 clothing sizes in their first 2 years, and seeing the amount of waste this led to made me think there had to be a better way.” While spending a year studying abroad in the US, Kekeh discovered a designer womenswear rental service. She fell in love with this idea and soon realized that this same concept could be applied to baby clothing. Through careful research and receiving useful feedback from hundreds of parents, Kekeh developed Bundlee.
Bundlee is unique as it is tailored to fit the parents’ (and babies’) specific clothing needs. You simply choose a subscription plan that works best for your family, wear the clothes with no worries (thanks to the included rental insurance), and then conveniently swap clothing as your little one grows. All returned clothes are then thoroughly cleaned through their eco-friendly Ozone sanitization method and sent on to be loved by the next family.
In order to provide the very best quality, Eve Kekeh designs all collections that Bundlee offers herself. In addition, all pieces are made in the UK in a women run and owned factory, where Kekeh frequently visits to ensure that it meets her ethical standards. While designing pieces, it’s important to Kekeh that all fabrics used are suitable for babies’ sensitive skin. That is why all clothes are made with breathable cotton and free of any harmful chemicals.
Bundlee has continued to grow and flourish over the past few years. Eve Kekeh shows true innovation as she has built a company that helps so many, while helping the planet as well.