Mar 3, 2014
Playing with a concept lately that takes up a majority of my time hashing out. It's something familiar but relatively underused because the implications that go alongside it are dangerous for most businesses and entities to rely on. Once you give it a close look, you'll understand why it's often overlooked and also shunned by the majority of people we deal with in and out of business.
If you haven't guessed the name or source of the piece, I will give you a hint, actually, I'll go even farther and just give you the word itself: truth.
There was a point where I had to examine the way I deal with people and do "business" because some things weren't adding up.After some choice insights and musings from strangers, I came to realize the reason any of this works is also the reason it doesn't at times.I tell it like it is.
Now that's a great thing if you're in a wonderful position of obscurity,power, or you have a tough skin (often synonymous with delusion), but that's not always the case.So, the truth can be troublesome.
After some heavy deliberation and a ton of fan emails asking something to the effect of "why don't you tell people this?" or "wow, I had no idea"...it seems I was not authentic.If something was just really bad or painted a light that was uncomfortable, it was pretty much glazed over or avoided.
If this were politics, that would be an awesome thing.But this is a brand about struggling to reach goals, breaking molds, hardship,resiliency,and at the end of the day, it just doesn't work to ask so much of you without putting that responsibility on myself while running this. It's essentially a lie. Lies don't work here.
With all of these revelations, there comes more.You guys have to be truthful with yourselves and ask whether you would rather bathe in mediocrity or if you indeed live the brand and want more.
If you do, get on the mailing list, tell friends, spread the brand and culture in places we can't go. This has been a labor of love and continues to be, but it can't be done alone.The places we try to go, they might not always want or accept us.This isn't new, it's life. And if someone doesn't want or accept you, why would you try to support them in the first place?
That's been a part of the struggle in not only streetwear, but life as of late.There's a feeling now that is hard to shake, and working on some pieces has made me realize what was missing all along...the complete, unabashed,truth.
Feelings will be hurt, egos will be crushed, pride may be jettisoned.But,the end result should prove to yield all of you a more worthwhile brand that not only tries harder than ever to give you the best, but also doesn't settle for any less with any facet of the brand or culture behind it. You're in for some good stuff.
In the meantime, keep holding on and persisting, spread the word to everyone you know.We need that from you and I'm genunine in saying it's for the sake of making something great happen. This and just doing the best you can for yourselves to want and do more each day is all we can ask...oh, and maybe some Laffy Taffy...but that's another day (grape is the best). Carry on and stay hungry out there! -h_h-
Try Hard, Never Settle, Stay Hungry -h_h-
