From Friend to Co-founder - The Story Behind Support Black Colleges

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Story Behind Support Black Colleges
3. The Vision and Mission of Support Black Colleges
4. Justin's Journey: From Friend to Co-founder
5. The Growth and Success of Support Black Colleges
6. Collaborations with NBA and Celebrities
7. The Daily Operations of Support Black Colleges
8. Behind the Scenes: Tour of the Warehouse
9. Tips for Starting a Clothing Brand
10. Overcoming Challenges and Learning from Failures
11. The Importance of Investing in Self-Education
12. Future Plans and Expansion for Support Black Colleges

The Story Behind Support Black Colleges

Support Black Colleges is a unique brand that aims to inspire, uplift, and raise awareness for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Founded in 2012, this brand has gained significant attention and success over the years, collaborating with influential celebrities and making a name for itself in the industry.

Introduction

Last week, I received a DM from Justin Phillips, one of the co-founders of Support Black Colleges. Intrigued by their mission and success, I decided to visit their warehouse in Atlanta to learn more about their business and how they built such a thriving brand.

The Vision and Mission of Support Black Colleges

Support Black Colleges is all about supporting black education and bringing awareness to the amazing HBCUs out there. They have created a movement that aims to uplift and inspire individuals while also making a positive impact in the community. With their dedicated team and strong vision, Support Black Colleges has been able to make a significant difference in the lives of many.

Justin's Journey: From Friend to Co-founder

Justin Phillips, one of the co-founders of Support Black Colleges, didn't start off as a part of the original founding team. He joined the business as a friend who wanted to help out. With his background in digital media, he played a crucial role in building their social media presence and participated in their initial photo shoots. A few years later, Justin officially became a co-founder and jumped into the business full-time.

The Growth and Success of Support Black Colleges

Since its inception, Support Black Colleges has experienced exponential growth. They have gained a strong following, collaborated with numerous celebrities, and even had their clothes featured in NBA 2K. Their success has allowed them to make millions of dollars a year, and they continue to scale their business.

Collaborations with NBA and Celebrities

Support Black Colleges has had the privilege of collaborating with NBA players and influential celebrities. They recently had the opportunity to design and create gear for all the All-Stars at the NBA All-Star Game. Celebrities such as Zion Williamson, Missy Elliott, Chris Paul, and Rick Ross have also shown their support for the brand. These collaborations have helped increase the brand's visibility and reach.

The Daily Operations of Support Black Colleges

Running a successful brand like Support Black Colleges requires dedication and careful management. Justin and his team have established a systematic approach to their daily operations. They start their day by checking their to-do list and touching base with the staff. Justin also spends time designing new merchandise, checking inventory, and ensuring that orders are being fulfilled on time.

Behind the Scenes: Tour of the Warehouse

During my visit, Justin gave me a tour of the Support Black Colleges warehouse. The walls were lined with inventory, including hoodies and clothing in various sizes. They use a program called Finale Inventory to track their inventory and manage shipments through ShipStation. Justin also explained the process of getting their hoodies made, from sourcing patches overseas to heat pressing and sewing them onto the garments.

Tips for Starting a Clothing Brand

Starting a clothing brand can be challenging, but Justin shared some valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. He emphasized the importance of understanding your strengths, stress tolerance, time investment, and desired profitability. Depending on these factors, entrepreneurs can choose between different business models such as print on demand, screen printers, or dropshipping. Building a brand that aligns with one's values is crucial for long-term success.

Overcoming Challenges and Learning from Failures

Justin's journey to success hasn't been without its fair share of challenges and failures. However, he believes that these experiences have been instrumental in his growth. From selling candy as a child to his first unsuccessful attempts at online businesses, Justin learned the importance of resilience and taking action. He encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace failures as learning opportunities and to keep moving forward.

The Importance of Investing in Self-Education

Throughout his entrepreneurial journey, Justin realized the significance of self-education. He started by consuming free content on platforms like YouTube and gradually invested in courses and coaching calls with established entrepreneurs. Despite initial setbacks, Justin understood that execution and practical knowledge were key to his success. He advises others to invest in themselves and take action rather than getting trapped in analysis paralysis.

Future Plans and Expansion for Support Black Colleges

Support Black Colleges has a bright future ahead. Justin and his team have ambitious plans to scale up their business, form more partnerships, and expand into wholesale. They also intend to create content through their YouTube channel and educate aspiring entrepreneurs through books and courses. With their determination and passion, Support Black Colleges is poised for continued growth and impact in the community.

Highlights

• Support Black Colleges is a brand dedicated to supporting black education and raising awareness for HBCUs.
• Justin Phillips started as a friend but eventually became a co-founder of Support Black Colleges.
• The brand has experienced significant growth, collaborating with NBA players and influential celebrities.
• Justin shared insight into the daily operations of the business, including inventory management and fulfillment.
• Starting a clothing brand requires understanding oneself and aligning the business with personal values.
• Overcoming failures and investing in self-education have been critical to Justin's success.
• Support Black Colleges plans to expand, form more partnerships, and create content to educate aspiring entrepreneurs.

FAQs

Q: How did Support Black Colleges get started? A: Support Black Colleges was founded in 2012 by a group of individuals passionate about supporting black education and raising awareness for HBCUs.

Q: What has been the brand's biggest collaboration? A: Support Black Colleges recently collaborated with the NBA, designing and creating gear for all the All-Stars at the NBA All-Star Game.

Q: How can I start my own clothing brand? A: Starting a clothing brand requires understanding your strengths, stress tolerance, and desired profitability. It's important to align the business with your values and choose a business model that suits your goals and resources.

Q: Is self-education necessary for success in entrepreneurship? A: Yes, self-education plays a significant role in entrepreneurial success. Investing in courses, coaching calls, and continuous learning can help develop practical knowledge and improve execution skills.