What began as a simple conversation eventually turned into a tattoo design that my father and I both agreed upon. That design then sparked the idea of developing a brand that narrates a story based on life events. My father and I share the same tattoo, “Forever Striving,” inked on the inner biceps of my arms. Surrounding the artwork are money signs, with the phrase “Forever Striving” breaking through bricks. The bricks symbolize the challenges and initial roadblocks encountered while building a successful life. Together, my father and I defined “Forever Striving” as “Strive today, gain forever.”
Litt Off Life is the clothing brand I founded—an exclusive streetwear brand that embodies a way of living. Living is a non-ordinary experience, and thanks to the inflated pigskin ball, I’ve traveled from the East Coast to the West Coast. As a Black entrepreneur and a current Division 1 football player at the top academic institution in the state of Texas, my journey has been unique.
Since the age of three or four, sports have been my primary passion. As I got older, football became my sole identity. However, after sustaining an injury that forced me to miss a significant amount of time playing the game, I turned to my clothing brand as a way to stay grounded. Studying fashion design and creating my own pieces quickly became a genuine hobby—one that has brought me true joy. It has allowed me to dive into an industry with a long history of evolving styles, from the cyclical nature of fashion trends to the use of multi-paneled garments and modern designs.
In February 2024, I released my first garment—a heavyweight hoodie featuring direct-to-garment prints on both the front and back. After receiving the sample in December 2023, I was able to gather feedback, which helped refine the final product. When I finally launched the hoodie, the response was overwhelmingly positive. I received praise about the warmth and comfort of the material, as well as how well it cleaned. Hearing remarks like “That’s a nice hoodie” or “This is a fire concept” from my inner circle was both euphoric and confidence-boosting. Knowing that I had created something people truly liked gave me the motivation to continue.
What solidified my decision to release the hoodie was the number of people asking, “Where did you get that?” after seeing it in an Instagram post. When I dropped my first hoodie, the “Slow Boogie Is Better Than No Boogie” design, I sold out my initial bulk order and experienced strong sales. Since there’s never a guarantee of a product’s success, selling out my first release was an exhilarating experience. One of the most memorable moments was when a coach told me, “Dude, I need to get another one because my youngest son has been wearing it more than I have.” After restocking, I faced a challenge when the Chinese New Year arrived, temporarily halting all production. Business slowed down, but the moment the hoodies arrived, they sold out again just as quickly.
Where Do You Get Your Inspiration From?
For me, one of the most exciting aspects of owning a clothing brand is creating designs and graphics that tell a story. Many of my ideas stem from significant memories, ranging from my childhood to present-day experiences. One of my greatest influences is Virgil Abloh. His foundation and principles—rooted in Louis Vuitton and Off-White—have had a major impact on my creative approach. I truly resonate with his belief that “less is more.” May he rest in peace, as he was an influential and deeply missed individual. I believe this approach keeps an audience engaged, almost compelling them to pay attention to every drop, knowing each release will be in high demand. Storytelling strengthens the connection between a brand and its customers, allowing them to understand exactly what they’re wearing.
One of the first challenges I encountered was learning how to use Adobe Photoshop. The software is incredibly complex, but thanks to YouTube and social media, I’ve been steadily expanding my skill set over the past year. I’m now at a stage where I can effectively blend images and experiment with various texture overlays to manipulate the final look of a design. Another challenge I face is having too many designs to choose from, as I’m constantly creating or jotting down ideas whenever inspiration strikes. However, I don’t see this as a bad problem to have. Collaborating with my peers to develop concepts is one of my favorite aspects of the creative process. It’s exciting to work alongside like-minded individuals who share a similar vision for clothing design. All I need to get into my creative zone is some good music, followed by sketching ideas on paper or scrolling through Pinterest for inspiration.
Building Litt Off Life has been an exciting journey filled with challenges, growth, and creative expression. What started as a meaningful tattoo shared with my father has transformed into a brand that represents resilience, ambition, and storytelling through fashion. From learning new design techniques to experiencing the thrill of selling out my first hoodie, every step has reinforced my passion for this industry. As I continue expanding beyond Houston, my goal remains the same—to create clothing that not only looks great but carries a deeper message, inspiring others to keep striving, no matter the obstacles they face.
