Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Williams.
Adam, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Ok, so boom! all good stories start with an “Ok, so Boom!” In 2006 I moved to Atlanta to continue my education. I was just a kind from a small middle of nowhere town in Missouri… Kansas City, Missouri, you may have heard of it by now since we are the raining Super Bowl Champs. I just googled what I wanted to study and the first school that popped up was in Atlanta and I enrolled, and boy was that a mistake! I quickly came to my senses and enrolled into SCAD. Being around such a creative collection of individuals was what I had been search of my whole life, it seemed. I’ve always been a dreamer. I knew where I was at the time wasn’t where I wanted to be. I’m a person that never gives up. I believe that you can do and have anything you put your mind to. The thought of having a clothing brand happen for me very early in my life; I just had no clue how or when I was going to do it. Around 2009 I designed my first shirt and from there, it was on. Somewhere around that time, I tweeted, “Dreams Don’t Expire.” I had different name for my brand initially and Dreams Don’t Expire was to be the motto. There was one Dreams Don’t Expire shirt in the collection and it was my favorite and for those who purchased from me.
Eventually, I grew tired of my brand name and all though I had experienced some success, I decided it was time for a rebrand. DREAMS DON’T EXPIRE It had to be. I started Tagging “Dreams Don’t Expire” in a few spots around the city. Most noticeably was the wall on 17th street leaving Atlantic Station as you turn on Northside Drive, and of course, Krog Street. They were awful looking because I was so nervous to even be tagging. However, people began to stop and take photos next to them. I even spotted someone selling my tag as a photo on etsy. Over the years, I have released tees on and off I would have product and once I sold out, that would be it until I released again. As much as I wanted my business to grow, I needed what I made to survive. Knowing that was not a good business model I needed a way to keep product in stock at all times. In 2018 I bought a one-color silkscreen press and began printing my own shirts and hoodies, and we’ve continued to grow from there. Which brings me to today. This Fall/Winter 2020, I’ll be doing my biggest drop yet looking to make my mark as another prominent brand from Atlanta.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
A smooth road? What’s that? Throughout the years, I have had many ups and downs. I’ve always had the brand but I’ve been inconsistent with product. I’m a one-man army, it takes a lot to grow and you can’t do it alone. Funding of course is a big one. You’re going to be spending a lot of money upfront with no guarantees. I’ve learned a lot about the business just from jumping out there and failing. Its a continuous process, and if you want to grow, you’ll keep falling you’ll just get better at it.
Please tell us about Dreams Don’t Expire.
Dreams Don’t Expire is a streetwear brand for Dreamers. Most known for our Signature Logo “Dreams Don’t Expire” Tee. I have to say that I’m most proud of the resilience of myself and brand. We practice what we preach.
Dreams Don’t Expire, we are a brand, a movement that gives you reason to keep looking toward your goals and dreams. Dreams Don’t Expire specifically addresses the transition from having had that first initial dream or aspiration and for whatever reason it was put on hold; be it life experience, failure, heartache or maybe success in other areas and it has taken you in a different direction. Whatever caused you to stop believing in your dreams, DDE is saying that you can keep your dreams intact. Through Dreams Don’t Expire, our hope is to encourage and prove that even though we go through many things in life no matter where we land there is no time limit on your dreams because DREAMS DON’T EXPIRE!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Nothing, the bumps and bruises I have are what makes my brand authentic. Consistency is key though.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dreamsdontexpire.com
- Email: adam@dreamsdontexpire.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamsdontexpire_
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