Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Mattox.
Marcus, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
One screen, half a tub of cream ink, a few blanks to mess up, a halfway decent print & the curiosity of a toddler. That was when it happened. Maybe not when it started but that’s when it happened, the moment I envisioned Wise Juveniles for what it could really be. I had come up with the name, found a slogan, paid for a cheap logo… the textbook stuff. But in that exact moment, I brought it to LIFE, only way I knew how to describe it to someone was “Bro I found my thing”. Instantly I imagined my future product line, the exact vibe and look I wanted to go for in my garments, what I’d want my stores to look like, the whole nine. After that, I got to work immediately, samples on top of samples and posted all my progress on social media. The responses I got was confirmation I was headed in the right direction. Still no customers, but the concept was THERE. That’s all I needed, a good concept and the will to execute my own imagination.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. If the road was smooth, I wouldn’t be able to find the love in it. I needed people to criticize my stuff, I needed people to flake on me when I thought I needed their help, I needed people to waste my time before I found the value of my own. I needed every L, every setback because that’s where stars are born, not in the light where everybody sees them but in the dark til they make it shine. Every time a bullet was thrown, I got back up because I love this. I believe in this too much for anybody to ever tell me otherwise. That’s what’s kept me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I am a full-time student at Morehouse College as a freshman going into my sophomore year. My specialty and the method I’ve built my brand on is screen-printing. I spent my entire summer learning the craft and how to do it in a way that’s conducive for me. One of the things my brand is known for is my usage of neutrals. I built my color palette mainly based off of my personal wardrobe preference.
Something I’d say I’m really proud of is the support and reach we have in the AUC (Morehouse, Clark & Spelman.) No matter what day it is, I can walk around and I always see someone in my brand. That’s a flex that everyone doesn’t have which is too lit.
I think what separates Wise Juve from other brands is the simple fact that we’re not chasing perfection. We’re learning through the imperfections, the mess-ups, the misprints. That’s at raw as it gets.
What makes you happy?
Other people seeing the vision as I do, even in the slightest is where my happiness comes from. It makes me feel like everything I’ve done to make this happen means something.
Contact Info:
- Website: wisejuveniles.com
- Instagram: @wisejuveniles & @datboymarc_
- Other: TikTok; @wisejuveniles & datboymarc_
