Today we’d like to introduce you to Levi Porter.
Hi Levi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Well, at first, it was just a saying from my grandmother that one day I’ll stop wearing other people’s names, and one day I’ll wear my own name. My story is one of those you had to be there to fully understand where this whole lyfestyle comes from. Fast forward to 2019, I was just sitting in my bed thinking of a new business plan for myself and that’s when Luxo Lyfestyle came about. At this point of time, it’s just an idea, nothing written down, no designs, etc., literally just a thought in my head. I didn’t want a clothing line cause it’s so many people in the world with clothing lines.
I saw a post on IG of every major bag designer/company in the world and not one of them looked like myself, that’s when the light bulb went off. I started doing some research on other companies just to see how tough the market was. After weeks of research and sketching designs out, I knew I found my next business. I am big on traveling. I always carry a bookbag everywhere I go as I am a DJ too. Luxo, which is pronounced lus-so, is Portuguese for the word luxury. Luxo is a travel bag/luggage company.
We specialize in everyday backpacks, backpacks for school and travel backpacks that come with a matching duffle bag that is standard carry-on-size for a plane. We also have trolley luggage as well. Luxo got its name based on my personal life growing up. I wasn’t 100% silver-spooned, but I was pretty close. Remember Luxo means “luxury.” growing up, my grandparents had fancy things, and as a kid, I wanted everything they owned. “fancy things” such as
limousine, luxury cars, boats, etc. we were always traveling no matter if it was by plane, car or even RV. At that time, I thought I was living the good life. Luxo “lyfestyle” – the lyfestyle portion to our name is your life, the customer. We want you to feel luxury with these bags in your closets. I get questions about how I got to be where I am today (and it’s really hard for me to think of it in those terms because I don’t feel like I’ve “arrived”. I think I’m still somewhere trying to get my foot in the door). Thinking more deeply about my life journey up to the present moment, I realized that who I am and where I am is not the result of a series of coincidences (I don’t believe in these) nor gilded in good luck, nor is it even the well-earned product of raw, hard work. It’s flow. When life calls, I answer!!!!!
I take my time with everything I do, every design, and every individual I work with. I haven’t gotten far, but I’m not where I started. With the help of friends and my mother, with their opinions and sometimes ideas I was able to launch my company and get us coast to coast within the first six months. Everything you see product design-wise is all me “levi porter.” I take pride and seeing people with my bags on; it really puts a warm feeling in my heart to know that some people actually believe in me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. Besides this being an expansive line of business to get into, the only major issue we have come across is just the production time. Finding a vendor to mass produce our designs was kinda easy due to the internet. Covid put a major halt on business, so we couldn’t do anything for months. Since our products are made of real 100% leather, it roughly could take up to 45 days for a minimal order to be filled. Getting the name out at first was hard because we didn’t have a product to sell, but once the production finished, everything started to come together real quick with the help of my brand analysis.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a musician, that’s my speciality. I currently know four different instruments, trumpet, baritone, piano, and guitar. I also know how to compose/arrange music as well. I started out playing trumpet in 4th grade, moved to baritone in 7th grade. I marched in the band in high school. I taught myself how to play piano & guitar, which taught me how to compose music as well my junior and senior years. I marched baritone in college on scholarship for four years, but within that first year at college, I wanted to learn a new musical trade. That trade was becoming a deejay. I’ve currently been a Dj for ten years now and honestly it has been the best time of my life. People know me as a Dj, not a designer but that’s why both of my businesses are good for each other.
I am a tour Dj, currently working with an artist signed to “QC” quality control records. I’ve done performances with living legends, seeing crowds big as 75,000 people. My most proudest moment was seeing my grandfather see me, Dj, on a big stage like you have to understand my vision for my life & his vision were completely different. as a Dj, I specialize in being on a stage. It’s just something about looking out to see people all under your control. As a Dj, I’ve met every goal possible except going international. I’ve done clubs, private, corporate, radio, and tour events. I even have a master’s in music business. Music is my life; hence my music brand “2 official lifestyle music” 2official is my Dj name and lifestyle is my life.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My mother deserves credit because I call her about everything “Literally EVERYTHING” Any business decisions I call her just to get her opinion, even though I have the final say on anything I decide to do. It’s still nice to have her input. I have friends who give their opinion, or even through ideas at me that I might take into consideration. Some friends I might just have a general conversation with and they will bring up my business and give ideas.
I do have two major people who have helped with the development of Luxo. Definitely a mentor, a Fraternity Brother, a DJ as well, Deavin (DJ Deceptacon). When I moved to Atlanta he kinda took me under his wing and showed me a few things, introduce me to the right people. He is the person that I go tell everything to when I’m thinking of something new to do because he’s going to keep it 10000000000% with me. We are going to go over all the pros and cons to the situation or the new adventure at hand.
My brand Analyst Personal deserves a lot of credit as well. Her name is Makayla but I call her “Kay” She really keeps me on track about getting things done and planning ahead for what needs to be done. There has been a lot of things I don’t know about that she has brought to my attention that’s makes a world of difference. All my models deserve credit as they are the face of the brand on the website and social media. The team behind Luxo is very Small, but everyone has their niche plus more, and that makes up for everything else.
Pricing:
- 50-350
Contact Info:
- Email: LuxoLyfe@Gmail.com
- Website: LuxoLyfe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxolyfe/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LuxoLyfe
