Today we’d like to introduce you to Rey Grandoit. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Rey Grandoit born and raised in Boston, MA from an immigrant family from Haiti. Despite growing up in the inner-city Rey found the courage after getting paralyzed from bacterial meningitis at the tender age of 14. He found the inspiration from his family and friends to graduate college from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship. Also writing a memoir, “My Legs Maybe Paralyzed But My Isn’t”. Winning countless awards for impacting individuals through mentoring, outreach community work, and simply by being GRAND! Rey loves to see people live and succeed in their gifts and leave a legacy of doing the impossible, everything grand!
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?
This drastic life change gave the young Rey a new outlook on life, it gave me purpose and determination not only to help myself but help others as I always did prior to being paralyzed. At age 16, I became a part of the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship, which caters to teaching high school students entrepreneurship. Already having an entrepreneurial spirit, NFTE provided the eureka moment to endless possibilities that being an entrepreneur had to offer. I began selling inspirational shirts to his classmates in his high school and providing them with custom apparel for school events. This is what led me to starting my first official business, Ray Grand Apparel. Now, The inspirational merchandise, Own Your Inspiration which provides students with visual reminders of positive messages and uplifting messages, which can reignite their motivation and inspire them to keep going despite challenges. The celebration of life and overcoming adversity expressed through clothing. Being disabled and being able to still prosper gives hope to others with disabilities and students. I became a voice for them through my actions and results.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Inspiring students to celebrate life and their abilities, while overcoming adversities through speaking and inspirational fashion.
Empowering Mindset: Our t-shirts are designed to foster a positive and empowering mindset among students. With uplifting messages and motivational messages, they serve as daily reminders to stay focused, resilient, and confident in the face of adversity.
Self-Expression and Identity: Our t-shirts allow students to express their values, aspirations, and personal identity through inspirational messages. By wearing them, students can showcase their positive outlook on life and inspire others around them.
Community and Connection: Our t-shirts create a sense of community and connection among students. When they wear our inspirational designs, they become part of a supportive network of like-minded individuals who share a commitment to personal growth and positivity.
In summary, our inspirational t-shirts offer students the chance to embrace a positive mindset, express their individuality, connect with a supportive community, receive encouragement, inspire others, and enjoy high-quality, stylish apparel.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Perseverance has been the most important characteristic to my success. I believe it cultivated endurance throughout the process to keep going and growing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shop.ownyourinspiration.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ownyourinspiration/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ownyourinspiration12
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/own-your-inspiration/about/?viewAsMember=true
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OwnYourInspiration
Image Credits
– Melanie Grandoit -Danielle Newman -Alex Oshifodunrin
