Today we’d like to introduce you to Johari Johnson.
Hi Johari, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a kid, I always knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. At the age of 13, I remember telling my mother that I never wanted to work for anyone but instead, I wanted to work for myself. As I began to really get to know who I was, I discovered my love for fashion. Clothing and shoes allowed me to express myself. I started off drawing and writing on my clothing. These images and words helped me reflect on what I was going through and reflect on many of the things I believed in. To others, it seemed a little odd but I understood how different it was at the time and that’s when I decided that one day I would have my own clothing line.
In the summer of 2020, I came up with my brand, SELFYSH. In September of 2020, I joined Hustl Print, a program built to help young black boys start and expand their own businesses. From there, SELFYSH went from just an idea to an actual brand. I created my first design, ordered some hoodies and got to work. A few of my family members and friends loved the hoodies and so today I am working on ways to really grow into a full clothing brand that offers a variety of clothing and apparel.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Many of my mentors told me that being an entrepreneur and running your own business would not be easy, and they were right. Being an entrepreneur as a teenager can be tough at times. Having to manage school, extracurricular activities and your own business can be a struggle. Another struggle was the thought that no one would like my designs or ideas. I had to realize that not everyone is going to like what I come up with, but as long as I am comfortable, then that’s what matters most. There are other struggles such as procrastination, not feeling as motivated, and unexpected obstacles that come across too. I had to really tap into my hustlers’ mindset which encouraged me to keep working so I could fulfill my goals. A struggle that comes with all small businesses is brand exposure. Atlanta is filled with clothing brands today, which at times caused me to focus on what other brands were doing instead of staying focused on SELFYSH. A lot of times, people tell me, “Everyone has a clothing line”, but I always remind them that everyone isn’t SELFYSH. This confidence helped me push forward and find new and creative ways to be different.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Our goal is to help change the narrative of the word “Selfish”. Instead of thinking of selfishness in a negative way, I created the clothing brand SELFYSH in order to express a more positive narrative. SELFYSH is a brand that encourages youth and young adults to feel comfortable and confident with their own identity. There are several different reasons people are not as secure with who they are, whether it’s because of social media or depression. I created SELFYSH to help with this problem. Hustl Print helped me with understanding my business and by doing that I discovered a unique way of using clothing to help youth and young adults feel more confident with their identity. With this help, I did some research on colors and the different moods and feelings they can create. SELFYSH then became a brand that uses colors that create positive moods and feelings in order to help customers not only look good but feel good too.
I am most proud of the simple fact that I’ve taken that step into chasing my dream. It’s not easy taking that leap into being an entrepreneur and business owner so I take pride in how I was brave enough to do so. I’m actually doing something I love and although I’m a small business, it still feels good to see people in my clothing and hearing positive reviews. My ultimate goal is to help youth and young adults feel secure with being themselves, not just to sell clothing. Hopefully, the people I impact are able to understand the true meaning of SELFYSH.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
When I think of my childhood, a lot of fun times come to mind. If I was to have to choose my favorite memory, it would have to be me playing football, baseball, and basketball for Ben Hill Recreation Center. From the age of 5 to 12 I was always playing sport. I remember my favorite coach, Coach Westbrook, giving me my nickname “JoJo” and ever since then, that’s what people called me. Ben Hill became my second home in a way. They allowed me to run around and have fun as a kid, which ultimately played a major role in me becoming more comfortable with being myself.
Contact Info:
- Email: selfysh.clothing@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_selfysh_/
https://www.instagram.com/_myname.jo/
