Today we’d like to introduce you to Harold Cochran.
Harold, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in a small town in Alabama called Talladega. Shortly after graduating high school, I attended the illustrious Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University where I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and also my Masters in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Fashion Merchandising and Design. I’ve always had a love for fashion since my youth but attending an HBCU really opened my eyes to endless possibilities. Upon graduating, after living in Huntsville, AL two years after, I relocated to Atlanta in need of a change. I had already been blogging on my website, theunclassifiedcool.com, but the move really put a lot into perspective. That’s when the business was formed. Since then, I’ve attended numerous fashion and networking events, where I’ve been able to meet and work with various individuals in the industry which is an honor and blessing. Atlanta really is the city of opportunity.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth ride but it has been worth it. In this industry, if the opportunity isn’t available you can either sit back and wait or create your own. There have been a lot of no’s and a few yes’s but you cannot let it detour you from your purpose or goals. One thing you have to remember is to continue to keep going even if you lack support. The world is so social media-driven and people think your followers, likes, views = success. In some spectrums it may but you can’t allow that to determine the momentum of your success. Each of us have our own journey and our own pace to go along that journey. At times, you want to give up, throw in towel, and just go on about your life but that’s too easy. I have come too far and the fact that I have a strong support system when it comes to my friends and family that would not only be a slap in my face but theirs too. We have to continue to create and work no matter if 1 supports or 1000.
Please tell us about The Unclassified Cool.
My business/company is The Unclassified Cool, LLC. As I stated before, I started off as a lifestyle blogger which I blog about anything in reference to our culture and I also use it as a platform to highlight other creatives. The business started, simply, with a shirt I had made promote my website. I wore it around my friends and to an event and before I knew people were inquiring to buy it. My best friend pushed me to create an LLC to sell them and I’ve been doing so with various merchandise for the last two years. Also, with my education and experience in fashion, I am a style consultant in which I work with clients to find what their personal style is and I help curate looks whether it’s for an event or simply revamping their wardrobe. In the recent year, I created The Black Brunch Club in which we support and promote black-owned restaurants and businesses.
What I’m most proud of is that I got out of my head and created my own business that not only I love but other people love and support as well. What sets me apart is the fact that not only do I want you to be satisfied with the business but I want it to be an experience. Whether you’re buying merchandise, rendering my style consulting services or attending an event, I want each and every individual to feel good about whatever service I provided.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In the next 5-10 years, I definitely see a shift happening especially in the fashion industry. Consumers are shopping online more than ever, and people are on their phones and computers a lot more. The pandemic has caused a lot of changes to already commence. A lot is more digital and virtual. The biggest for me is, I went from attending an event every other day and weekend to none. That was a huge adjustment for me, however, The world is slowly opening back up, but it’s forever changed. Until we can get some way back to normal, we’ll have to figure out creative ways, which everyone has been doing, to be amongst one another. Some companies in the fashion, also, are becoming more inclusive because of the sensitivity of the #blacklivesmatter movement which they should have been doing. Everything that’s going on is just a sign that change has been needing to happen and it’s going to happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theunclassifiedcool.com
- Email: harold@theunclassifiedcool.com
- Instagram: Coolashal
- Twitter: Coolashal
Image Credit:
@Azustudios
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