Today we’d like to introduce you to Meeks.
Meeks, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My love and passion for sneakers started in the 1st grade. That was the beginning of my journey to BRÜXE. While most kids my age were collecting toys, I was collecting sneakers. I believe I always had a natural sense of style, especially when it came to sneakers and fashion. As a child, my mom never really dressed me honestly. I think I gravitated towards collecting sneakers because of the stories that were attached to them. For example, I used to study the marketing campaigns of sneaker launches along with the innovative designs of the sneakers growing up and I still do to this day. Focusing on sneakers allowed me to escape and avoid thinking about the fact that my father was not in my life due to his addiction to drugs and being in jail.
Then, I started playing sports and my mother would buy me new sneaker each time a new sports season started. I really only played to get new sneakers haha don’t tell my mother. Even though I ended up being good at sports, they were never my true passion. I remember sitting in class all throughout middle school and high school drawing sneakers instead of taking notes smh. That was my motivation as a young naïve kid; to play sports, make it professionally, and have my own signature shoe.
Fast forward to me winning a state championship in basketball at Wheeler High School, graduating from Georgia State University for undergraduate. Then, attending FIU in Miami for my Master’s Degree in Sports Management. It was there at FIU when I started seriously considering starting my own footwear brand. I was enrolled in an Entrepreneurship course and it changed my life and my entire thought process going forward. I was able to learn how to create a business plan and how to obtain capital to start and run a business. Upon my graduation from FIU, I started working in the Sports Industry. My first sports job with was the Atlanta Sports Council. There, I was able to work on projects for the NCAA Men’s Final Four, Atlanta Sports Awards, Chick-fil-A Bowl, Naismith Awards, and the Super Bowl that will be in Atlanta this upcoming February.
After that, I worked for the Atlanta Dream in Basketball Operations for the 2013 season. Then, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Team Operations for the 2013 Training Camp. Next, I worked for Octagon on the inaugural Ultimate Driving Experience tour where were we unveiled the i8 and i3 across this U.S. in 2014. This, my friends, is that moment in my life when I started putting the plan in motion for BRÜXE.
It was a cold and rainy fall day in 2014 at Citi Field in Queens, NY. I remember this day as if it was yesterday. I literally stood outside in the rain for 16 hours straight. When I arrive back to my hotel, I called my mom frustrated as hell. I explained to her this is not what I envisioned my life to be. My mother then asked me the magic question, “so what do want to do then?” It was at this moment I decided to follow my heart. I told her right then, “I am going to start my own sneaker company!” Honestly, I said it expecting her to tell me to shut up and focus on my current job at the time, but instead, she shocked me by saying, “tell me more.” I was for the first time in my life lost without words, lol. I told her that I don’t have any additional information but give me a week. Immediately after I got off the phone with my mom, I walked to a local corner store in Queens. Bought a drawing book and pencils and I sketched my first sneaker. Mind you, I had zero experience of drawing prior, so I can admit it was not the best drawing. LOL.
In the following months, I ran the idea of starting my own sneaker company to my friends and family members. Some of their reactions honestly shocked me. My family members couldn’t grasp the idea of me starting my own sneaker company. They suggested I just work for an established shoe brand instead. My friends, on the other hand, all encouraged me to start my own company.
In the following months, I spent a lot of late nights researching on starting my own brand and the best ways of being successful. I decided to name my company BRÜXE. BRÜXE is a word I created one night at 4 am searching the Internet for words that meant grinding and I came across bruxism. Bruxism means the grinding of the teeth. I took the root of bruxism and added the silent “E” and the German “Ü” for appearance. The tiger represents me as a person. I chose a tiger over the commonly used lion because I never been one to travel in packs and not becoming a follower. I move at my own pace and create my own journey at all times. In addition, I am strategic like a tiger, where I observe my surroundings before making a move. Lastly, I added 1986, because I feel like I’ve always been a fly guy, lol… but back to my journey…
During my research, I discovered a manufacturing company in NYC. I reached out to them via email and they immediately responded. From there, I flew up to NYC from Atlanta and we discussed making some sample pairs of sneakers for BRÜXE. Now, after that discussion, I felt as though I was on top of the world and I was on the right path of having a successful sneaker company. Then, reality hit me of being an entrepreneur. Production on the initial samples lagged for almost six months. When I did receive my samples, they were not up to the quality I desired.
Therefore, I went back to the drawing board. I started researching companies in Italy. I told myself that I always strived to the best and to never settle, so why would I settle now. I ended up finding a manufacturing company in Italy. They were a lot easier to work with and more professional, which made me instantly feel more confident and I knew I found the right team to help me accomplish my goals.
Working with my team in Italy, turned out to be the best decision for BRÜXE. From the jump, they were able to successfully produce high-quality sneakers and we have worked together ever since. In April of 2018, we officially launched the first Bruxe collection, the ˈmänstər, in two colorways. This was a major accomplishment for BRÜXE, especially when we look back to that initial conversation I had with my mother after that day in Queens.
Looking forward, we are planning to launch our second collection in 2019. The second collection is inspired by my sports background and my time at Wheeler. We are very excited about the future of BRÜXE, as we to continue to grow and making an impact in the footwear industry.
Has it been a smooth road?
Hell, nah shawty! Far from it! Luckily, I faced adversity at a very young age in my life that provided me with the ability to make adjustments when needed. Also, playing sports my entire life allowed me to develop my ability to stay cool under pressure no matter the circumstances. My main struggles early on were with the initial manufacturing company in NYC. They were really unprofessional and produced poor quality work. The second hurdle I faced was with the marketing/social media aspects. People want to see celebs wearing your product and feel the hype behind the brand, but this all comes with due time. I have to always remind myself that this journey is a marathon, not a sprint.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the BRÜXE story. Tell us more about the business.
BRÜXE offers a cross between luxury and comfort with our Italian-crafted sneakers made entirely by hand in Italy. With a commitment to humane and high-quality sourcing, BRÜXE only uses the finest Italian leather and premium materials. We strive to be innovative and push the needle.
I am the Founder and Creative Director for BRÜXE. I handle all of the footwear designs and marketing collateral. I manage our sales team as well across the world.
I am proud that was able to turn my dream into a reality.
What sets BRÜXE apart from other brands is that we do it our way. We “BRÜXE the system” as my friend Kasheef Wyzard would say. BRÜXE is more than a brand, it is a lifestyle. When people think of BRÜXE, I want them to associate the brand with being strong, determined, tenacious and are not afraid to challenge the status quo.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I hope that industry would become a lot less trendy and go back to brands challenging each other more with creativity. For example, one brand came out with the “Dad shoe” and I watched so many other brands design their own version of a “dad shoe.” I do believe that technology will start to play a larger part in the footwear industry and I am excited to see how new technology over the years will help innovative the industry.
Pricing:
- Currently available for $695 USD is the monster in red and blue colorways. Each shoe offers suede, blue Italian calf leather low top luxury men’s sneaker with BRÜXE embossed tongue, leather laces. Patent leather magnetic wide strap upper. and rubber sole. Handcrafted in Italy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bruxefootwear.com
- Email: meeks@bruxeatlanta.com
- Instagram: bruxefootwear
Image Credit:
Jasmine Mitchell
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