Today we’d like to introduce you to Olajuwon Ajanaku.
Olajuwon, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have been playing golf since I was six years old. I played junior golf, high school golf, and college golf. Growing up, golf was truly a sport that raised me. It taught me morals and values that I didn’t learn playing basketball or other sports. The relationships that I built on the golf course truly have helped me in learning networking skills and true business etiquette skills. I end up having to quit professional golf at 24, where I began a corporate career.
I am now a Regional Manager for a bank. I got home one day and asked myself was this it, is this all I will do for the rest of my life, how can I make my way back to golf? I thought of just branding myself and making a logo that represented me and a message of I can look however I want and anybody else can and play golf. Then I am from East Atlanta and that is where the name Eastside Golf came from.
I then showed my logo to friends and one said: “if you put that on a shirt, I’d buy it.” So I felt like it was a good idea and pushed forward. One thing led to another, I have come up with different designs for pants, polos, pullovers, hats and other accessories. I’ve also always had an eye for fashion being a model in my early twenties.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Its been a fun road. I’m learning more about the backend of a clothing business and the design piece. The business has been growing organically and that is the best part about all this. But spreading the word is the toughest part about this so far but attending the PGA Merchandise Show showed us that this brand is contagious and definitely will spread organically through the right influencers.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Eastside Golf – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Eastside golf is a lifestyle golf brand developed to raise awareness about golf among youth and non golfers. We want to inspire the culture, promote diversity and continue to be authentic. We sell a lifestyle brand that promotes inclusion in everything we do. We are known for selling a brand that will stand out in a crowd and begin the conversation of why are there not enough people of color in golf or getting a person to say, “maybe I want to try golf.” Our company is set apart because we will promote the game of golf from a cultural standpoint and have fun with it.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We want to one day be a brand that is sold at The 2020 Rocket Mortgage Classic, sold by StockX, two flagship stores in Atlanta and Detroit. We are looking to collaborate with a couple of other brands this year and also working on the women’s line. Also, Eastside Golf will be featured on the Korn Ferry Tour this year along with a new golf show on Golf Channel.
Pricing:
- $80 – Sweatshirt
- $40 – shirt
- $40 – white or black hat
- $12 ball marker/magnet lapel
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eastsidegolfclub.com
- Email: olajuwon@eastsidegolfclub.com
- Instagram: @eastsidegolf
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EastsideGolf/
- Twitter: @eastsidegolf6
- Other: https://youtu.be/ZSFAT8JLJvc
Image Credit:
Pictures by Justin Milhouse – Detroit.
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