Meet Sir Gates of Lifer Society in East Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sir Gates.

Sir, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Born and raised in Decatur, Ga, as a kid, I had to grow up and take on responsibilities a litter earlier than most. In my household, my siblings and I were taught to hustle and survive. I’ve been working since the age of 13. Rather it was odd jobs with my father, cutting grass or just knocking on people’s doors in the neighborhood with my friends looking for work just to make some cash. My first official job was working at Burger King in Stonecrest mall once it first opened. As soon as I was able to get a work permit, I was eager to get a job so that I could maintain cash flow. I would go to school and as soon as school was over, I would go home change clothes and hop on the Marta bus, head to Indian creek train station, take the 111 to Stonecrest and get to work. I’d get home at 10 or 11 pm and then, back to school the next morning to do it all over again. Ever since then, I’ve always maintained a way to make money so that I could survive and help out around the house being apart of a family of six. I graduated high school and off to college I went. I never liked school at all! I couldn’t wait until I was out of high school, but I went off to college because that was just the tradition. Graduate and go to college.

My freshmen year was a success, but shortly after, the hate I had for school kicked back in. I had to itch to make money so as soon as the campus opened up the new student union with fast-food restaurants I immediately applied for a job at Einstein bagels. Sophomore year second semester is when my effort started declining. I ended up on academic probation due to my grades. Summer school rolled around and I did ok but somehow ended up on financial aid probation. I had to sit out for a semester waiting for an appeal to get back in school. I could have left then and gone home but I didn’t want to disappoint my parents. So, I stayed on campus in my girlfriend room while I was suspended. Still working at Einstein’s, I ended up also working at every other restaurant on campus. My boss saw my work ethic and cross-trained me at Pizza Hut, subway, and chick-fi-la. Yes, I worked all those jobs at the same time. I even worked serving food at the student cafeteria. Fall semester rolled around and I was able to get back in school only to end right back on suspension. I’ve had enough. I finally left school and went back home to Decatur summer of 2014. I ended up working at Deals dollar store for the summer. That job was horrible so I quit. I then got a job at Hartsfield Jackson airport. The workload was a beast lifting and throwing luggage all day and often the graveyard shift all while getting paid $7.25 an hour. Once November hit, I was fed up. I felt as if I hit rock bottom. The only option I had was to find another job or make a drastic decision. I walked into a recruiters office for the U.S. Army and inquired about joining. While I was deciding, I had to think about what I would have to sacrifice and leave behind.

In college, I met my right-hand man Sensei Kyh. After I found out, we both made music since we were kids we linked ever since then. We had started a music group called iNFAMIS and a label called Boss Club Dynasty. Leaving behind my girlfriend, my family and music career was a tough decision to make, but I knew sacrifice had to be made. I went back to the recruiter and signed up. December 31, 2014, I found myself on a bus headed to Fort Jackson in South California for basic training. That was the best but worst decision of my life! Nevertheless, I made it through. After serving three years, I came home and it was back to business. I had to figure out my next step in life. I was a hustler by nature so it was time to make money. While suspended in college, I used to pretend that I was enrolled so that I could host a radio show that I and Sensei created called iNFAMIS Radio. The school had a computer lab that we called the Mac Lab. It was literally full of Mac computer. The first day I have seen it, I fell in love. I used to sneak in and work on a program called Final Cut Pro. We were able to sign out cameras in the mass communication department so Sensi and I would always get one so that we could make footage and shoot videos to our music. I started shooting footage so that I could edit it in the Mac Lab.

Ever since then, creating digital content became second nature to me. Post army, I picked the camera back up. Shooting music video for local artist is how a made extra cash. Sometimes, I would even shoot them for free just so that I could practice my craft. So, that’s what I did, I created content. Things were going steady for a while but nothing was really falling in place. I did that for two years and 2018 rolled around. I vowed to myself that I will never work a 9-5 again and there on out, it was 100% entrepreneurship. Towards the end of the year, it was time for some fresh. A new brand. I had many conversations with Sensei about ideas and he was on board. December 2018 The Lifer Society was birthed. We officially launched the brand mid-January 2019. Since then, it’s been nothing but hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. I created a small collection of Lifer Merch, which did ok. After that, came Lifer House Podcast and other content put out under the brand. It still wasn’t enough, so I started another business to add as another asset. That is how The Branded Co. Apparel was created. Since the creation, I’ve made custom Apparel for a various independent brand and secured a spot as a certified vendor for Dekalb County public schools. Dekalb raised me now they pay me! My whole goal is just to reach a level of success so that I can put the people I love and the ones around me in a position to succeed. I want to break generational curses. The sky is the limit. I just want to motivate anyone who is close to me, to have faith and go after your dreams. Lifer Society slogan is “Defeat Tomorrow”. We never know what tomorrow may hold but no matter what we can’t fold. We can’t let life punch is in the mouth and not fight back every day. As long as we wake up another day, we can hustle another day. We just have to stay focused, ignore judgment and go get it! So that is how I became the man and entrepreneur I am today. My journey hasn’t been smooth but I’ll never quit. I am a leader and motivator and have a job to mission while I am still on this earth.

Has it been a smooth road?
The road hasn’t been smooth. Dropping out of college, working many jobs, having to commute in busted cars were all struggles for me. All while dealing with personal life issues. Post army, I was diagnosed with depression, I suffered over 8 injuries that I still deal with to this day. Bilateral labrum tears, bilateral hip impingements, authorities from my neck down to my lower back, spinalosis (spell check) in my neck, l5 disk bulging… the list goes on but every day, I hustle while I’m chronic pain. I don’t know what it feels like to not be in pain. On top of that, I was in a fatal car accident on October 23, 2018, but by the grace of God, I was able to walk away.

We’d love to hear more about your brand.
Lifer Society is a lifestyle brand. Its purpose is to motivate entrepreneurs and anyone on the grind around the world. The slogan is “Defeat Tomorrow” meaning, we never know what tomorrow may hold but no matter what we can’t fold. I’m also known for making custom Apparel for various brands and the public school system. I am most proud of the motivation that Lifer Society instills in the ones around me. I get told all the time that I am looked up to and helps motivate the grind. What sets me apart from others is my authenticity and leadership. I always put others before me no matter what. If someone is in need, I am there for them, no questions ask. If there is an issue, I am usually able to solve the problem. My skill sets vary in many ways. Something like a new age renaissance man.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, I feel our city is a great place for businesses like mine. Atlanta is the black Mecca, the black Hollywood. We are at the heart of creation and creators. Especially for entrepreneurship, the opportunities are limitless. I would recommend someone to start here but I would also tell them to be prepared to work. The talent here is crazy!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thelifersociety.com
• Instagram: LiferSociety
• Facebook: LiferSociety
• Twitter: LiferSociety

Image Credit:
Codak Chris, Alec Robertson StrayAways

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