Story & Lesson Highlights with Archie Clay III of Atlanta

We recently had the chance to connect with Archie Clay III and have shared our conversation below.

Archie, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Spending time with my wife, my family, and training in Muay Thai — these are the three things that allow me to feel free. They give me space to laugh, grow, and be surrounded by people who genuinely love me. It’s how I recharge and refocus so I can pour everything back into building this business.

I truly believe that in order to build a multi-million-dollar brand, you need all the love and support you can get. But let’s be real — even when things look like they’re going right, it’s never easy. That’s why it’s so important to have things in your life that help you mentally reset. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey everyone! For those who may not know me — I’m Archie Clay III, Founder and CEO of Brain Love, a fashion brand rooted in mental wellness, personal evolution, and self-love.

At Brain Love, we believe fashion can be more than just style — it can be a powerful vehicle for change. Our mission is to shift the narrative around mental health in our community by creating space for connection, alignment, and healing. We’re building a positive, purpose-driven community of individuals who believe that growth starts from within — and that evolution is a daily practice.

I’m proud to officially share that as of July 12th, Brain Love has launched at Bloomingdale’s — specifically at the iconic Lenox Mall location in Atlanta. This is a major milestone for us — not only because we accomplished it in under two years, but also because we sold through over 95% of our collection within hours of launching.

This moment is bigger than fashion — it’s about representation, resilience, and reminding people that your evolution starts with you.

Thank you to our incredible community for believing in our mission and fueling this movement. This is just the beginning.

Your evolution starts with you.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Man, I think this is such a powerful question — Who was I before the world told me who I had to be?

Truth is, I’m still that same person.

See, the world tries to tell us that being emotional or vulnerable is a weakness. But my mother taught me early on that my confidence is rooted in who I am, and that it’s okay — even powerful — to hold my emotions close to my heart. I’ll always be grateful for the wisdom she gave me, because it allowed me to move through life unapologetically myself.

You can ask my friends — I’ve always been that way. Always authentic. Always real. Especially in a time where so many people are afraid to be themselves.

Social media has made it harder than ever to show up as your full self. But I’m here to say this: the most successful people — the ones who make real impact — are those who come as they are. It might take a little longer to get where you’re going, but I truly believe that kind of energy leaves a deeper mark and inspires more people along the way.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
After my business partner and I parted ways from my first company, I was really fighting to hold on to what we had built. At the time, I thought I had to save it. But eventually, I realized that continuing to fight for it would cost me more than it was worth — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. And honestly, that realization broke my heart.

Before the idea of Brain Love ever came to me, I was this close to giving up altogether. I was ready to walk away from entrepreneurship and just go get a job — and if I’m being real, even the thought of that made me sick. I had nothing to go to. No Wear Brims. No next idea. No clear direction. And that scared me.

But God — God had the final word. Right before I was ready to quit, He gave me a vision. That vision was Brain Love. And while that moment didn’t erase the pain or uncertainty, it recharged me. It reminded me that my journey wasn’t over — that I still had more to give.

I’m still figuring it out every day. But I know now that setbacks don’t define the end. Sometimes, they’re just the pause before your purpose becomes clear.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would tell you that what matters most to me is the love and support from my family and friends. That’s who I am before anything — before the titles, the business, the brand. Without them, I’m nothing.

They are my foundation. The ones who remind me of my purpose when I forget, who lift me up when I’m low, and who celebrate me even in the smallest wins. Their love keeps me grounded, and their belief in me is what inspires me to chase greatness every single day.

At the end of the day, success means nothing if you don’t have real people to share it with. That’s why I value those relationships more than anything — because they’re the fuel behind everything I do.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I want people to say that I was an inspiration — not just because of what I built, but because I never gave up on who I was, even when life tried to break me. I want my story to remind people that it’s okay to fall, to question, to hurt — but it’s not okay to quit on yourself.

I hope people say I stood for something greater than success. That I led with heart. That I built brands with purpose, but more importantly, I built people up through love, honesty, and truth. That even when the odds were stacked against me, I kept going — not for the spotlight, but because I believed in something real.

I want the things I created — Brain Love, the message, the community, the impact — to live on as proof that vulnerability is strength, that mental wellness matters, and that when you truly know who you are, you can help others remember who they are too.

I hope people say my life made them want to dream louder, love harder, and never fold — because they saw me do it with everything I had.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brainlove.store
• Instagram: Brainlove_official
• Linkedin: Brain Love
• Facebook: Brain Love
• Youtube: Brain Love