I’ve been an entrepreneur for as long as I can remember — but it all started with a conversation and a pair of sneakers.
Back in middle school, my cousins and I started a small business called Grasp Shoes after talking with my older cousin about ways to make money. The name “Grasp” came from a combination of our last names — and the idea that we wanted to grasp more shoes than we could afford.
We cleaned, restored, and customized sneakers for classmates, family, and friends. It was art. It was fun. But it was also time-consuming — especially for middle schoolers balancing homework and hoop dreams.
Even though the shoe business faded, the spark stayed.
Finding My Creative Side
While I was learning business the hard way, I was also learning design the creative way.
I paid attention in art class, signed up for summer camps, and built early skills in Photoshop, video and music production, and Microsoft programs.
Those creative foundations became the start of something much bigger.
By high school, I was designing and making clothes for myself and others — from dance team shirts to soccer sweatpants. I set up my own heat press and vinyl cutter and began customizing apparel right out of my bedroom.
When I got to college, space was tight, and I didn’t have room to bring my entire setup — so I took a break from customization. But that break didn’t last long.
The Spark Returns
When I joined The Gamma Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., my creativity came back stronger than ever. I designed our probate outfits, and that moment reminded me why I loved creating.
I realized something — there were tons of companies making shirts and jackets, but no one was doing something different. At Greek events, everyone had their letters, but something subtle stood out to me: sunglasses.
Everywhere I looked, people were wearing shades — but nobody was making Greek paraphernalia sunglasses.
That’s when I decided to start 3o7 Premium Eyewear.
At first, that was the brand — clean, high-quality eyewear designed to represent your letters in style. But as I grew, I wanted something broader. I wanted a name that could cover apparel, accessories, and merchandise all under one brand.
That’s how 3o7 Apparel & Merchandise — or 3o7am — was born.
The Meaning Behind “3o7am”
The name 3o7am has a deeper meaning than just branding.
It represents Room 307D, the dorm room where I lived during my freshman year of college — a space that became my creative lab and the foundation for everything that came next.
The “am” stands for Apparel & Merchandise, representing new beginnings, late-night creativity, and the early hours when ideas turned into reality.
3o7am was built to solve a simple problem: I couldn’t find clothes that matched my unique style and pride in my organization.
Most Greek apparel looked the same — but I wanted something versatile enough to wear to conferences, classes, or nightlife events without losing the meaning behind it.
So I created it myself.
What 3o7am Stands For
At 3o7am, the goal is to bridge the gap between professional and casual wear — creating apparel that blends confidence, culture, and creativity.
We design for members of the Divine 9 who take pride in their letters but also in their personal style. From handcrafted sunglasses and vintage t-shirts to custom bomber jackets, jerseys, and hoodies, every item represents quality, uniqueness, and individuality.
Our customers aren’t just buyers — they’re family. We even introduced a rewards program to thank those who share our mission and refer their friends.
Turning Creativity Into Recognition
What started as an idea quickly turned into a series of wins.
I began entering pitch competitions to share the vision behind 3o7am, and the response was incredible.
The brand placed Top 3 in every competition I entered — including being recognized twice as a Third Place Winner in the PNC HBCU Pitch Competition, and a Semifinalist in the Better Futures Pitch Competition.
📸 [Insert photo of trophies here]
You can read the official PNC press article highlighting 3o7am’s recognition here:
🔗 PNC Recognizes Student Entrepreneur Winners of 2024 PNC North Carolina HBCU Pitch Competition
That same year, I was also selected as a Finalist in the HBCU Founders Initiative Pitch Accelerator Program — an opportunity that included weekly business mentorship sessions, training calls, and a free trip to Washington, D.C., where I attended the final showcase.
🔗 Read more about the 2024 HBCU Founders Initiative Year in Review
Through these programs, I learned how to refine my pitch, structure my business model, and elevate my brand strategy. It wasn’t just about winning — it was about growing.
Designing Beyond Letters
Even after graduating, I kept designing — for my fraternity brothers, family, and local schools.
From custom towels to sweatshirts, jackets, and posters, I built my portfolio one order at a time.
Each project became an extension of what 3o7 represents: a lifestyle built on hustle, creativity, and purpose.
Now, as 3o7 Apparel & Merchandise continues to grow, my focus is expansion — creating new collections and collaborations that reflect both my story and the people who’ve supported it.
Because I know there are many people waiting for the next 3o7 drop — not just for the products, but for the meaning behind them.
What’s Next
The next chapter for 3o7am is growth — partnering with brands, expanding designs, and continuing to inspire the next generation of creators.
Every shirt, every design, and every idea comes from that same passion that started with Grasp Shoes — a belief that with creativity, hard work, and vision, you can build something lasting.