Meet Chaz Pope | Owner of God Is From

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chaz Pope and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chaz, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I thought it would really be cool to make my own t-shirts, so after I researched on how to make this happen I purchased screen printing equipment and read books on how to produce t-shirts through this process and taught myself how to do it. I was laser focused on learning how to screen print and I loved it. I stopped trying to sell my own creations because I made more money producing for other companies until one night I came up with God Is From. It just felt like a hit, and that’s when everything changed.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m not an artist in the style of painting or drawing, but I am definitely creative. It’s simply the uniqueness of the shirt that sets it apart and it always catches a person’s attention. I wanted to give people the ability to customize their shirt, and this automatically gave the product more instant appeal. People always read t-shirts and generally will comment when they like what it says. I still get excited when I get compliments about my shirt, or the surprise of when I think someone is staring at me and then I realize that it’s the shirt that has their attention. I’m also proud to know that I physically made all of the shirts that I have seen people wear throughout the years, those shirts went from my creative hands to them. I find that to be pretty awesome! 

It wasn’t easy, but I really enjoyed the production, the day-to-day business, and the learning obstacles that starting a business can bring. My greatest strength was patience, I understood that this was something that deserved time to flourish and that I had created a timeless piece that any generation could feel a connection with. I want the world to know that God is everywhere and since God is everywhere, then The Most High must be from where I’m from. We the people represent everywhere on God’s green Earth. Believe in God. Believe in yourself.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely take them on the PCH for those great coastline views of California. Roll out to Boyle Heights for some Carnitas El Momo’s Mexican food. Next food spot would be at the Guatemalan Night Market on 6th and Bonnie Brae. Food vendors are on every block and the delicious flavors just dance on your tongue. We would travel to Crenshaw Square for some family owned Earle’s Hot Dogs. Eat up some of the best Filipino skewers from the Dollar Hits restaurant and end off at Los Angeles fashion district. That’s my favorite spot in LA and always something interesting to see.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
SHOUT OUT first goes to GOD for giving me talent, drive, balance, peace and the determination to go as far as I want to go in life by believing that anything is possible. 

SHOUT OUT to the city of Atlanta for all the support and great feedback! Atlanta is where the groundwork began after the idea came to me. All the outdoor festivals and events that are held throughout the year gave me a chance to see what the people thought and if they were feeling the product. It was a great response and the people really loved that the shirt was an immediate conversation piece. 

SHOUT OUT to Big Tigger, Ryan Cameron, and Greg Street. These brothers supported what I was doing, posting on their social media accounts, wearing the shirts at V103 The People’s Station events, allowed me do God Is From pop up shops at the events, and they would even give the customized shirts to their celebrity friends who also would showcase and shout out God Is From on their social media platforms. 

Big Tigger constantly showcased God Is From and he absolutely deserves recognition and credit for what he contributed. Because of this connection, Kandi Burrus-Tucker wore her (GOD IS FROM ATLANTA) shirt on Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta, LL Cool J wore his (GOD IS FROM FARMERS AVE) shirt on VH1 Lip Sync Battle, A.J. Johnson wore her (GOD IS FROM NEW JERSEY) shirt on BET’s Lift Every Voice and Ludacris wore his (GOD IS FROM COLLEGE PARK) shirt in a music video. I can’t describe the joy I felt when I saw my shirt on television! 

SHOUT OUT to Shante Paige, Carlton Mackey @blackmensmile, Ross Oscar Knight, Don Juan, Montana Humphries, Ms Hair and Humor, Shay McCray, and my final shout out goes to GRIFF (2 Trillion) for bringing me backstage for a week of filming on BET’s Sunday Best introducing me to upcoming talent and allow me to promote God Is From. Look these names up and support their endeavors, these are really good folk, I love what they’re doing, and I truly appreciate them for supporting God Is From, straight up Black Excellence!!!

Website: www.godisfrom.com

Instagram: godisfrom

Twitter: @godisfrom

Image Credits
Ross Oscar Knight