Meet Dwayne Joseph | Owner and C.E.O.

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

Hi Dwayne, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I initially launched STOS Brand Apparel 13 years ago. At that time, STOS stood for So Tired Of Struggling, because that’s what was happening at that time. My wife and I were new parents, our careers hadn’t taken off yet, we had bills, rent, groceries to buy, etc. The struggle was real, so I decided to launch the t-shirt brand. At that time, our designs were skulls and roses and thorns. Basically I was mimicking the styles of Afflicted and Ed Hardy brands, so STOS really didn’t have a true identity. I decided to let the brand go after a year and focus on my 9 to 5 career. But STOS stuck around like an itch that wouldn’t go away, and here we are with STOS Brand Apparel having been relaunched 13 years later, only this time STOS has a true meaning. Some Talk Others Show for our fitness apparel and Smart Talented Outgoing Strong for our kids apparel. The STOS philosophy is something I fully believe in. It doesn’t matter what you are doing in life. If you have a goal, you can’t accomplish that goal by talking about it. You have to show and prove. Every successful person in the world lives the STOS credo. I wanted that credo to be represented in our fitness apparel. For our kids apparel, I really wanted the kids to not only walk around in great gear with cool, stylish designs, but I wanted them to walk around and be positively affirmed as well. Smart Talented Outgoing Strong. This is what we believe our future leaders of the world are. I want them to know and feel it! This is what STOS is. This is what it represents. STOS is about grinding and working to achieve your dreams-any dream no matter how big or small. A call to action if you will. It’s also about the youth and showcasing and reinforcing how special they are in the coolest gear out there!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Besides launching STOS Brand Apparel and working on all aspects of the business, I was also a published author . Writing was always a dream goal of mine and I was fortunate enough to have had that dream become reality 21 years ago. Not only was I writing, but I was working 9 to 5 as well. I had to learn how to balance my work career, fulfill my publishing contracts, and be a present husband and father as well. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was always living the STOS philosophy. I didn’t just talk about wanting to become a published author, but I went after making that dream happen. I am no longer writing novels, but the STOS mentality is ever present in my every day life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Being new to Georgia, my wife and I are still discovering all that the state and cities have to offer. But when my friends or family do come, we definitely make sure to take them to the beautiful parks to enjoy hiking and nature for some daytime fun. As far as food goes, from Caribbean to Asian to Mexican and more, there are so many great spots to take them to for great cuisine, that it’s hard to pick a favorite. For an evening out, there are lounges or clubs, etc for chilling or dancing the night away.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to shoutout my family for believing and going along for the ride in this journey!

Website: www.stos-brand-apparel.com

Instagram: stosbrandapparel

Facebook: STOS ApparelBrand

Youtube: stosbrandapparel