Meet Juwan Harris | Clothing Designer

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

Hi Juwan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my business was that I always had style my mom and my dad had style. I always knew how to dress but was never popular enough to win best dressed. My biggest thing was learning how to stand out. In school every year I would pick what brand to wear for the whole year and I was going to get as much Polo or Nike as I could for the year but as years went by I ran out of brands so when I got to college I said to myself, “what can I make that’s as versatile as me when it comes to style and fashion.” Me personally I can blend in and adjust to any setting whether it be the trenches in Atlanta or a Fortune 500 company I can adapt and that was something I wanted my brand to have as well. So after I dropped out of college that whole summer I locked myself in my room and taught myself how to start a clothing line, how to create a logo, how to get shirts made, etc and I learned. It took maybe 6 months before I was confident about my logo but once I saw it I knew it was the one. I made a lot of mistakes along the way for example my first release I didn’t even have a “add to cart” option on my website so I sold nothing the first month I came out. All of the trial and error I went through being an entrepreneur I wouldn’t take back because I’m wiser and grateful for going through what I went through to get to this point.Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have a career in the digital media industry as a Master Control Operator for ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, and Accuweather. I’m most proud and excited about the journey that got me here. I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Year Up Greater Atlanta where their purpose is to provide opportunities for underprivileged urban young adults. The lessons I learned about professionalism, class, corporate culture, and overall experiences that I had shaped me into the man I am today. Before Year Up I was headed down the wrong path trying to do everything on my own worrying about proving doubters wrong but I ended up being in situations that put my freedom and life in jeopardy. I also was expecting a set of twins working a factory job. I always felt like I was never going to get ahead. Unfortunately I lost both of my babies prematurely and I was hurt because it didn’t make sense to me but it motivated me to put myself in a better position in life. My mom text me and asked me to come to a graduation at the school she was working at called Year Up and she spoke so highly of it that I thought why not attend. At hindsight going to that graduation was all that I needed to see. That’s where I needed to be. That whole period of time I was making it off of $250 every two week stipend. I rode the train and the bus together for 2 years straight from Clayton County to Midtown then to Buckhead then to Doraville. It would be times where it all I had time to do was come home eat and sleep then right back up at 5 to catch the first bus. I never stopped grinding and believing in myself, my brand, and my plan I want people to know that about my story. I started back in 2013 and have been consistently producing original products every year. The lessons I learned from it is that you can’t please everybody, your best is enough, your support doesn’t always have to come from your friends and family, and don’t be afraid to March to the beat of your own drum.Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well I love everything about Atlanta rather it be the various rooftop bars or the millions of wing spots around the city but if my best friend came to town we would first go to State Farm arena to see the Hawks, ride through Buckhead go to the Shops at Buckhead to see a more luxury side of Atlanta. Centennial Park is always a good place to go no matter when. Skyline Park or Skylounge at Ponce either one is fine then we can stop by the Porsche Experience, head down to Clayton County to Wings R Us (Best wings in Atlanta) and that sound like a trip to me.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a special shout-out to my mother. She is my sole inspiration for what I do. I got my style from her, my intelligence, the way I carry myself, and the way I hustle from her. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for her.

Website: toplifeclothing.bigcartel.com

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/toplifeworld

Linkedin: www.Instagram.com/toplifeclothing

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/toplifeworld

Facebook: www.facebook.com/toplifeclothing

Yelp: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028831160115