Meet Teryn Simmons: Founder & Creator of Top Twelve Clothing

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

Hi Teryn, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started Top Twelve Clothing with the intentions of creating a brand that would inspire. I wanted to make clothing that evoked a sense of self confidence, self expression, and self love in whoever was wearing it. A brand that not only represented creativity, individuality, style, and innovation, but a LIFESTYLE. I knew that the ability to accomplish this ,while also creating, was something that was very possible and something that truly brought my heart joy. So, I decided to focus more on my passion. Life’s too short to not go after what makes you happy. I set out to create another stream of income to supplement my then 9-5 and ultimately to create a legacy that I can pass down to my family as well.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Top Twelve is a lifestyle clothing brand that offers quality, customized apparel that we like to call “STATEMENT APPAREL”. The brand’s edgy styles, custom art designs, and culturally conscious subject matters is what sets us apart from other clothing brands , Top Twelve Clothing is clothing by the Culture for the Culture. Our clothing promotes self expression, self confidence and self love. Our goal is to uplift and inspire through the art of fashion. Yes, fashion is art. Like the saying goes, “When you look good, You feel good.” .And that’s what we’re all about, making clothing that people feel their best in and are proud to wear. Top Twelve has a lot instore for the Summer and Fall seasons and we are so excited about the future and what’s to come .

With that being said, it definitely wasn’t easy getting the brand to where it is today. It took a lot of long days and long nights, hard work, perseverance and motivation. Motivation is key. Without some form of motivation, your “Why?”, the reason why you’re doing what you’re doing, you may not have that special place to go to gather that additional strength you may need to push through when you’re feeling like giving up or when things get hard . For every success story there’s a hundred stories of failure that you don’t hear about. You have to be driven and disciplined enough to believe in the not yet seen , push through and have faith that you will eventually yield the fruits of your labor. You have to believe in your product, believe in your brand and most importantly believe in yourself. From there, the sky is the limit.

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?
One of the things I love most about the city of Atlanta is the scenery ! Atlanta is such a beautiful city! There are so many hidden gems in Atlanta that have great vibes and awesome views of the city . So, we can start off by stopping by the Old 4th Ward. Maybe walk the beltline and take advantage of a little street art. Or head over to Krog Street and the Krog street Market for some Richard’s Southern Fried Chicken. We can swing by 6 Feet Under, which has an great seafood menu and roof top with beautiful views of mid-town. The next day, we can go to the Sky View Ferris Wheel down town to catch a 360 degree view of the entire city. We can spend some time on The Roof at Ponce City Market, play some miniature golf, ride some rides and grab some food. Or grab some drinks from The Wet Bar and hangout poolside at the W Downtown. Next, we’ve got to grab some food from Mr. Everything’s in the Westend then we can have a picnic and people watch at Piedmont Park . And finally, to end the trip, due to all of the food we’ve eaten, we can take a hike up Stone Mountain and enjoy the awesome views of the Atlanta once we’ve reached the top. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to a shoutout and thank any and everyone who ever supported Top Twelve Clothing. Whether it was from the brand’s conception back in 2014/2015, when Top Twelve was nothing but a bunch of notes scribbled down on a notepad or if you have just recently become a supporter . Whether you supported by purchasing a t-shirt or hoodie or with words of encouragement or wisdom. I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I also wanted to recognize the constant love and support that I receive from my friends, family and sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. They are my rock and without them I probably would have given up on this dream a long time ago. And last, but definitely not least, I would like to thank God. The entrepreneurial life isn’t for the faint of heart. I depend on God for my strength and guidance. Without his grace and favor, there would be no Top Twelve Clothing.

Website: www.toptwelveclothing.com

Instagram: @toptwelveclothing

Twitter: @top12clothing