We were lucky to catch up with Rob NorthSide recently and have shared our conversation below.
Rob, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from having faith that all things will work themselves out. Believing that whatever it is I may be going through, it’s for a purpose! I’ve faced many challenges, problems and hard times in my life, from living in a crime ridden neighborhood, to witnessing a friend being murdered at 10, to an abusive father, to jail time. I never felt like things wouldn’t get better, I never felt “why me?” I always knew that I was strong and when I make it out of those (or current) situations that I would be stronger and better!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I make streetwear, more specifically The Northside Streetwear, where urban grit meets high fashion in a stunning collision of style and substance. Our brand is all about capturing the raw energy of the streets and transforming it into bold, edgy designs that don’t just follow trends, they create them. Every piece we craft tells a story of rebellion, individuality, and the relentless pursuit of authenticity. From graphic tees that make a statement to sleek outerwear that commands attention, The Northside Streetwear is your ticket to standing out and staying true to yourself.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back….. If I were to have to say what were the most impactful qualities, skills or knowledge that I had on my journey so far, I’d have to say… The qualities were always wanting what was best for my audience, I always paid attention to detail and what people wanted, I always put the people and the product before myself. My skills were honestly always there, I had it in me the whole time, I just had to work on it and hone it, shoot in the gym if you will lol. And as far as knowledge goes, once I knew what I wanted to do, I wanted the knowledge. I never got tired of learning, I’m almost 4 years in and still is eager to learn, the thirst for knowledge has never stopped in me!! If I could give anyone advice who’s getting in the “StreetWear” space I would say you have to be passionate about this. This isn’t a money grab, it isn’t a “oh I’ll throw a design on a shirt and make tons of money” it’s hard work, it’s dedication, it’s persistence. You will go years without making money BUT if you’re serious about it, if you love it, if you do it because you want people to have a great product, if you do it cause it makes you feel good seeing people wear what you created…. Then you’ll be fine, the money will come!
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I believe it’s best to go all in on your strengths!! Now that isn’t to say don’t learn skills in the other areas you may be weak in but I think if you’re really good in an area then go hard there. I say that because over the years of doing this I’ve almost learned every single part of the game that you would need to be successful. Some areas I’m better than others but I’ve learned that learning 9 different skill sets for 9 different things can be draining and sometimes it kills your drive for what you are actually good at, when you are your entire team (like I am) then yes sometimes you have to wear many hats but if you can build a team of people who are great in those areas that you are weak in then you can be the strongest in the area that you are good in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thenorthsidestreetwear.myshopify.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYhrqa6MuI_A2FIbJ-s9jfyaWnq9pp650gqZ7z2mAzpNM_7D7wZOmaszv8_aem_QpjWaRWEvqo20s6ANXpU1A
- Instagram: Thenorthside_streetwear
Image Credits
“Current_Locationz” on instagram
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