Meet Andre Spight Jr.

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andre Spight Jr. . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Andre, so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?

Due to my illness I was constantly told that I wouldn’t live long. “Don’t dream, because you’ll never live long enough to fulfill it anyway.” So when I started my business, no one thought that I had the determination to succeed. Especially, since the longest job I’ve ever had was for 2½ years. And the questions that arose were always disingenuous. How are you going to do that? What happens if? Do you even know how to? Why can’t you just? All these questions had doubt behind them, as if no one could see the potential that I had. But I knew the only way I could ever have the life I envisioned for myself was to be my own boss. That way, if I ever needed a few sick days it didn’t come at the cost of my job. After I turned 20, I told myself that it was time for a change. And when I took that leap so many said was impossible, I remember not only feeling free but having a level of pure determination.

Over the years, there were several times when my business slowed down due to various health issues that arose. And of course when it did, the nay-sayers would come out of the woodwork making sue to point out everything I either did wrong, or how they never thought I’d last long to begin with. But without a strong belief of self, what they said probably would’ve been true. I had to continue to be persistent even when things weren’t going the right way. Even when days were slow, weeks seemed long, months became tiresome, and years lacking. I kept trying different outcomes until I got back on track. Did I get discouraged from time to time, sure? But I chose not to linger in it. I knew in my core that this was the right path. I could live with missing a task for the day, or a project that I couldn’t complete for the business, but I could never forgive the moment I gave up on myself.

One of my favorite quotes goes “Your Dreams must always Exceed your Capacity to achieve them”. And I believed my vison was so wild and vivid that couldn’t stop chasing it.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am the Illustrator & Creative Director for my brand Sozo-Ryoku. My brand is designed around the “chibi style” characters that I draw. I then utilize those characters in prints/patterns to style a variety of different streetwear products from t-shirts to handbags. Lately, I’ve been taking my brand into more of a exclusive handmade approach. I love sewing something cool and one of a kind for my customers that they can not only be themselves in, but use everyday. With my latest collection “Monochrome × Signature Series” I really pushed my limits to provide several looks from one pattern. Even though it took me 4years to produce, (mostly because of health setbacks) I’m really satisfied with the way it turned out. For me, when I look at the collection I see how much I’ve grown each year. Gradually getting better with the style of products I chose that helped me push beyond my creative limits. Now that the collections finished, I’ll be showcasing them at different events locally.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Humility, Persistence, and Discipline. Without those three things I wouldn’t be here today.

Humble that I’ve lived longer than most expected me to. That I’m able to share my story with others who might learn from it. And to know there’s always someone more skilled or talented to get help from.

Persistent to keep pushing forward. Building upon my progress day by day. And have the right mental attitude when doubts or things beyond my control arise.

And the discipline to stay focused. Bettering myself as a person. Sharpening my skills. And improving my relationships.

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 do believe it’s best to start off with one strength/skill that you can build a solid foundation on first. Be so good at that skill that people can instantly identify you by it. Only after mastering that skill, should you try your hand in different areas. If you try starting in different areas first you run the risk of being pulled in multiple directions with no clear direction. And that inevitably leads to burnout. That first skill should also be something you’re passionate about. Something that you’re always trying to hone and improve upon. That way if you’re ever put into a position where one of those extra skills fail to provide results you can always return to your foundation to keep you afloat. As a business owner you’ll always end up juggling different skills to get the job done. However, hiring those who have the skills you need is the best way to expand. That way everyone is working toward the same vision.

If I didn’t continue drawing from childhood I don’t think my brand would have the same impact it does now. My characters are what make my brand unique. I just switched to using streetwear as the canvas I use to display them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sozo-ryoku.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrespightjr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sozoryokubrand
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/sozoryokubrand

Image Credits

©2024 Sozo-Ryoku, LLC.