We were lucky to catch up with Donte Bryson Jr. recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Donte, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience is part of who I am, shaped by a family who never backed down from a challenge. They showed me that every setback is a chance to grow. Fueled by my ambitious dreams, I embrace obstacles as opportunities to move closer to my goals.
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’m a 24-year-old creative from the Midwest, who embarked on my entrepreneurial journey from my military barracks room in 2021. Growing up in Toledo, Ohio, my love for various art forms, including fashion, music, and film, was always dismissed as mere hobbies due to the lack of visible success stories in my community.
However, my perspective shifted when I was stationed in San Diego, California. Witnessing creatives living their dream lives showed me that success in the creative field was not only possible but also attainable. Inspired by my late father’s suggestion to explore a career in fashion, I launched my clothing brand, initially named “BryLifestyle,” in 2021.
Driven by a desire to honor my roots and my father’s legacy, I rebranded the label to ‘BryLamar,’ combining his last and middle name with my own as a Jr. This rebranding signifies the convergence of his vision and my lifelong dream of pursuing a career in the arts.
BryLamar unveiled its debut collection on March 1st, 2024, featuring our signature unisex biker jackets, currently in production and set to be available on our web-store in early April. As we move forward, BryLamar aims to transcend boundaries and foster a community of dreamers who believe in the power of creativity to change the world.
At BryLamar, we’re not just crafting clothing; we’re building a legacy—one stitch at a time.
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?
Three skills that shaped my journey are goal-setting, community-building, and self-compassion.
Setting monthly, weekly, and daily goals fosters accountability and measurable growth.
Building a supportive community of like-minded creatives provides invaluable inspiration and feedback.
Embracing self-compassion amidst mistakes allows for continuous learning and growth.
For those starting out, prioritize setting clear goals, fostering a supportive network, and embracing self-compassion in the face of setbacks. Remember, mistakes are opportunities for growth.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When overwhelmed, I retreat to activities that ignite joy in my inner child. This might involve dancing to music, revisiting childhood movies or TV shows, or spending time with loved ones. Tapping into this playful mindset rejuvenates my creativity and helps me regain balance and inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brylamar.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/dontebrysonjr
- Facebook: facebook.com/dontebrysonjr
- Twitter: twitter.com/dontebrysonjr
Image Credits
Photography by @directordoni and @guexperience