Archie Clay III is not any stranger to the world of luxurious style. Because the founding father of Mind Love, a acutely aware luxurious model, Archie is on a mission to merge model with psychological well being advocacy, creating an area the place style isn’t nearly wanting good—it’s about feeling good, too. Born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Archie’s journey from a profitable hat model, WEAR BRIMS, to the creation of Mind Love is a testomony to resilience, self-discovery, and the facility of neighborhood.
Impressed by his mom’s teachings on confidence and psychological well being, Archie is decided to problem the stigma round psychological wellness, notably throughout the Black neighborhood. On this Q&A interview, Archie opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, the significance of self-love, and the way Mind Love is utilizing style as a car for change.
[Editor’s note: This is a truncated transcription of a longer video interview. Please see the video for the extended version. Some errors may occur.]
Might you inform our neighborhood just a little extra about what you do, your background, and your model?
Yeah, man, my identify is Archie, the third, founder, CEO of Mind Love, which is a acutely aware, luxurious style model centered on merely altering the steam round psychological well being and wellness inside our communities. Our complete focus is to make use of style as a car to point out folks that you may be fly on the skin, but additionally fly mentally on the within. Proper? That’s our philosophy.
Considered one of our stands is your evolution begins with you. We’re a agency believer that to be able to be nice, to attain your desires, your aspirations, and no matter that appears like for you, it begins inside, proper? So, we wish to be a model, a life-style and model, that’s centered on ensuring our clients and our neighborhood are reaching that pinnacle.
What impressed you to start out this model?
Man, it’s a traumatic purpose why I began the model, however factor, proper? So, I had a model known as WEAR BRIMS. We launched it in 2016. It was a really profitable hat model. We did over 1,000,000 {dollars} in gross sales over seven years. All about Oprah’s, one of many prime hat corporations which are turning into? We have been in Nordstroms, Neiman Marcus. Had a variety of wonderful issues occurring for us, however sadly, my enterprise companions cut up. Throughout that point interval, I used to be very depressed as a result of I used to be upset with God and confused on why I needed to, I’m going via this.
I sacrificed all the pieces to construct this firm. I went full-time for my company profession. I began my profession in retail and operations for large corporations like Goal and Burlington and Marshall. So, I went full-time and invested all my time into the enterprise, and it did effectively. So, on the peak of the enterprise, that’s when issues unraveled. So, I used to be very confused and afraid and probably not understanding what was subsequent. At the moment, I used to be within the strategy of proposing. So, for me, I don’t even know what my profession seems like proper now.
So, what am I going to do? So, for me, it actually took a step again and actually aligned again to my non secular facet and actually discovered what’s the journey that God has for me. And through that, my very own soul was looking out and reaching inside myself and, after all, having my neighborhood to be there for me and say, ‘Hey, Archie, you are able to do it once more. You may rebuild and create one thing particular.’ I noticed that as I’m going via this, I do know different persons are going via possibly comparable conditions, however possibly not even coping with companies, simply going via points, not having help, not having a neighborhood.
And a few folks don’t make it out of it. Some persons are having extra struggles and turning into homeless, possibly suicide, despair. All these items can occur from a one single scenario. And my father had a psychological breakdown once I was three years outdated. So, all these items are going via my head. I don’t need that to occur to me. I wish to be sure that I’m mentally sustained. So, my primary focus was ensuring I’m right here. I’m robust right here.
After which, God is all the pieces. God had the journey for you. God confirmed me one other concept. That’s when Mind Love got here into a degree. I bear in mind being within the automobile, and me and my spouse have been speaking a few bar idea. And I bear in mind her saying, ‘Perhaps we might name it Brainchild.’ I used to be like, ‘Man, I believe I like that identify.’ Let’s form of determine what that appears like. And I bear in mind taking a look at it, listening to a Warren Buffett podcast, and he was speaking about the way it’s vital to actually spend money on your thoughts and spend money on your interior self, proper, earlier than the financials, earlier than something tangible, proper?
As a result of on the finish of the day, your thoughts and your non secular and your holistic thought course of are extra vital than something. That may mean you can push any success that you have to be, proper? So, from there, man, I believed it created me. I created the corporate, actually, in two months. After which from there, man, we launched formally in September 2023 with Bloomingdale’s and a variety of Trend Week. And it’s form of been historical past from there, man.”
Why do you are feeling it’s vital to handle psychological well being via style, particularly within the Black neighborhood?
Yeah, man, I simply assume that, I have a look at this, we are saying like this, man, we’re a model that’s there to melt the dialog, proper? Psychological well being has been round for a very long time, proper? I believe that psychological well being is a taboo. Folks don’t like speaking about psychological well being for a few of our causes, proper? I believe it’s as a result of, actually, excited about how we have been speaking about what psychological well being is, proper? I believe it was one thing that was, ‘You’re loopy to be speaking about psychological well being,’ proper?
However for me, I have a look at it as a way of, this must be part of your life-style, proper? Psychological well being will not be when—I believe folks overlook that psychological well being will not be whenever you acquired a illness or you might have despair. Psychological well being is the thoughts. I believe folks overlook that. That’s what it’s. I believe, however once we speak about psychological well being, folks usually say, ‘Oh, one thing’s improper with you. It’s good to go there.’ ‘Oh, wow. What’s—’ No, we have to erase that thought course of once we’re saying psychological well being.
Psychological well being has nothing to do with one thing being improper with you, proper? You focusing in your psychological well being doesn’t imply that one thing’s improper with you. You’re simply specializing in turning into a greater model of your self. Now, sure, there are different issues from despair. It’s a really—I believe you need some issues with regards to psychological well being, proper? However there may be the start issue of psychological well being, which is the start issue, that’s a minor therapist, however the starting section of it. Some persons are born with psychological well being points, after all, proper?
Then there are additionally those that points occur of their life that flip into different issues inside psychological well being, proper? So, I believe for us is that tradition performs a serious position in how folks assume and the way they costume and the way they present up and the way they really feel assured. Folks get confidence from hip-hop. They get confidence from style. They get confidence from enjoying basketball, proper? We have a look at style as a car to say, ‘Hey, it is a car to melt the dialog and get you to know that psychological well being may be very, essential to your life-style.’
If you wish to achieve success, you wish to get extra money, you wish to be an incredible husband, an incredible father, you’ll be able to’t do these items with out having this sustainability, proper? And I believe we’re not speaking about these items sufficient, and that’s the place Mind Love desires to return into the image, not solely simply from the storytelling from our merchandise but additionally doing programming as effectively on the again finish for our clients and neighborhood.
Are there any cultural or historic references you incorporate into your designs to convey psychological well being themes?
Man, that’s really an incredible query. Nobody’s ever requested me that query. Nicely, I’ve a solution for that query. So, we get a variety of inspiration from the 70s and the 60s, 60s and the 70s. 60s, 70s, and 80s. Cause why? As a result of these—oh, I’m sorry, 70s and 80s. Cause why? As a result of these instances, the place it was a variety of—after all, we nonetheless had quite a bit happening inside us as Black or African People, issues of that nature. But additionally there was a interval the place there was a variety of freedom of expression, proper? From the music.
That’s when Motown Data was going loopy. There was love and pleasure within the events and the various things that have been occurring inside a tradition for us. And I believe that when you consider these, that period, it simply actually feels a lot pleasure. Once we hearken to the 70s and 80s music, it feels so joyful, proper? They’re speaking about their struggles. They’re speaking about their ache. They’re speaking concerning the issues that they’re going via, proper? Via their music.
Even from sports activities and all these completely different—the intervals the place we have been actually like discovering who we have been as a tradition and actually going after it. And for me, I simply assume these intervals, even from a style standpoint, that’s why the 70s and 80s are my favourite intervals of style, proper? With the flares and the polos and you bought the rendezvous sea vibes. You bought the Adidas Jumpsuit. It was a full motion of simply being your self.
And I believe we’ve gotten away from being really your self and never worrying about anyone else. I will be myself and be impactful in myself, and I don’t need to deal with what all people else acquired. And I believe we draw a variety of inspiration from these intervals. And actually, simply love. I do know it’s a cliché factor to say, however love. Our first assortment was known as ‘Love You.’ And it was actually, actually, centered on me loving myself.
That’s actually the place it got here from, coming from the scenario I got here from and getting again to the core of my perception of being inventive and eager to make an impression. And I noticed that, earlier than something, it’s a must to love your self first. And so they all the time say in a relationship, you don’t wish to get right into a relationship whenever you’re nonetheless—for those who’re not loving your self, it’s going to be very troublesome.
What are some challenges you’ve confronted as a Black designer and psychological well being advocate?
Man, at first, the primary problem is myself. I actually was speaking to my spouse earlier right now about some methods I’ve been engaged on, however I haven’t carried out it as a result of I’m afraid of simply no matter that comes with. I don’t even know what I’m afraid of, actually. I believe generally we get in our heads and we preserve ourselves from actually reaching our full potential. I do know that’s a cliche factor to say, however I do imagine that, us in our thoughts, having confidence round thoughts, you’re telling your self, as a result of I do know, I do know that I constructed a enterprise earlier than.
So, I do know what to do, however you’re considering that because you’ve achieved it already, you don’t need to do these fundamentals. Proper? That’s the boldness I’m having in my head. That is already, why do I do the fundamentals once more? However realizing that the fundamentals play a job in your constructing neighborhood. Proper? In order that’s the primary problem. It’s actually myself, having these conversations with myself and saying, yo, simply do what you have to do and simply do it effectively. You are able to do it effectively. You’ve achieved it earlier than. I believe that’s the primary problem.
And I believe the second problem, I believe it’s all the time funding, proper? Particularly with regards to a style model, you wish to just remember to’re filling in demand, proper? On your shoppers and your clients. So, it’s a must to all the time ensure you form of determine that technique with regards to funding. And I’d say final and never least, man, is buying clients, proper? We’re in an area proper now the place Meta may be very costly to market on Meta proper now. Very, very costly. And it may be very expensive, proper?
Particularly at first, proper? The place you’re attempting to determine the steadiness of investing in product. But additionally, it’s a must to purchase extra clients till you promote a product. Proper? So discovering distinctive and inventive methods to try this. And I believe, I’ll combat it myself. Content material and social media and creating these partaking contents with regards to your model and storytelling and issues of that nature play a serious position in the way you purchase clients organically.
And there’s placing your manufacturers on the market which have achieved it efficiently with out having to make the most of adverts at first. And that’s not saying that you simply gained’t finally try this, which is a part of enterprise. You wish to have a singular funnel the place you’re producing new clients into your funnel they usually’re following the journey. However I believe you’ve acquired to determine distinctive methods as a result of we’re in a singular time proper now the place all the pieces is pricey. Proper?
So, it’s a must to discover distinctive methods. And I believe for us, what has labored very effectively for us is that our product does very effectively in retail. We’re specializing in retail first.
The place my first firm we centered on e-commerce. So, it’s flipped. All proper, cool. We all know that we transfer items on to shoppers inside a retail retailer. Let’s proceed to feed that engine, permit that money to feed our advertising and marketing again in. Proper? So these are the three issues that I believe will be challenges, however I believe you may also face on being constant, understanding what you have to do. You may also repair these challenges as effectively.
What’s the last word imaginative and prescient for Mind Love?
Man, we simply wish to save one life yearly. That’s the principle aim. After all, I might say we wish to do 1,000,000 {dollars} and 10 million, 30 million. I believe that comes with it, proper? One factor I’ve been listening to in my non secular journey, it’s not solely centered on the monetary first, it’s centered on my impression first. Proper? In order that’s form of one factor I’ve been practising myself. When folks ask that query, usually you’ll say, ‘Hey, win $10 million subsequent 12 months.’ What ought to we do?
Man, I perceive that we don’t wish to try this as a result of we’re a enterprise. However actually, man, if we have been going to impression change in a single particular person’s life a 12 months proper now— We are able to try this. We are able to impression. We are able to change one’s perspective on how they will reside their life and get them to see energy in a single’s thoughts and perceive that if I’m even concerning the monetary facet, then you’ll be able to change your thoughts. You may have a greater relationship. You could be a higher husband, a greater spouse. I noticed that, man, life may be very brief.
I’ve misplaced a few moments final 12 months. And I noticed that nothing’s promised. Me dropping my firm on the peak of the enterprise. I’m in a unique zone. And most of the people will not be in with regards to being an entrepreneur. I hit the head, proper? But additionally, it ended. So, my thought course of was just a little completely different the place— Sure, I need to have the ability to simply exit throughout the subsequent 5 to seven years of the enterprise, however extra importantly, man, we simply need to have the ability to make an impression and be capable to keep on this journey that God has paved the way in which for us. And I thank that God, proper?
Folks ask folks on a regular basis, God was the one which put this concept in my thoughts. So, it’s my job to do what we will to assist change and align with those that imagine in what we imagine in. I believe it’s a motion. There’s a variety of thought processes happening, even with your self, man. We related based mostly on this motion, the thought course of, and its vitality. And I believe that it might preserve us wanting good, wanting wholesome, being the perfect model of ourselves, being good for our associates.
And we speak about wealth. I believe wealth is within the thoughts. I believe as soon as we conquer our thoughts, the cash’s going to return. As a result of look what we’ve been doing. Look what we’ve achieved with out actually specializing in that thought course of. So, when you turn out to be conscious, God goes to pave that means for you. You’re going to have the ability to impression folks. You’re going to have the ability to— since you acquired to make, to be able to impression, we acquired to have cash.
If not, you’ll be able to’t do one or the opposite. You may’t make an impression on the earth and make an impression for folks with out money. That’s what it’s. So, however two issues will be true. You are able to do each. I actually imagine that you are able to do each. You may have life. You may change your loved ones’s life, however you may also make an impression round folks which are round you.
How do you keep balanced as an entrepreneur whereas managing your psychological and bodily well being?
Made my homies, man. And I like speaking with y’all, I believe friendship and neighborhood and household is a core of who I’m and I’m a agency believer that. Household is all the pieces. If any person can, after all, we all know that household could be a testomony as effectively, however I’m grateful to have a ravishing spouse that believes in what I’ve achieved. She’s all the time believed in what I’ve achieved.
So, I can’t, I can’t fail. That’s not even, it’s not even an choice. For somebody to imagine in you a lot and to provide, to mean you can be an entrepreneur, that night time. Say, Hey, the place are you going to get this job? So I’m, I’ve a lot gratitude. As a result of I’m in an area the place I can actually push ahead. And likewise, from a standpoint I do muay thai, that’s my protected area.
I’ve been doing since I used to be three years outdated. In order that’s all the time my protected area. So, I really like the artwork of martial arts, which most individuals don’t know is the non secular artwork martial arts. In order that’s, that’s one other protected area. And simply laughing, man. I’m a, I’m a jokester. I really like to simply have enjoyable and love a celebration, man. I simply turned 35 and I really feel good. I really feel nice. And I’ve a niece now, she’s two. So, it’s simply, it’s a lot to sit up for.
And actually, man, it’s simply understanding that it’s simply being grateful, man. I believe I get up on daily basis and I pray and I meditate each single day. I imply, so I’m about to start out again up remedy. Nothing’s improper with me, however I simply realized that I wish to be the perfect model of myself, I wish to be a powerhouse.
What message do you hope to go away for the Black neighborhood?
Could your evolution begin with you. I believe now we have to actually embrace ourselves and perceive that we will change. It might change, however we acquired to wish to. And I believe we additionally acquired to know this. It’s going to be troublesome. It’s going to be robust, however nothing value having comes straightforward. I believe that’s an actual final quote. If you wish to be the 1%, it’s a 1% for a purpose.
If you wish to be nice and also you wish to do these items, and even for those who simply wish to have an ideal profession, simply proceed to get higher 1% on daily basis. Chances are you’ll not wish to be in there. Chances are you’ll simply wish to make good cash and simply be okay. That’s nice. No matter goes in an issue that you simply wish to do, on the finish day nonetheless begins with you. It begins with folks round you. It begins with you chopping folks on the market and never profit to you. Every little thing begins with you.
And I say your evolution is not only your solely private evolution involving. It’s preserving folks away from you that retains you from evolving. I believe a variety of instances persons are, I acquired to maintain these associates round me as a result of I’ve been these associates since I used to be three years outdated. I don’t care if I’ve been in entrance of you. When you’re not including worth to me, then I don’t need to be a pal. I believe we put an excessive amount of strain on ourselves to be there for different folks after they’re not there for us. I’m very, very grateful for a person.
I’ve had a strong group of associates since I used to be 18 years outdated. A really profitable black man which have achieved wonderful for his or her households, but additionally are working to be higher each single day. And to see that occur and see it occurring is that we will do higher. We are able to’t need extra and we will’t have extra. So even simply seeing you guys, me, you guys, taking what you guys made, I can see that.
However we additionally acquired to keep in mind that the those that we see and join with, that’s not regular. It’s not regular to have educated black males which are in the identical area and wish to be in the identical area and as soon as we evolve it, be higher, mizzly and bodily. Let’s have enjoyable. On the finish of the day, bro, we will have it. Oh, you simply acquired to know. You simply acquired to know when to have it, and when to not have it. This level. So very, very grateful.
I simply assume that’s, simply be grateful and gratitude as a result of, a variety of instances lots of people don’t get an opportunity to make it to the following 12 months. So simply being grateful for yearly that God offers you.
The place can folks discover extra about Mind Love?
Thanks. Sure, you’ll be able to comply with us at mind love underscore official on all platforms, Twitter, Fb, Instagram. Our web site is www.brainlove.retailer. You may store us at Bloomingdales in Atlanta market and women mall. And naturally, you’ll be able to comply with me at Archie Clay III.
Archie Clay III merges model with psychological wellness
Archie Clay III is greater than a designer—he’s a visionary utilizing style to spark conversations about psychological well being and self-love. With Mind Love, he’s making a motion that proves model and substance can coexist, one acutely aware design at a time.
