5 Years In.

Five years ago, I took the biggest creative risk of my life. I gave birth to something I had never done before — something that came from the gut, not a blueprint. I didn’t grow up thinking I’d start a clothing brand. I didn’t have a roadmap or a mentor in my corner showing me how to do it step by step. What I had was an idea that wouldn't leave me alone… and the belief that what I had to say through clothing mattered.

97 Appeal wasn’t born out of a plan to get rich quick. It was born out of pain. Out of survival. Out of curiosity. Out of a desire to be seen, to connect, and to build something that would speak to people who’ve been through what I’ve been through. People who’ve been counted out. Who’ve had to restart more times than they can count. People who want more but haven’t always been given the space, tools, or support to go get it.

When I dropped my first concept, I had no idea what it would become. I just knew how it made me feel. I felt proud. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was tapping into something that wasn’t just a hobby or a side hustle. It was something deeper. I realized quickly that this wasn’t just about clothes. This was about telling stories that usually go untold — and doing it in a way that people could wear with pride.

Starting 97 Appeal was a turning point for me. It gave me purpose. It gave me something to build, something to protect, and something to fight for. And once I realized I was actually good at it — not just the designing, but the visuals, the messaging, the whole brand feel — I knew I had to keep going. Even when things got hard. Especially when things got hard.

And they did.

There were days I questioned myself. Nights I laid awake wondering if all this effort would ever pay off. I’ve had popups that didn’t go well. Orders that got delayed. Moments when I poured everything I had into a drop and barely got anything back. I’ve had people doubt me, ignore the brand, or try to put it in a box it didn’t belong in. And yeah — there were moments I almost gave up.

But I couldn’t quit something that was built from my spirit.

Because every time I felt like letting go, something would pull me back in. A message from a customer. A sale from someone out of state who found us and said, “This brand feels like me.” A kid walking into my mobile store and lighting up when they saw a piece that said exactly what they were feeling. That’s the type of stuff that reminds me: this ain’t just business — it’s impact.

Every piece I drop is a reflection of a lived experience. Whether it’s pain, growth, self-doubt, healing, or fight — it’s real. If you’ve followed the brand, you already know we don’t just sell clothes. We sell energy. We sell truth. We sell reminders of who we are and what we’ve overcome. And for me, that will always be enough.

I’m proud of every late night, every popup, every whiteboard plan, every pivot, and every mistake that taught me something. I’m proud of the wins — big and small. I’m proud of how far we’ve come and how many lives we’ve been able to reach — even with limited resources.

To everyone who’s supported me these past five years — I don’t take it lightly. I don’t care if you bought one shirt or just reposted a photo — you’re part of this. You helped keep this dream alive. And to my day-ones — the ones who were there when it was just an idea on paper — you know I love y’all. You’ve helped me pack, brainstorm, pull up, reset, and push forward. You kept me grounded when things felt shaky and reminded me to dream big even when I was tired.

This brand started in a city known for breaking people, and yet here we are — still standing. Still growing. Still making noise.

Five years is a milestone, but we’re not done. Not even close.

This is only chapter one.
The next chapter? Elevation. Innovation. Expansion.

More collaborations. More wins. More lessons. More faces. More impact.

If you’ve ever felt like the underdog…
If you’ve ever been through something and kept going anyway…
If you’re trying to build something from nothing…
You’re already part of this story.

Thank you for five unforgettable years. Let’s keep writing the next part — together.