Building the Blueprint: Laying the Groundwork for Your Goals

There’s something powerful about setting goals, but let’s be real—dreams don’t work unless you do. Last week, I shared how I achieved a long-term goal. That success didn’t happen by accident or by just writing the goal down and waiting for it to magically come true. It happened because I put in the work. It happened because I stayed focused, made adjustments when necessary, and kept showing up even when things got hard.

Here’s the truth: I didn’t hit every shot I took. Nobody does. I’ve failed more times than I can count, but every failure taught me something valuable. Every time I fell short, I forced myself to sit with the loss and break it down. I asked myself hard questions: Where did I go wrong? What could I have done better? Once I understood where I missed the mark, I adjusted my approach. That’s the secret to progress—it’s not about avoiding failure; it’s about using failure as fuel to move forward. Winning isn’t just about reaching the goal; it’s about continuously bettering yourself through the process.

Right now, I’m in the middle of laying the groundwork for my next big moves. With my new machine set up for production, one of my short-term goals is to master it completely. It’s not enough to have the right tools; you’ve got to know how to use them to their fullest potential. This goal may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but every big win is made up of smaller victories along the way.

Another goal I’ve set is to stay consistent with sharing my journey through these blogs. For me, consistency is everything. It’s easy to get distracted, to let life pull you in a million directions, but showing up—day after day—is where the magic happens. Writing these blogs allows me to connect with you all in a real and authentic way. My hope is that by showing up for you, I can inspire you to show up for yourself, too.

When you see streetwear brands at the top, it’s tempting to think they got there overnight. But let me tell you: nothing about success is instant. My brand, '97 Appeal , is built on the wins, the losses, and every moment in between. Each piece I create reflects my personal journey—my experiences, my setbacks, my grind, my emotions. This isn’t just clothing; it’s my story stitched into every design. And this is why I’m inviting you into my narrative. I want you to feel connected to the work, to see the growth, and to know that you’re not just supporting a brand—you’re supporting the hustle, the lessons, and the journey.

This week, I challenge you to take a step toward something new. Whether it’s learning a skill, starting a project, or simply committing to a habit, decide today to give it your all. And here’s the kicker: stay consistent for the entire week. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to get done. If you can stick to your goal for one week, you’ll prove to yourself that you can do it again the next week. Small wins build momentum, and before you know it, you’ll be tackling even bigger goals.

My brand is proof that growth takes time, effort, and resilience. Every step you take, no matter how small, gets you closer to your goal. Brick by brick, you’re building something meaningful—just don’t give up when it gets hard.

So, what’s your challenge for the week? Identify it, commit to it, and see it through. I’m here doing the same, learning and growing right alongside you. See you next week—let’s keep moving forward together & Rise Above It All.