is a great shirt, a great theme, and
great message. Everybody needs
to be inspired.
preaches entitled “One Can Make
a Difference.” Hafiz with the name
meaning God or Guardian, has chosen
to watch over and pull the community
together by conveying a message that is
very clear that you can inspire change
starting with you. Social responsibility
is more than just stating the issues and
facts. Sometimes social responsibility means printing it on your back and
wearing it everyday. Referring back to
the quote at by CoCo Chanel; fashion
has to do with ideas, the way we live,
what is happening. Fashion is social
consciousness that the people need and
can visually see everyday.
S.E.: What is the hardest part
about starting your own clothing
company and what makes you
push through the hard times?
Hafiz: Marketing is the hardest
part trying to use all avenues to
reach people and get the message out there. I am the sole
investor in the company, so I am
mindful of the resource I use. I
get through it by using social
media, the organizations, and the
fraternity that I am apart of. I really appreciate everyone
that helped in branding the business and telling others about
Thank you Hafiz Stokes for showing the importance for starting
the message.
a movement to inspire a change in the way we live through IME
Shirt and Apparel.
S.E.: Tell me about any mistakes that you have made that
could have hindered you from following your dreams and
how did you get back on track?
Hafiz: A mistake I made that could have potentially hindered me from following my dream was that I did not
believe in myself. I was standing in my own way because
the negative feelings I had about time and money. I finally
got back on track because I am passionate and anything that
I do I commit full heartedly too. Today, I am here to say
I have my own t-shirt line. For me, having this line is not
about the money but about healing the community.
S.E.: What advice would you give someone who wants to
follow in your footsteps?
Hafiz: The advice I would give someone who is trying to do
what I am doing is to believe in yourself, the only person
that knows you can do it is you. Stick to it! With fashion
you can satisfy or appeal to an audience if there is a need, so
appeal to them! If you have an audience or supporters and
you can feed them, then you always have people that will
follow it and be in you corner. Don’t be afraid!
S.E.: Where do you see yourself and the company in 5 to
10 years?
Hafiz: I see progression. I see the movement going global
and reaching places I never imagined. I want to expand into
an IME foundation and achieving greater for our communities. For myself, I want to take my acting, hosting, modeling to the next level.
S.E.: So, before we conclude this interview tell me where
can we buy your merchandise from?
Hafiz: You can get your IME t-shirts at our online store
http://imebyhafizbystoreenvy.com/
This interview has reminded me of a sermon my father
20
www.simplyelevate.com
About the Author:
R
enisha is a graduate of North Carolina Central
University, where she majored in Consumer
Science concentrating in Apparel and Textile and
2012 Master’s of Business Administration from
the University of Phoenix recipient. Renisha is
the owner of Walk.Fashion, a network of fashion
designers that produces fashion shows for causes )?????!%X????????????????????????????????)I?????????????9 ??????M???????????????)?????????????????????????????????????I??????e???????)?????????????????????????????????????????????????)???????????????????????????????qQ????????????????????)?????????????????t??
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