We recently connected with Jason Lucero and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jason thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
I’ve always had a passion for fashion, aesthetic & putting pieces together. Starting my brand was always in the back of my mind. However, I wanted to do something different. My brand needed to go further than the material. Clothing can be an external representation of a personal story. Uphill was going to tell a part of everyone’s story. My brand was going to have a message. It needed to uplift the community and speak to the things I value. Working against the odds is something that I have grown accustomed to. Overcoming obstacles and pushing harder when things get tough is a large part of my story. That is how Uphill Battle was created. That is the story it represents.
When we hear the words, “Uphill Battle,” we think about the odds being stacked against our favor. The brand speaks to those who choose to find positivity in the bleak. It stands for people that continue to move forward no matter the odds or obstacles in their way. The Uphill Battle community knows that everyone has their struggles, none bigger than the other, but their choice to fight & move forward is what ties them together. The brand and its community foster confidence, strength, and grit. It was created to help everyone through their battle.
In my life, there have been many instances I didn’t know that pushing forward would be worth it. Every single time it was. If my brand and its message could get ONE person through a hard time, then it’s successful.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
My name is Jason Lucero, I’m from El Paso, Texas. A product of 2 hard working & loving parents. I’ve always had an eye for nice things, but growing up we weren’t always able to afford them. Because of that, I learned to value and appreciate everything that we did have. When I was able to work for the “nicer’ things, I then understood their value and the hard work that went into obtaining them.
I went to college at Texas State full time & worked at a hotel full time driving between Austin & San Marcos just about everyday. The idea of creating my own business & brand was something that I always had in the back of my mind. I thought, if I could design some cool gear that people would buy, why wouldn’t I? So, I decided to jump into an industry that I knew nothing about. The only thing I did know was that I didn’t want to regret not trying. I started by buying hats in small bulk, then getting them embroidered by a little old lady who worked out of her home in central Austin. Selling them to anyone willing to buy (mostly friends). From there, I mostly learned through trial and error. Trying everything I could to bring the brand to life. At one point even slapping a ton of stickers all around downtown for “marketing.” Which were taken down almost immediately the next day by the city.
I truly started from the ground up. I began with no outside funding and no knowledge of design or production. It was intimidating at first. But that’s what this is about. Overcoming doubts. Creating this unique brand that stands for something meaningful is something I am very proud about.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I initially had no idea on how to get money to launch UB. However, I knew how to work for it. I had saved enough money from my job which allowed me to get started. I took $1,500 (The minimum required to open a business account) out of my personal savings account, drove to a Chase Bank, and opened an account. After that,I used a credit card to source all my items. Making small orders or (MOQs) until I could afford more.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Being authentic. Sticking to your message by not trying just sell. Helping people believe that they are capable of being great. Reminding them that EVERYONE goes through struggles, but what makes us great is deciding to move forward. Having the belief that our current challenges can be the
Contact Info:
- Website: https://uphillbattle.co
- Instagram: @uphillbattle.co @Jaytrain93 (personal)
Image Credits
Allison Wilburn @allisonwanderlustphoto