We were lucky to catch up with Bryson Davis-johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bryson, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the decision of whether to donate a percentage of sales to an organization or cause – we’d love to hear the backstory of how you thought through this.

At Ajani Sportswear, we believe that business isn’t just about profits—it’s about purpose. This past spring, we partnered with The Hot Room Yoga to create something bigger than just apparel or classes; we built a movement. Over three months, we hosted donation-based yoga sessions, dropped a limited capsule collection, and threw a networking mixer that brought people together in ways that matter. A percentage of the capsule collection sales went toward training BIPOC individuals to become certified yoga instructors, raising $3,000 in the process.

Why this cause? Simple—it’s personal. Representation in the wellness space isn’t where it should be, and we saw an opportunity to change that. Yoga’s benefits go beyond the mat; it’s about balance, resilience, and self-discovery. But for too long, access and representation have been barriers for too many. By supporting BIPOC individuals on their journey to becoming instructors, we’re helping shift the narrative and opening doors for the next generation of leaders in this space.

This wasn’t just a campaign; it was a blueprint for how Ajani Sportswear moves—with intention, with impact, and always with the community in mind.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those who don’t know me, my journey started in education. I began as a teacher, focusing on helping students achieve and grow. I taught PE and health, coached basketball, and spent most of my days in sportswear. Later, I transitioned into administration because I wanted to have a greater impact—not just on individual students, but across entire schools.

The idea for Ajani Sportswear came during my time coaching basketball at the University of Indianapolis. I wore sportswear every day, and reading Shoe Dog by Phil Knight sparked something in me. It showed me that a brand could tell a story and make an impact. I wanted to create something that represented resilience and overcoming struggles, which is why I named the brand “Ajani”—it means “he or she who wins the struggle.”

Ajani Sportswear isn’t just about apparel; it’s about empowering people to embrace health, wellness, and perseverance. That mission became even more personal when I faced health challenges. I realized I wasn’t prioritizing my own wellness, and that’s when I developed Paradigm by Ajani. Paradigm is a membership-based platform that helps busy professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives take care of their health while building connections. We partner with local businesses to provide resources, discounts, and events focused on fitness, nutrition, and professional growth.

What makes Ajani Sportswear and Paradigm by Ajani unique is that we’re purpose-driven. Through partnerships like our Summer Event Series with Canal Squad, we removed the barrier to entry on fitness by hosting $5 pop up workouts followed by networking at Paradigm businesses. This showed that a brand can do more than sell—it can serve.

At the core of everything we do is a commitment to helping others thrive. Whether it’s through what we create or the connections we foster, Ajani is about showing up, overcoming challenges, and building a better community together.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

I don’t come from a design or manufacturing background, so starting Ajani Sportswear was all about diving into the unknown. From day one, research became my best friend. I knew I wanted to custom manufacture products that matched the quality and purpose behind the brand, but I had to spend every spare moment outside of my career educating myself. Learning the ins and outs of manufacturing, from sourcing materials to creating tech packs, was a steep learning curve. I outsource tech packs because I don’t have the skills to create them myself, but understanding how they work has been critical to communicating with manufacturers and refining my products.

One of the biggest lessons came when I made a large order and realized too late that heat transfer logos don’t work well on Dri-Fit material. That mistake cost me time and money, but it taught me to pay closer attention to the details of fabric compatibility and adjust my tech packs accordingly. Experiences like that have pushed me to be more meticulous, ask more questions, and build better relationships with vendors. Luckily, I worked early on with a freelance designer that had access to Lululemon manufacturers and she shared me their information.

Now, we’ve just released our most innovative product yet: the Ajani Prosper Mini Duffel. It’s made from high-quality ballistic nylon with leather accents, antimicrobial lining, expandable pockets, and adjustable straps, combining function and style. Getting to this point took a lot of trial and error, but each challenge has taught me something new.

I’m still learning, and there’s still a long way to go, but that’s what makes the process rewarding. For anyone starting out, I’d say this: don’t rush it. Research, learn from your mistakes, and always look for ways to improve. That’s what’s helped me build a brand that stands for quality and resilience.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I don’t currently have a business partner, but I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration. As the founder of Ajani Sportswear, I’ve been fortunate to work with talented individuals who’ve helped me bring the brand to life. The reality is, I don’t come from a design background, and while I’ve learned a lot along the way, there are areas where I could really use support—especially in design.

That’s why I’d love to connect with someone who shares the same vision for Ajani Sportswear: a brand built on resilience, quality, and community impact. If you have a design background and the skills I lack, and you’re passionate about helping take this brand to the next level, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s collaborate and make something amazing together.

If you’re reading this and think you could be the right fit, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m ready to build something bigger, and I believe the right partnership could be the key to making that happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ajanisportswear.com & www.paradigmbyajani.com
• Instagram: @ajanisportswear.com & paradigmbyajani.com
• Facebook: @ajanisportswear
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bdj

Image Credits

Set 3 productions
JBF Media