We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful DJ Riley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with DJ below.

DJ, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

During our 2019 Fall semester at Hampton University, my now co-founders, Stanton Ridley & Jordan Walls, and I came together and were assigned to create our senior engineering design project. We did 5-7 years of undergrad so at that point our main focus was to graduate. Knowing we wanted the project to be something we would enjoy, we combined all three of our expertise into one for our project. My background was in green energy. I interned at NextEra Energy’s nuclear plant in the Miami Metropolitan area and as a National Science Foundation Fellow at Duke University focusing on solar power. Stanton is the fashion guru of the three of us. He has a fashion line called “Somniis” and wanted to integrate technology into clothing and accessories for reasons outside of optics. After Hampton, he pursued his Masters at Parsons School of Design. Jordan is interested in wireless charging and its capabilities. We decided with our expertise to create a jacket that can wirelessly charge our phones via solar energy.

When we first presented our idea to our senior project seminar class, one person said that it was “impractical and infeasible” and another laughed at the person’s comment but we were determined to execute this idea. Fast forward to March 2020, we were making progress in creating our jacket but a major curveball interrupted our progress: COVID-19. Due to the pandemic, Stanton, Jordan, and I had to evacuate Hampton’s campus and return home to New York and Delaware leaving me with the box of our project components. For the first couple weeks back at home, I avoided our project because of mental fatigue but eventually, thanks to boredom, I returned to the project and set it up again on the dining room table. When I finally got the circuitry to work, a light bulb popped out of my head and our motivation to finish this project came back! In April 2020, we entered into this Forbes-sponsored competition, iCON, and on June 24, 2020, we won the Future of Fashion section of the competition. We told ourselves “If Forbes is telling us ‘yes,’ why would we tell ourselves ‘no?'” and consequently founded our business that same day. We later decided to name our business, “Tendaji” which means, “Make Things Happen” in Swahili.

Throughout this four-year entrepreneurial journey as Tendaji’s CEO, we have heard so many more “no’s” than “yes’s” but those “yes’s” have made this journey worthwhile! We were named a Top Business in the Black Girl Ventures x NBA Foundation NextGen Program and the 2023 Black Ambition Prize Winner. I was also nominated for Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2023. After years of growing as businessmen, we are excited to launch our MVP this Fall! For us to turn our senior design project into our business amid COVID-19, we are persistent in making Tendaji a household name!

DJ, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Daryl “DJ” Riley Jr., and I am the founder and CEO of Tendaji, a fashion tech company that integrates the productivity of technology with the style and confidence that fashion provides. My journey into this industry began during my time at Hampton University, where my senior design project with two partners (now co-founders), Stanton Ridley and Jordan Walls, transformed into a groundbreaking business. With all of us being Electrical Engineering graduates from Hampton University, and Stanton also being an alum of Parsons School of Design, we combined our technical expertise and creative vision to create something unique.

At Tendaji, we design and manufacture innovative fashion tech products, such as our solar-powered jackets that wirelessly charge smartphones. These jackets not only provide a stylish solution but also offer a practical benefit by addressing the common problem of keeping devices charged on the go. Our products are designed to reduce electronic waste and energy consumption, embodying our commitment to environmental sustainability.

What sets us apart is our seamless integration of cutting-edge technology with fashion-forward designs. We strive to enhance everyday life with our products, making them both functional and fashionable. Our efforts have been recognized through several prestigious awards and accolades, including being named a 2023 Prize Winner for Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize Competition, selection for Microsoft’s #MakeWhatsNext Patent Program, and receiving mentorship from Louis Vuitton Americas CEO, Lanessa Elrod.

I am incredibly proud of the impact Tendaji has made in the industry and the milestones we have achieved. Our participation in various mentorship programs and partnerships with industry leaders has propelled our growth and innovation.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want them to know that Tendaji is committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in fashion tech. We aim to make a positive impact on both the environment and our users’ daily lives. We are constantly innovating and expanding our product line to provide more sustainable and technologically advanced solutions. Join us on this exciting journey as we continue to “make things happen,” one stylish and functional product at a time.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Honestly, resilience was something I gained way before I started my entrepreneurial journey. Personal adversities led me to be the resilient person I am today. A day before my 18th birthday, my grandmother passed away from uterine cancer in 2015. On the same day as my sophomore year move-in day, my grandfather passed away from diabetes in 2016. My aunt committed suicide during my sophomore year spring semester finals week in 2017 and what makes it worse is that I couldn’t attend her funeral due to it being finals week for me. My cousin was murdered in 2018. Losing four family members in back-to-back-to-back-to-back years while pursuing my electrical engineering degree alongside it taking me 5 years to receive my electrical engineering degree and my fifth year spring semester was the start of COVID-19 took nothing but God and the strength he gave me to be resilient. Being an entrepreneur requires a lot of resilience especially when you’re going through adversity, and I’m grateful for my “valleys” as much as I’m grateful for my “peaks” because it shaped me into a man who will never give up even when times are tough.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

These past couple of months I have become an avid reader. I make it a daily routine to read the Bible so I can remain spiritually grounded. I also read the daily message from The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo to maintain my mental health. Some books I’ve read that significantly impacted my management entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy were “The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind” by T. Harv Eker, “Battle Cry” by Jason Wilson, and “It’s About Damn Time” by Arlan Hamilton!

“The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind” by T. Harv Eker explores the mental attitudes and financial habits that differentiate wealthy individuals from those who struggle financially, emphasizing the importance of mindset and financial blueprints in achieving success.

“Battle Cry” by Jason Wilson provides practical advice and personal stories to help men confront and overcome emotional, mental, and societal challenges, encouraging them to embrace vulnerability and strength to live more fulfilling lives.

“It’s About Damn Time” by Arlan Hamilton shares her journey from homelessness to becoming a groundbreaking venture capitalist, offering insights and advice on how to harness ambition, resilience, and unique perspectives to achieve success against the odds.

Reading “The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind,” “Battle Cry,” and “It’s About Damn Time” has been transformative for me. These books collectively reshaped my mindset, teaching me the importance of cultivating a wealth-oriented mentality, embracing vulnerability, and harnessing resilience. They provided me with invaluable insights on overcoming challenges, fostering personal growth, and pursuing my goals with unwavering determination. Through their wisdom, I’ve learned to navigate my journey with a renewed sense of purpose and empowerment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://darylrileyjr.com
• Instagram: _dr.jr
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/daryl-riley-jr/
• Other: Tendaji Email: [email protected]

Image Credits

@blackambition @xander.foto @elevatedphotobooths and Daryl Riley, Jr.