Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Donald Sutton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Donald 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.
My nephew was born in September of 2021 and I was currently doing warehouse work across the country. In order to be home for his birth I had to create a gameplay that alloted me to make the same current pay or more. Starting out I was a jersey and shoe reseller and then the idea hit me in the middle of the night in my sleep. I basically had a conversation with God in my sleep and during that moment God Always Manages Everything…The G.A.M.E Store was created. Game is a double entendre while always honoring and keeping our Heavenly Father first the flipside to that is I wanted to provide men “game”. The ability to be so fashionably fly that he didnt have to utter a word whereever he went because all eyes would be on him. In 2023 was whenever I first knew I wanted to create my own clothing line. I knew I wanted to create something that represented our culture and resilience and Intelligent Man Blessed Like a Confident King (I.M.B.L.A.C.K) was started. I couldnt leave the women out so I also did I Manifest Blessings like a Confident Queen (I.M.B.L.A.C.Q). Individually we are phenomenal apart but as a unit we create magic together so I love to use the “chess” analogy. The King is the most important piece on the board but the Queen is the most powerful. The idea to create this brand was to formulate an affirmation for the younger kids to look at their skin a token of love and not a detriment. My biggest emotional moment that I knew I was on the right path was I was part of a fashion show in Charlotte North Carolina and how well received my brand was. To get that much love in the biggest market of my state was eye-opening. I knew this was a worthwhile endeavor for me due to the feedback I receive as far as the logo and the acronym of the brand. Everyone loves what G.A.M.E stands for and the I.M.B.L.A.C.K/I.M.B.L.A.C.Q just takes it over the top.
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.
I got into the industry by happenstance. I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer at some point and the idea offically came to me whenever I wanted to buy some new attire and I said to myself. “Why buy from another brand whenever I can take that money and make my own?” So whenever I was doing my promo mockups eventually ads would pop-up on my social media accounts and I found this one manufacturer that I connected with and we’ve been creating phenomenal apparel everysince. I offer letterman jackets, crop-top letterman jackets, hoodies, tshirts, blazers, bathrobes and multiple types of different bags.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
No matter what it is you’re doing or want to achieve just make sure you keep God in everything you do. In this industry it definitely takes money to make money so I even rejoined the workforce momentarily to make sure my dreams could still be properly funded. Life be lifing and I’ve taken multiple financial hits over the past year and a half but I had to ensure my brand continues to thrive.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Outside of fusing music and my brand together i actually have a conversation with the fashionistas and those whom my brand might align with. I ask people their favorite colors, what type of apparel is their favorite and what type of fabrics are their favorite.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Finnellsutton
- Facebook: D finnell sutton
