We recently connected with Justin Williams and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Justin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

GRWTH. – God Resides Within The Heart is not just a brand but a lifestyle crafted to assist those grappling with mental or spiritual challenges in their daily lives. Originating from a period of personal struggle during my undergraduate years, GRWTH. became a powerful support system, a constant reminder that I am not navigating life’s challenges alone. In sharing my journey, I discovered that others resonated with the message, and I chose clothing as a medium to spread this positive influence. Wearing any GRWTH. apparel serves as a daily reminder, not only to others but to oneself, that adversity is fleeting and within the Heart lies peace, strength, and resilience.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

What’s up y’all! My name is Justin, originally from Charleston, SC, and later moved to Rock Hill for my degree in Business Administration at Winthrop University. Growing up, I had a passion for supporting those facing mental barriers, emphasizing their strength and reminding them they’re not alone. Ironically, in doing so, I often neglected my own challenges.

Since middle school, I’ve been writing and journaling, initially focusing on poems and gradually incorporating free writing and creative elements like drawings. This creative outlet became crucial for me, providing a sense of peace and building a foundation I lacked before. In my junior year of college, I received a message from God to pursue GRWTH., initially just an acronym until “God Resides Within The Heart” revealed itself.

There was a time when I took a step back from fulfilling the brand. However, when my father passed away in 2021, it led me back to GRWTH., finally creating it to be what it was/is destined to be. GRWTH. became a purposeful endeavor, aligning finest-quality clothing with a powerful message. Wearing GRWTH. isn’t just about donning quality attire; it’s about exuding confidence, knowing you’re wearing something meaningful.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In the process of starting a business, it’s undoubtedly challenging as every detail, from documents to designs, needs to be meticulously addressed, and alignment with your manufacturer’s vision is crucial. However, there are times when life throws curveballs, leading to mental blocks. I encountered a significant hurdle around my birthday in September, inhibiting my full creative potential.

During this challenging period, I discovered a powerful mantra that not only rescued my thoughts about my brand but also positively impacted my approach to life in general: “everything is okay.” It’s not about things going to be okay or will be okay; it’s a recognition that everything is okay and fine in the present moment. The more I repeated this to myself, the more I found peace in every aspect, allowing me to regain my overall self as a person. This simple yet profound advice might be the best I can offer to anyone facing similar challenges.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I always used Instagram as an outlet to express my creativity even prior to promoting my brand . This why mainly by posting my poems, fashion, and through music. With having this already being my foundation , it was pretty easy with transitioning that to my GRWTH, IG page being that my audience already likes that part of what I display. In the end, it comes down to just being yourself , and allowing people to naturally flow to you. It’s not going to happen overnight , but what’s meant to be will be meant to be and the support will always be there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://grwthest21.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grwth.est21/

Image Credits
– @camxyou – @kapturedbynick