We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Klin Epps. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Klin below.
Hi Klin, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Never once was I told what oath or what options would be good for me if football doesn’t work out. So once I got it in my head that I won’t be called on Draft Sunday, an immediate switch turned on inside of me. I spent all the little money I had saved up until that point and went and bought as many pieces as possible to be the freshest man on campus at every event. I always would find ways to escape from reality through my fashion & through my opportunities to help others see their ability to replicate high fashion or the beauty they resemble when modeling. So this isn’t about making money for me. I want to be a mogul for entrepreneurs and business partners to feel they can come to me with an idea or opportunity and with my services or help, we can size the moment and deliver and unforgettable experience that you can’t find anywhere else. Reaching the level of endless fashion initiatives and opportunities, then I know the first part of our mission was completed. But that’s not the only impact I look to leave on this world.
Klin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I was originally playing Division 1 football but along the way I experienced a career ending injury (ruptured Achilles tendon). At that point, i had so much leadership and operational/administrative experience where I wanted to put it to work. I got into project management and the rest was history. Never looking at my path in dissatisfaction because every step was an opportunity to grow as a man. Along the way, I always had a passion for fashion and brands. So I wanted to come up with my own. The main thing that helped me choose Ricky Decisions as the name was due to every risk I’ve taken since birth to get where I’m at today.
Of course with every new journey, there will be triumph and lessons to learn but with each complication, there was a moment where I could see the growth in myself as a designer and fashion entity in Atlanta.
I provide my services through my personal brand and a multi media production company called “The Collection ATL “. Brand roll outs, media days, pop ups, mixer events, and etc for the events that we throw in Atlanta. As far as my brand, I’m a custom streetwear design brand. I don’t want to saturate my designs so I am very limited when drops are happening due to me wanting to maintain the exclusiveness within the brand.
I am most proud of being able to be apart of entities that not only give back to the fashion community but gives opportunities for others creators to explain their story and utilize the resources we offer to get there.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I graduated a dual major/minor in college which includes Healthy & Community Wellness and Biology as my majors along with Criminology and Coaching as my minors. So I had no real area of focus so I wanted to use the accumulation of all these areas to give me the best opportunity to be the best corporate individual for any company without seeming one dimensional. I was hired as a project manager but I soon last my role a couple months after starting due to the company moving in a different direction than explained. So I was at a place of no work and I felt even lower than I did before getting the position. I took the down time to really take a chance on myself and push my brand. Very uncomfortable for me to believe in myself even after not making it to the NFL, loosing my new job, or even nursing school. So I had to make something shake. The first person telling me that they adored my design and purpose behind it is when I knew I had found a purpose for myself outside of my current life situation. Me realizing I can bet on myself to create great fashion and a way for my family to eat is all I needed to realize.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Becoming a self designer where people can come to me in time of unique creativity. I want to be able to give any person a high quality item
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Kikodamac
- Facebook: Klin Epps
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k%E2%80%99lin-epps-1b7885177?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: Kikodamac
Image Credits
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