We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marvin Autry a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Marvin, appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I have seen many designers say they started with a bulk of blanks and found an efficient way to finance their logo on the blanks. However, I was blessed with a village that saw my potential, that saw my vision clearer than I ever did, that knew with a little push, we would. have something special.

And one day, they gave me that push, the push that changed my life and I could no longer be hesitant. The push I never knew I needed but forever am indebted to them for. Kyle Marshall and Gregory Crouch, two people that do not get enough credit for Talk To Me About Money, LLC and our story from conception. Eternally grateful for you family, looking forward to everything we accomplish, up until our last days.

Through my recent journey of starting a brand, failing, learning and creating; there are SO many steps to rolling out a new product. Finding a trustworthy and an overall capable manufacturer is important, but to me, releasing items that people not only will buy but continue to wear. I love seeing people wear and post the material that I released from years ago. The thought of my brand being timeless, is the overall goal of everything I have in the plans for Talk To Me About Money, LLC.

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.

My name is Marvin Autry, CEO of Talk To Me About Money, LLC, born and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland. While living a short trip away from DC, the thriving black culture was always visible. The GoGo music, sports, fashion, black entertainment is everywhere. Being young and calling PG County home, you really do not understand what you are exposed to right outside your door. Experiencing food, music and fashion that originates from the beautiful, black people in my community helped raise me to create a streetwear brand that not only can be worn in one of the most predominantly black counties in the nation.

As I sit back, create and watch all of my supporters wear my brand I have to give flowers to the county that created this canvas for me. Forever grateful, forever love.

From Murrland, with Love.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Relatability. It is hard for any consumer to spend their money willingly on something that does not related to them. Which makes it so much easier to market a brand called, “Talk To Me About Money”. It catches your attention. When you wear it, people look, comment, ask where they can get one or even better! Ask can they buy it off your person (Yes, this has happened to me on many occasions).

So for me, the most effective strategy for growing my clientele is to simply, talk to them about money.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I tell everyone “Talk To Me About Money, LLC” was almost forced upon me, I mean it. Some of the closest people to me, my line brothers, Gregory Crouch and Kyle Marshall decided that they believed in my vision and creativity so much that they were investing in my brand to start now, whether I was ready or not. I remember it like it was yesterday. A Sunday, where we were having a business meeting in the city, brunch with a couple drinks of course. We are telling each other our goals, some our dreams and just what we would do with our opportunities if we were blessed with them. While all in the same breath, I receive an apple pay and cash app notification with their names on it. $3,000 and a custom website and never asked for anything in return. Something I still have to wrap my brain around and probably still take for granted but a story I will never stop sharing. Family that will travel with me to the moon and back cause that’s where I am taking this brand!

Contact Info:

• Website: talktomeaboutmoney.com
• Instagram: talktomeaboutmoney_

Image Credits
Rashad Robinson Christopher Coston