We were lucky to catch up with Sam Basquiat recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sam, appreciate you joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?

I started Sorry I Was Trapping while I was living in California. I moved to Cali from Detroit with $400 in my pocket, my tattoo equipment and a feeling. I was able to create my brand and I knew that my idea was really good so I made sure to trademark my work, and I am so glad I did. After my brand went viral several times, out of nowhere one day I started to get screenshots, tags that my clothing, Sorry I Was Trapping, was being sold on Fashion Nova’s website and complaints about the quality. I was in shock but not surprised to be honest. I got a lawyer and began what has now turned into a 2 year battle with the billion dollar corporation. Being a young black designer originally from Michigan I am sure they didn’t think that I would be able to go this many rounds with them in court and they obviously underestimated me and didn’t think I had my trademark, but I am and will continue to do so. They not only stole my designs and started selling them they ignored a cease and desist from my lawyers for about a year. When we got in front of the judge it was very apparent that the designs were mine and he forced them to immediately stop selling my work. As I am fighting that lawsuit, I have had to fight also my trademark, recently finding out that Fashion Nova is working with a smaller clothing brand to try and cancel my trademark, this came directly out of the representative of Civil Clothing’s mouth to my lawyer. I have fought now 3 times to keep my trademark which costs me thousands of dollars out of pocket to fight each time, on-top of the tens of thousands I have spent already on the lawsuit, but I will not stop because right is right and wrong is wrong. This is the craziest thing I have had to deal with to date.

Sam, 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?

I have been designing clothing for a while, my first attempt at starting a clothing brand failed miserably. (Thank you to my family to bought it to support me.) Sorry I Was Trapping really just came to me one day while I was working and sleeping at the tattoo shop I was working at thousands of miles away from home. I have been able to create a lifestyle brand that has been worn by so many people around the world, it is very humbling and motivating. From designing my brand I have been able to have the opportunity to be a creative director for other brands, for example, this past summer I designed the tour merchandise for recording artist Skilla Baby.
I set my brand apart by keeping my thumb on the culture and being able to travel. I am present at all SIWT pop-ups and get to connect directly with the customers. I have been around the world because of clothes, that’s crazy for me to even say! I see my influence in other brands and see the the trends SIWT has set and its still surreal.
I truly appreciate every celebrity that has supported the brand, they have helped take SIWT to a different level of exposure but its the every day person who support Sorry I Was Trapping that really keeps me motivated to keep providing new drops.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Since day 1 Sorry I Was Trapping has been a fully independent brand. Everything comes out of my own pocket. I don’t have an investor, no loans, just me. It makes it very personal for me. I am able to continue to push my brand to the next level as well as take care of my family and my team/staff. Has it been hard? ABSOLUTELY but I have to say it’s been an amazing ride so far. I am not saying I wouldn’t accept an investor or get a loan one day, but as of right now and since the start, its all been on me. If you have faith and perseverance, there is nothing you can’t accomplish. I have had to sacrifice a lot but every sacrifice has been worth it all. Believing in yourself and having real faith in yourself and your creation will make you work to reach your goals and with good work ethic and education on things like protecting your creation and the business side of the industry you are in, there is nothing that can stop you. And a great team! I am forever grateful to my family, my manager Rockett and my team and all of those who continue to support the brand and myself.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new customers and repeat customers is that my brand has stayed true to its roots but also has been able to organically grown and offer our customers items that they will love and wear proudly. Also, the Sorry I Was Trapping pop-ups. Being able to meet the customers face to face and them to see me fully invested in my brand has helped as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sorryiwastrapping.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam.basquiat/

Image Credits

Recording Artist Skilla Baby
Eric Kofi Abrefa
Jalen Hyatt
Power
50 Cent
NFL Post
Hedge-fund (TikTok)
Manager: Rockett