We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Zarius Fletcher. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Zarius below.
Zarius, thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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.
Auhlot means above limitations or limitless. The brand name Auhlot comes from growing up in Holly Grove, AR and feeling caged in because I could always see myself doing the greatest things in life despite where I grew up. Holly Grove is a small country poverty struck town with around 450 population. Growing up there is what made me realize that there had to be way much more to life than what I was seeing daily. On holidays everyone would come down to Holly Grove with their nice cars, clothes, happy family etc to have a good time with each other. Me seeing people with nice things and not having nice things myself is what worked my imagination. Not being able to afford the things that I wanted and my family barely making ends meet in poverty made me realize that I had limitations placed upon me. I was a gamer as well when I younger so this also played a role towards the name ‘Auhlot’. I made a playstation account named ‘Auhlot’ in 2015. At this time I didn’t think much of it but gaming was important because it was my escape from life. I told myself I did not want to live in that position forever so once I was old enough and graduated high school I moved to Little Rock. This was the best feeling ever and I felt like I broke out of every limitation placed upon me. I felt like I was in a box but when I moved I felt like my vision was starting to come true. Fast forward to 2023 Auhlot is launched to represent how limitless one actually is as long as they allow themselves to see that they are. The problem Auhlot is solving is letting people know that it is possible to rise above limitations. The approach I offered was basically me creating a world out of my upbringing and lifestyle. What has me most excited about Auhlot is that I get to express myself through clothing pieces and people love to wear my clothing.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hey, I’m Zarius Fletcher and I design clothing pieces. My clothing brand is Auhlot (uh-lot or a lot) which means no limitations. Before I started up Auhlot I was sneaker reselling under the name ‘ZayGotSoles’. Fashion has always been my thing in every way so selling shoes was definitely a passion of mine as well. Around 2020 my friend Jayson and I were making mockups of Auhlot tees. I wasn’t taking it as serious at that time because I wanted to focus on sneaker reselling. Fast forward to August 2023 I did my first Auhlot t-shirt launch. My brand not only brings quality but it has its own unique meanings and fitting. What sets me apart from others is that I’m not just making cool designs and selling them but I’m actually selling elements of my own lifestyle. I am most proud of when I see people wearing the brand looking nice and fly. My goal is to have 10K followers before 2024 is over along with crazy brand hype and demand. I want to grow with my supporters/followers as a community as well.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
A time I had to pivot was when I was starting my brand and I realized the ones close to me was either being envious or just not supporting what I had going on. In order for me to not worry about that and stay focus I had to remove those people out of my circle. The closest people to me just watched me and didn’t even try to support. This showed me who people really was and what type of people I shouldn’t let around me.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn that it’s not ok to talk to strangers. Strangers is the key to everything in each way when you want to grow in whatever area it is. Strangers will support you more than friends and family. If you really want to make connections and meet people talk to strangers. In this world everyone needs someone so just knowing family and friends is not enough at all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://auhlot.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auhlot_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550732057321
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClYBQE6cL0UZOo6DNg7_3eQ
Image Credits
Kenny The Great (https://www.instagram.com/kennythegreatt/) ShotByZay (https://www.instagram.com/z.shotit/) Auhlot (https://www.instagram.com/auhlot_/)