Totem (Black Owned Anime Streetwear)

Hello everyone. It’s taken a lot of strength to be able to come out with this. Despite having fears of embarrassment, I came to the conclusion that I need to swallow my pride and do something I never ever find myself doing ever, which is ask for help.

I’ve always been a man that has been capable of taking care of myself. Some part of me always believed that asking for help was a sign of weakness. I believed that a man needed to stand in his own two feet and face things alone. But after being homeless for a year now, I am very tired of carrying this burden on my shoulders.

Totem

When I started Totem, I soon realized that people would rather wear art than hang it up on their walls. I wanted to be different than all the other clothing brands out there and really emphasize art and creativity combined with fashion for like minded people like myself, who are people searching for greater meaning in their life and for creatives and other lone wolves out there.

What I do

I create and develop unique and colorful streetwear from our artistic design that are inspired by other cultures such as Native and Asian cultures. I then work with many photographers and models through collaborations to provide our followers with amazing visuals of our clothing.

Overview

Below is an overview of my brand :)

and here some other video work



Challenges

There are risks that comes with entering into the highly competitive market of fashion, and more specifically streetwear. I want to break into this market, and I believe I can with the thought behind my designs and the quality of my product, but the most important factor to get there is through you - my supporters. What I make is not even close to meet the minimum requirement to cover my bills. Your pledge will be one of most important pillar, 'the lifeline' for me to keep continuing the project-- to raise awareness and shed light to the darkness of society. You all will ultimately be the most important part of our Brand. This is the Totem Pack.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Yes Totem is a business, but it is only run by one person. Me.

I work a full time job, run the business on my off days, while also living pay check to paycheck to remain off the streets. I am by definition homeless. Have been for the past year. I have been able to keep off the streets for the past few months since COVID19 by staying in hotel to hotel, but it isn’t a luxury. It’s very stressful not knowing where I may end up.

Keeping up with the brand is difficult but I manage as best as I can within the time that is available to me. I work 10 and a half to 11 hours a day at my full time job and manage the brand in between my breaks and end of day if Im not too tired from the work day.

There are days where I just want to give up. I do have my dark days. But I try not to lose sight for what I’m working so hard for. It’s
been almost 5 years since I started this in
2016. Both me and the brand has grown soo much since then. I know I still have a long road to go.

My goals currently are to work on building up inventory. Save up for a new laptop or tablet so I can get back to working on my digital art, manage my brand better and get back to writing my book. A new camera so I can get back into photography work. And finally, a stable living environment of my own.

Working on trying to reach one goal at a
time.

CURRENT GOALS:

1. Saving up for a laptop so I no longer have to do all my work on my phone. I’ll be able to return doing photoshop and video work for my brand. I haven’t been able to do any creative for more than a year because I don’t have the necessary tools. My wish is to get back into that.

2. Saving up for a camera so I no longer need to rely on other photographers to produce photos for me when I am capable of doingit myself. I’ll also be able to get back into my freelance work as a photographer.

Clothing:

Website and Socials

To see more of my work click the link below:

Website 

Instagram 

Twitter 

Running your own company is tough, especially when you don't receive support. I do my absolute best with the resources that I have but its still not enough and I realized now that I really need help.

I appreciate all the love from you all and a
very special thanks to those who donate!