Industry Insider: Inverse Nanocephalic Apparel CEO Exclusive Interview for Fashion Gxd Magazine
Interview By: Samantha Cee
This month we sat down with Inverse Nanocephalic Apparel CEO Phrezh. Inverse Nanocephalic Apparel is a family brand. Not only do they have clothing for men, women and children but they have clothing that are designed by men, women and children. Phrezh does the majority of the designs himself. He allows his children J’Khi, Joell, Johann and Halo to design and have creative input. They help with everything from the style and color down to the pricing. Take a look at the exclusive interview with the rising brand.
Social Media Accounts
Instagram- @iamrealphrezh & @InverseNanocephalicApparel
Facebook- PhrezhToDeath, iamrealphrezh, Phrezh- Owner of IN Apparel
Twitter- @InverseNanocephalicApparel & @getinapparel
Fashion Gxd Magazine: How did the idea for your business come about?
Phrezh: The idea for my business started back in 2011. I was customizing clothes for myself and a small bunch of clients. One day while distressing some jeans for a co-worker my mother asked me why I didn’t just start my own clothing line. Two weeks later my LLC was registered. I had my wholesale license and was ready to go. Back then I was using a different name and logo but time and growth helped me to make the change. The brand is a direct reflection of me and my views.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?
Phrezh: I don’t really look to bring people into my organization. I trust myself to bring my vision to life like no one else can but every now and then I cross paths with like minded individuals who understand how impactful fashion can be. That type of organic relationship is priceless. Right now my best employee is my 6 year old son Joell. He see’s how passionate I am and how hard I work to make sure my business is successful and it makes him work just as hard. He’s also a kid that understands ownership and loves to create. It’s amazing because it allows me the comfortably to set him free and watch what he comes back with and know it’s going to be his best effort. He’s designed pieces for our kids collection as well as our men’s and women’s collection.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: What three pieces of advice would you give to other children who want to become entrepreneurs?
Phrezh: The first piece of advice I would give to children who want to become entrepreneurs is to never let anyone talk you out of your dreams based on their fears. In life people will tell you that you can’t do something not because they truly feel you can’t do it but because they can’t figure out how to do it themselves. The second piece of advice would be, never set goals based on others ' accomplishments. People get so caught up in what and when other people are doing things that they lose sight of their own journey. On my path to becoming a fashion designer I watched people with no real interest in fashion start clothing lines and become successful well before me. I constantly had to remind myself to keep my eyes on my paper. If I stopped doing what I was doing because of what they were doing I wouldn’t be where I am right now. The last piece of advice I would give is to be open to change. As an entrepreneur is it very rare that things are going to happen exactly as you planned them out. Understanding that and being about to adjust is going to determine how far you’ll go.
Fashion Gxd Magazine :If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Phrezh: If I could start over again the one thing I would change is definitely investing in myself early. When I first started my clothing line I staggered because I was looking for financial loans and grants to fund the business. Doing that held me back because while I was getting those no’s I wasn’t doing anything else. When I started putting my own money up I saw more results.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur ?
Phrezh: I don’t actually think it takes any specific skill to be successful no matter what you’re doing. I think it’s more of a mindset that you have to have. Determination, passion and desire are more valuable than any specific skill. Growing up I was naturally good at math and science. In the 8th grade I was taking classes and Rutgers, dissecting animals and comparing their DNA to humans but I was never interested in it so nothing ever came of it. My mother still tells me I should be a doctor or a teacher but I know I could never do it because my heart isn’t in it. When it came to art I was never the most talented person in the room. I was never naturally good at any specific technique but I loved drawing so much I studied and learned and pushed myself so I could be in competition with whoever was the most skilled person in the room.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
Phrezh: My biggest failures whether in the fashion world or in my everyday life have always come from self doubt. The quickest way to not succeed at something is to tell yourself you can’t do it. I remember applying for a job thinking “they’ll never hire me” and ripping up the application. Two weeks later I went back and filled out the application again after giving myself a pep talk. Not only did I get the job but they told me had I applied earlier I could’ve been a supervisor but they already filled the position a couple days ago. It taught me to acknowledge my doubts and then prove myself wrong.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: How many hours do you work a day on average?
Phrezh: That’s a hard question to answer. I’m always working. I have a full-time job where I work 10 hours a day four days a week but it’s also a work from home job so while I work I have my laptop or my iPad up on the side making designs. On my days off from my full-time job I’m promoting, networking, and/or designing. If i’m laying down and I have an idea pop up I write it down or draw it out. I take advantage or every second I get.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: Describe/outline your typical day?
Phrezh: My typical day starts at around 3 in the morning. I get up and work out and shower before the kids get up. My daughter is usually the first one up at 6:30 and she’s potty training now so we sit on the potty and brush her teeth. By this time it’s somewhere between 6:50 and 7:10 so it’s time to get my second oldest up so he can get ready for school. I make breakfast and by that time my second youngest is up and ready to eat. After everyone eats I wash the dishes and clean up before it’s time for work. While I’m at work I’m also working on getting new apparel designed. Typically the boys will take their showers before I get off. When I get off it’s time to cook dinner and after dinner I bathe my daughter. Once she’s bathed we all sit down and watch a movie until it’s time for bed. Once they fall asleep I take a moment to watch whatever I really want to watch and work on my business a little more. Then I get myself ready for bed so I can wake up and do it all again.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Phrezh: Entrepreneurship for myself has motivated my family to go out and live their dreams as well. My older sister is opening an online beauty supply store. My younger sister is selling her pastries and paintings. My oldest boys are taking an interest in fashion and help me whenever they get a chance. Entrepreneurship has really become a family affair.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: What motivates you?
Phrezh: My children are my constant motivation. Aside from my children I am my own motivation. Anyone who is looking to be an entrepreneur is going to need self motivation because nobody is ever going to push you harder than you push yourself. I have to create a better living situation for them than what I received as a child. I failed at giving them the opportunity to grow up in a household with their mother and their father in the same house so I have to make sure I don’t fail them anywhere else. My sons want to live in a house with a treehouse and a tire swing for their sister in the backyard with a basement just for their toys and video games. I have to get them that and not because I want them to have material things to fulfill their happiness but because I want them to see that they can have anything in the world if they’re willing to work for it.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: How do you generate new ideas?
Phrezh: Generating new ideas come from everywhere. Art imitates life so most things come from my experiences past, present, and future. I also have some collaborations in the works with other designers. I don’t want to talk too much about those pieces but just be on the lookout for it.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Phrezh: My biggest sacrifice is how I spend my time. I can’t tell you how many phone calls I’ve gotten to go out and party and turned them down to make sure I’m furthering my business. I’ve sacrificed relationships with family and friends. Anybody who can’t see my vision isn’t worth the effort it would take to keep them entertained. I’d rather let them watch the success from afar if they can’t cheer when they’re close.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: Where do you see yourself and your business in 10 years? 20 years?
Phrezh: 10 years from now Inverse Nanocephalic Apparel is going to be a worldwide brand. I’ll also have two other businesses we won’t talk about right now just stay tuned. In 20 years my kids will be running those businesses and I’ll be talking about how proud I am of them.
