Meet Nytevea Brownridge Hagood of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nytevea Brownridge Hagood.

Hi Nytevea, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We started this brand on a mission to bridge two of our greatest passions: building generational wealth and high-quality fashion. We believe everyone is a ‘hustla’ in their own way, but with the right financial literacy and a shift in mindset, they can evolve into million-dollar hustlas. Our authority comes from personal experience; by age 30, we became debt-free with a combined net worth of over $200k. We realized that while most fashion brands chase trends, they often overlook the community impact. We exist to change that narrative. The journey hasn’t been a walk in the park. As a self-funded, Black-owned company, we’ve navigated everything from job losses to manufacturing hurdles. Those trials led us to invest in our own screen-printing equipment and partner with USA-based manufacturers, cutting down production times and reclaiming our story. Now in our fifth year, with a digital footprint of over 40k views and a loyal community of 500+ followers across Instagram and TikTok, we are just getting started. Our goal for our Fall/Winter 2026 collection isn’t just about apparel—it’s about building the capital to reinvest in youth wellness spaces, literacy campaigns, and clothing drives. We aren’t just building a brand; we’re building a legacy of resilience and authenticity that will impact our community for generations.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building a brand with a mission to bridge generational wealth and fashion has been anything but a smooth road. Our journey is a testament to the belief that every “hustla” can evolve into a million-dollar success through faith, determination, and an unwavering commitment to their community. Here are the key struggles we’ve navigated and how they shaped our resilient infrastructure: Our 2022 launch was an incredible success, with our exclusive jogger merchandise selling out completely. However, our second year brought “extreme hardships” that tested our resolve. At the end of 2023, I lost my job, which effectively paused our primary source of funding. Instead of letting this setback define us, we used it as data to refine our strategy, a key practice in building business resilience. One of our biggest early challenges was relying on third-party overseas manufacturers. This led to production delays, i.e. month-long wait times, that stalled our growth. Working with partners who didn’t fully align with our vision resulted in inventory we couldn’t use. To close the gap between high-end production and social responsibility, we decided to bet on ourselves. In 2024 and 2025, we invested in professional screen-printing equipment, including a Riley Hopkins 250 4 Color 2 Station Screen Printing Press. This pivotal move removed the month-long wait times by bringing production in-house eliminated production bottlenecks. It allowed us to partner with USA-based manufacturers and focus on our digital footprint. We’ve spent the last five years building a rock-solid foundation so we can directly reinvest in initiatives like youth wellness spaces and homeless clothing drives. Despite not participating in a pop-up event since 2023, our commitment to digital visibility has gained significant traction, with over 40,000 views on TikTok and Instagram. As a Black-owned company, we know that empires aren’t built in a day. We are currently seeking angel investors to help us scale these community initiatives as we prepare to launch our first fall/winter collection in Fall 2026. We are living proof that setbacks are not endpoints, but essential steppingstones for those building a legacy.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
By day, I am a specialized accountant managing the business affairs of high-net-worth individuals, from entrepreneurs to actors and real estate moguls. In the professional world, I am known for my reliability, skill, and the precision required to manage complex financial portfolios. However, I am equally defined by my role as an artist and the Founder/CEO of The Hustla Lifestyle. Through this brand and my poetry shared on Instagram and YouTube, I’ve carved out a unique space where financial literacy meets creative storytelling. I am most proud of my ability to excel in both worlds without compromising one for the other. What sets me apart is the raw authenticity of my journey. I’ve built my brand from the ground up with nothing but a ‘mustard seed of faith’ and a relentless work ethic. I am incredibly proud of releasing my poetry to the world, pushing past self-doubt to share my voice. While there are days of uncertainty, the true ‘fruit of my labor’ appears whenever a client feels inspired by my financial journey, a reader connects with a poem, or a customer wears our apparel. Those moments remind me that I am living my purpose: building a legacy that proves you can be both a master of your craft and a master of your soul.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I believe there is no reward without some level of risk—personally, professionally, or financially. Building a brand from scratch in a saturated market is daunting, but for us, the biggest risk isn’t failure; it’s the risk of not living the life we’ve envisioned. We have chosen to ‘bootstrap’ our brand, self-funding our growth to maintain full autonomy and avoid the weight of high-interest debt. This path requires a high tolerance for short-term sacrifice for long-term gain. A prime example was our decision to invest in professional screen-printing equipment during a period of low revenue. It was a bold move, but it was a calculated risk. We don’t just take risks; we think through every decision with a big-picture goal in mind: creating a lasting, positive impact in our communities. Risk can be scary and often misunderstood by those on the outside, but anything truly worth having requires the courage to step out of your comfort zone. In the end, we are strategic because we understand that risk is a brand signal—it shows we are willing to be bold to prove that our mission is more important than our fears.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thehustlalifestyle.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehustlalifestyle/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehustlalifestyle/?checkpoint_src=any#
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzHrul_hiCkw2rH1gdHK5gA

Image Credits
Zay Monae, SteVVen