Today we’d like to introduce you to Troy Barbour.
Hi Troy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my quest for entrepreneurship in the late 90’s my little sister (Nigeria) and some kids from the Queen Village Neighborhood In South Philly. I would pack up all of my old genesis games, VHS tapes, posters and books and we would have a yard sale. I remember us splitting up the money and I made my first 11.00, I thought I was rich.
A few years later, after the Y2K scare and 9/11, my uncle decided to move back to Philly. He pulled up in a white van that read “Visual Designs”( That was his design company). There wasn’t much black representation when it came to ownership so when I seen that, my mind was blown. He would hop out in different flavor timberlands, Enyce Velour with the matching du-rag, Mac Book and a wad of money. After hanging around him for a while, he would put me on to a lot of cultures. He also had a brand called “Boulevard Blockwear. I would run around school acting like it was my brand, traveling back and forth from Brooklyn to Philly putting people on to it. About ten years later… Wiz Just dropped “mesmerized”, Curren$y, Mac Miller, Wale, Drake and Cudi were killing it. I was a Web design & Interactive at the Art Institute of Philly. My guy J Love just dropped a clothing brand named “Passing Phuture” (Everything was about being retro/futuristic at the same time lol). I copped a tee then went to buy a hoodie from the legendary boutique “Abakus Takeout” in Chinatown.
I seen that so many brands were launching statement pieces. The designs were bold and some provocative. They were playing classic Black Moon and Nas inside the store. I instantly wanted parts by any means’ I called my Uncle and told him that we should team up and create a new brand. We dropped “Forty Thieves” in 2010 and it instantly took off. A couple of years later, we ended Forty Thieves due to creative differences. In 2012 I launched Eight n Eighty because I wanted something more personal that reflected me as a creative. I brought my videographer at the time Kash Jones / Cuzin Debo and we traveled around the country building this company from the ground up. Today Debo is still on the team with about ten other members and two new companies under the umbrella. I’m extremely grateful to have relevant companies that are continuing to scale up. My goal is to create unique shopping experiences for our customers. There is nothing more gratifying than a return customer or someone sharing a story on how great the customer service was. I’m looking to evolve and get into tech while having random pop-ups/markets around the world. The key is timing and patience.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
“First You want to step in the game they try to play you, then you drop a couple of hits look how they wave to you” – Jay-Z If I could sum up everything with one verse, it would be that. There has been several struggles and setbacks and you will always encounter several gatekeepers. If I can give any advice just understand that you are the bag. Do not initially look for a big team or a co-sign to endorse you. Do the homework and work on your presentation. Don’t be afraid to travel and take risks. Along the way I’ve re-evaluated a lot of my friendships and affiliations. Always be aware of those that only call to “Check up” when you’re winning. If there was a magic word for winning it would be sacrifice…Sacrifice and patience.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I run an umbrella company that I launched in 2012 “Eight n Eighty,” which represents the year I was born (’88). Under the umbrella falls brands “Cream By Eighty,” “I Got Your Black,” and design firm Eighty LABS. We have an amazing partnership with Studio 1144 located downtown LA. We do everything from screen printing to cut and sew. Bryan and I started years ago trying to maneuver our way through the industry. He was a client of mine introduced to me by Terrance from “DeadStox” in Sacramento. It’s crazy how organic references and meet-ups can change your entire trajectory. What sets me and my team apart from others is that we really live the lifestyles of our brands. For instance, I run “Cream” with my business partner OG Rob. We go by the “Young City Dwellers.” It’s basically a bunch of us from the city that strive for independence. We live by our own rules and standards and we wanted our merch to be a representation of that. If you see someone in a “Cream” piece we want it to be understood that they live by our same ethos. With “I Got Your Black,” I was sick of hearing about so many Black creatives who weren’t getting the credit they deserved. I wanted to create a platform for the best Black creatives I could find and put them behind a brand that would give them the credit they deserved. Our team has and is still working with the best in the industry. I’m also going to create a platform where we can give back to the community.’
I’m most proud of the fact that I am doing this independently with no “day job”. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth the struggle. I worked for years at hotels watching people check-in for festivals or business meetings etc. It was hard because I just wanted to get away, lol. I remember Vic Mensa came to the desk and asked for a toothbrush and he got pissed because we ran out. I was trying to squeeze in a business convo but he wasn’t trying to hear it at that point lmao (horrible position for cross-promotion)! Below is more information about each brand: Cream By Eighty – Cream is a brand that represents the independence of a young city dweller. In a city with big dreams and no means, we are forced to believe that 9-5s are the answer. We represent the select few that reject that way of life. I Got Your Black – I Got Your Black is a brand centered around all things Black culture. Through our content, we highlight the importance of Black community, Black love, and Black support. With our high-quality material and all-Black staff, we create statement pieces that encourage the initiative for us to always support each other as a people. Eighty LABS – Eighty LABS is a design agency that specializes in branding and streetwear. Our clientele ranges from Mitchell & Ness and Sneaker Politics to Solexchange and local brands around the country.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I can’t attribute any of my shortcomings or wins to “luck.” However, I will say, never count your money before you get it in your pocket. I remember calculating client lists and potential customers and my money would never come in as projected. I’ve learned never to rely on one person or project. I focus on learning methods to work on multiple projects at one time so I can have continual streams of income.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.CreamByEighty.com, www.IGYBClothing.com
- Instagram: @MadeByTroy; @CreambyEighty; @IGotYourBlackCo and @RosiePrintsLA
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH9r5K-vyFA&t=7s
Image Credits
Photographer @KidnTosh
