Today we’d like to introduce you to Berris Henry Jr.
Berris, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I first started selling clothes around 2015-2016 under a brand called “LFWS”. The acronym stood for “Learn Fast Win Slow” and was used as a self-motivator for myself and my friends. The goal was to create some sort of positive affirmation, so I added the street I grew up on (Winslow Ave.) with Learn Fast. We went on for about two years hosting pop-up shops selling shirts, hoodies, and shorts before we evolved into “GNC”. I was in college at the time, and they were talking about how people loved traditional or familiar things, and that’s when it hit me. I’m from Buffalo, NY aka “The City of Good Neighbors” and the word club was stuck in my head for months, so I just put them both together. On January 18th, 2018, I went to city hall for a DBA, and Good Neighbors Club was born. I then continued to use the same formula I used to grow LFWS for GNC, and here we are today. About 10+ pop-up shops, an online store, and we’re currently working on opening up a storefront in NY.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It may look like it’s been a smooth road from the outside, but it’s been really difficult. Some of the struggles I’ve faced are managing school, and my personal life and still working every day to build my brand. Finding good manufacturers that have the perfect quality and affordable prices isn’t easy also, but falling out with business partners because of ego or poor communication has probably been one of the worst things.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I would categorize myself as a student, artist, and professional. I am currently in my last semester at Buffalo State University for a business marketing degree. For years, I worked as a carpenter under my granddad’s company but I have goals of starting a non-profit. I draw out all my clothing designs, and as a hobby, I write and record music. I’m most proud of creating Good Neighbors Club and staying consistent even when I felt like quitting. Our end goal was to bring certain areas of the city together and create a scene, and I feel like we’ve completed that mission. What sets me apart is my positive energy, I’m very spiritual and I feel like I’ve carried over the love people have for me onto GNC. This is great because I feel it’s best to pour into something more than yourself.
How do you think about happiness?
Being able to help other people because it all comes back.
Pricing:
- Hats $35
- Shorts $50
- Sweat pants $60
- Hoodies $80
- Shirts $50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goodneighborsclub.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Goodneighborsclub/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GOODNEIGHBORSCLUB/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/GOODNEIGHBORSHQ
Image Credits
@whois_akil @leemsworld @creativeconnect
