New Sneakers: Michigan-Winters

In case you weren't able to sneak the preview at the All City Kicks shop, I figured I'd be nice and also post them on-line for the world to see. About this time of year in the northern states people are itching for Spring. In my case, I've been itching like an addict for warm weather since the season's first snow fall months ago. My tipping point was last week after West Michigan was dumped on with snow and ice day after day after day. To temper frustrations I took an old school pair of Nike Air Forces and for lack of a better word, was inspired by Michigan's extremly cold, but also extremely beautiful, winter landscapes. Visit www.twaycustoms.net for more pictures!

Get Rich by Making Others

This surfaced as I was doing the Twitter rounds. It's an article/blog post by Scott Henderson with his earth-shattering announcement: "The only sustainable way for you to create wealth for yourself is by improving the lives of others." Specifically he's talking about Starbucks and all of their "charitable" contributions and events that make their $5 cup of specialty coffee a way to benefit much more than just their corporation but rather to positive impact and attempt to change our world. Read or even just skim through this article. I think it has a good message and with all the scandals in the news from big corporations government agencies, it sheds some positive light - specifically on Starbucks. So you wanna get rich? Then make others around you...Click HERE for the article link.

"MI Winters" Sneaker Preview at ACK

Only at the All City Kicks sneaker and streetwear boutique in downtown Grand Rapids could you get a preview of the latest T.WayCustoms creation before it even gets posted on the web. Make sure to take a trip to ACK (on the corner of Division and Cherry) to see the Nike Air Forces recently completed. This pair draws inspiration from the freezing cold, yet very beautiful Michigan winters. To get the preview of the preview, visit their website/blog: AllCityKicks.net or click [HERE] to see the picture.

The LeBrons: Behind the Scenes

Rip It Fuel

Yessir. You know who it is.

Featured on KicksOnFire.com

One of the better sneaker blogs I keep posted on a daily basis is KicksOnFire.com which just featured the 6th pair of sneakers I completed for Rip. Check out the post HERE and make sure to bookmark their sneaker blog. You know if it's something I check everyday, then they've got to be doing things right! Thanks to Jazerai Lord from KicksOnFire.

Two More Join

As if having the 10-person creative group on the T.WayCustoms team wasn't enough, today I met with two other individuals. The professor of advertising that heads up the creative team I met with last night told one of his young public relations professionals about the project. Short story shorter, she wanted in. And she mentioned it to one of her friends, and he definitely wanted in as well. So what's that mean? In less than 24 hours I was seriously blessed with a full-service design team AND two public relations specialists. Shorter story shorterer, expect freakin' sweet things to come out of T.WayCustoms soon!

Polishing Center Creative Group

Last night I met with the Polishing Center, a portfolio-building creative advertising group in Grand Rapids, to introduce them to the T.WayCustoms brand. I was very fortunate to be asked to serve as their client. What does that mean, Tyler?? Good question. Basically they are a 10-person creative team very similar to an advertising agency who offer numerous creative services that each team member will use their experience here as a portfolio builder. Their team is comprised of graduate & undergraduate young advertising professionals directed by a professor of advertising that choose a client to work with for a few months. Essentially all of their services would equal out to around $500,000 worth of services - but thankfully T.WayCustoms was chosen as the client and offered services without charge. Umm...WOW, Yes please - sign me up!

The main project the team will be working with me on is the apparel company that will be branched off from the T.WayCustoms/Tyler Way brand. That's about all I'll say about this until the time is right - so consider this a top secret operation! But don't worry, I'll give you all the insight as we go along - I gotcha!

#44 Sworn In

He may have spoke out of turn and forgot some of the words (haha), but Barack is now officially the 44th President of the United States. I don't care if you like it or not, it's important we support and pray for our leaders to guide our country - especially through this difficult time.

January 20, 2009

Watch the Inauguration today! Everyone should be watching the Inauguration at some point today because it is history currently being written - so you've just have to give your respects to that. 

He Had a Dream...

It certainly seems like this year's MLK Day has much more meaning and significance in American society than in years past. Not only is today a celebration of his life and his meaning to our country, but in addition to tomorrow's inauguration, it seems to be ushering in a new America - in a sense. Coming from a majority-white community in Brighton, my K-12 years were not very diverse with the exception of my basketball career. It really wasn't until my college-years did I really begin to enter the world. I was able to spend my summers in the metro-Detroit area working with the Pistons and then when I moved out to Grand Rapids I was able to really become a part of society. It frustrates me to see people yet today with such racist views, no matter what generation they are. The greatest Commandment was to love your neighbor as yourself, and there's no excuse not to follow that one. Nobody is born a bigot - God bless & be easy!

New Sneakers...Wait, No. New Headphones??

Upon special request, a friend wanted me to put my touch on the best pair of headphones in the business: "Beats by Dre." Visit GalleryThree on the T.WayCustoms website to view pictures.

My Movie Review: Notorious

Last night I went to the Notorious movie the day after its national release. The only thing I knew about the movie going into it was that it was about Biggie, but that was it. My official review about the movie was that it was fairly well done, but probably not the greatest. It seemed a bit like an "on TV" movie rather than a big screen flick. The movie touched on what most know about Biggie but in a much more personal manner. The part about the Tupac shooting and the East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry made me wonder about the reaction of their "side of the story" by those who sided on their opponent's West Coast side. Overall I'd say it'd be a good movie to view - it's pretty touching and celebrates what Biggie accomplished in his short time while could be motivating for some to get off the streets and work towards their dreams. But remember, always keep the faith.

Keith Boykin Presentation

I just got back from a presentation on Grand Valley State's campus which featured speaker Keith Boykin. I didn't know too much about this man until they introduced his resume of current jobs with BET, CNBC, and his past working in the White House and a Harvard Law student alongside Barack Obama, etc. What I got out of his speech most was the notion of not worrying about what others think and say. His overall message was to be you, and do you - a message I've adopted from the very beginning of T.WayCustoms. First you must believe in yourself and have in confidence in that. If you don't, then how could you expect others to? Then, as you face decisions and obstacles, you must follow your heart and do what YOU feel is the right thing to do - even if it's not the easiest option or if those close to you disagree with it. Follow your heart and good things will happen...just don't be stupid.

T.WayCustoms Blogged About...

This is  one of those things that somehow get away from you, but nonetheless it deserves to be made known. The tables turned a little bit on this one. Instead of myself blogging about a brand or event, etc., this clothing company out of the east coast/Virginia area blogged about T.WayCustoms. One of their founders traveled up my way in Brighton for a wedding and so we got to know each other on some level. Read about what he had to say HERE on their blog and check out some of their goods as well! Who knows, maybe that collaboration video I posted earlier may come into play...? Ha.

Souldub: Blind Pig Show!

They are dope. Period. I don't know what else I could possibly say about them because my words could never do them justice. Just make sure to check out their site, www.darkreggae.com and become apart of this revolution! They're doing a crazy show Thursday the 29th of this month at the historic Bling Pig in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Make sure to cop your tickets now because they are limited and close to being sold out...I've already put a few on reserve for myself and friends to make the trip - you do the same!

The Cult of Collaboration

I actually found this video awhile ago on one of the sneaker/streetwear blogs I daily check and thought it was worth my attention and therefore worthy of yours as well. There's another great website that offers videos that are very educational and feature some of the greatest speakers in the business. I'll be sure to share that with you in the near future.

Current Projects: Michigan Winters, Beats by Dre

After Rip's 6th pair: the Father & Son, it's time to move on to other projects...but with a very heavy school load with all these Advertising Capstone classes, it's not easy to find a project that is big enough to work on but yet small enough to still be possible - which is why I've had to temporarily delay the LeBron project. I've had his size 16-Forces sitting on my desk for awhile now, but things just have been very difficult to fit into a schedule. My targeted date for that project is later this winter/early this spring. So what am I working on now? This week I've been working on a pair of Nike's that were inspired by Michigan's winters. I'll leave it at that - so stay posted to see the result! The second project is a newbie for me: headphones. But we're not talking about just any headphones...ohh no, no, no. These are the "beats by dre" headphones. Keep the lookout for the end result on these ones also!...

Rip Hamilton sneakers - Father & Son

His fiance hoped to keep these sneakers a surprise for his February birthday present...That plan was quickly broken as Rip persistently asked and requested to see his sixth pair of T.WayCustoms sneakers. This pair was one of my most special simply because since "Little Rip" (aka "Deuce") was born last October, I've been able to witness how Rip's life has changed with the birth of his first son. Click HERE to see more pictures at the T.WayCustoms Sneaker Galleries, then pick "GalleryThree" to view. Or you can see these custom sneakers displayed at Rip's house in the custom glass-enclosed sneaker/display box. (For the complete story about these shoes and the "supposed-to-be-surprise" dilemma, read a couple posts below this one)

Grade A

Yet another semester began today for me at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This could potentially be my last one...but chances are I'll be back next fall to finish up the major and minor. A lot of people have either been surprised that I was still in college or that I haven't yet "dropped out" to further pursue the business. But a degree is very important to me. Not saying that you absolutely need one, because I have learned way more outside of the classroom than I ever could in a text book. An extremely talented designer in the clothing industry was told he had all the talent and skill for the job, but "legally" the company could not hire him because he didn't have a degree of any kind. 

Last semester was a success. So much so that it yielded three A's and a couple A-'s on the side...! This semester may be a little bit more difficult however. With a few capstone classes down my final steps to an Advertising and Public Relations degree, my time will be extremely limited. That's my main concern...will I have enough time to satisfy both my business aspirations and my scholastic? The LeBron project is definitely still in the works - but now I have to re-strategize as to when and how I'd be able to accomplish such. No matter the time crunch, even if I don't ever get to sleep, I will make this work for not only this business, but for the reason why I'm doing this...

For those of you going back to school, good luck! Keep your head level and work harder than everyone else. God bless & be easy!

Broken Surprise

I spoke with Rip's assistant/best friend today and he updated me on Rip's birthday gift surprise. The problem with the surprise was that Rip already knew I was bringing the shoes to the game, so it would have been difficult for his fiance to come up with a great excuse as to why he wouldn't be receiving them for another month, ha. Apparently Rip kept asking his fiance and assistant/friend about the shoes so they had no choice but to fold and give him the shoes, haha. I was told that Rip loves the shoes and was more than pleased! The meaning behind the shoes are very deep and important to Rip because as I've gotten to know him and see his baby begin to grow, I've noticed the pride and love he has in him. Uncle Wes has mentioned to me in the past how Deuce has changed Rip and his life, and I felt inspired to create these shoes to express and celebrate that connection. I know by now you're beggin' to see the shoes - so I'll make sure to post some pictures within the next few days.

THE Story: Delivering Shoes to Rip - Haha

*RIP, IF YOU'RE READING THIS THEN YOU NEED TO STOP AND GO BACK...THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE KEPT SECRET FROM YOU! ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS THEN JUST CALL OR TEXT FOR CLARIFICATION.

New Year's Eve day the Pistons played the Nets at 3PM, so I texted Rip and let him know I'll have his shoes available to deliver at the game. So he left me two tickets and passes. But The Palace of Auburn Hills changed their entire backstage access policy. In the past I was given a pass and was able to be in the back by the locker rooms and did my business back there with the players, etc. But for some reason, the NBA apparently forced the Pistons to limit the backstage access to literally players and coaches, ONLY. Of course Worldwide Wes has free reign to go wherever he wants - but I'm only considered a Wes Jr. by some, haha. 

Back to the story of Rip: The night before the game I e-mailed a picture of the shoes to Rip's best friend/personal assistant and he showed them to Rip's fiance. They both loved the shoes, and Rip's fiance even wanted to buy the shoes herself and give them to Rip as a birthday gift in February. After half time I was talking with Rip's assistant and fiance about this and was trying to decide if it'd be possible to come up with a story for Rip as to why HE wasn't getting the shoes that day, and if Rip's fiance would be able to pull off the surprise without Rip finding out or asking too many questions. Since Rip didn't play because of a groin injury, I was actually texting him back-and-forth during the game and ended up telling him I'd give the shoes to his assistant and fiance since the new security system is so freakin STUPID now. So that's where we stand right now: Rip's fiance will be trying to hide the shoes from Rip until his February birthday, ha. I'll keep you posted about how and if this will be possible - haha. 

Happy New Year!

Hope you had a great and safe New Year's Eve last night as you brought in 2009 with family and friends. Personally I feel like 2009 will be a break out year - even with an economy like this one. So make sure to stay on your hustle and make things work for the right reasons...but remember, the best things in life are Free. So keep your priorities straight while you (and we) do big things this year! God bless & be easy!