RBHS basketball Coach Quentin Mitchell types away at his computer in the Loss of Privilege room, furrowing his brow as accidental keystrokes slowed the progress of finishing his desired email. His large build is covered by a short-sleeved collared shirt, orange in its entirety. All except a small area upon his lower left pectoral decorated with a small blue logo, a capital Q with Da Vinci’s Vitruvian man in the center.
For the better half of a decade, Mitchell has run Quentin Mitchell Clothing Designs by himself, originally inspired by his peers’ compliments on his clothing.
“People always commented on the clothes that I wore,” Mitchell said. “So I figured, if people like what I wear maybe I should just make my own [clothes].”
The company began as merely an idea first, but several years later it was a reality.
Starting small, Mitchell was able to grow with time and financial research.
“It came into real life in about 2004, and it’s grown increasingly since then,” Mitchell said. “I did it the smart way, I did my research. I got to know my area, and I worked hard.”
Having been raised with the motto to ‘never give up,’ Mitchell strives to create clothing that embodies the ideals he wishes to send out to the world, motivating him again and again.
“My clothes represent individuality, expression and style,” Mitchell said. “These are what make me, me. And it’s what keeps me going.
Unintentionally, Mitchell has begun to network at RBHS through supportive students. As he spent time with students, they took notice of his brand.
“I just kind of found out about his company because I was always seeing his stuff in LOP,” senior Lorenzo Williams said. “I was hyped on it. I’m actually trying to buy one of his shirts.”
Students are not Mitchell’s only supporters. Many faculty members assisted Mitchell in getting his business started. Both Success Center Counselor Melissa Coil and Physical Education teacher Justin Conyers aided Mitchell in promoting his company by modeling his clothes in a promotional video for Q Mitchell Clothing Supply’s website.
“I think it’s great when anyone pursues their dreams and goes out and does their own thing, it is a big deal and something that you should support,” Coil said. “He’s got great quality stuff — and it is all on point with being ‘in’.”
Mitchell’s company has come a long way. His business was just an idea for a long time, and he learned the steps it takes to take a vision to a success. He researched, created prototypes and started minuscule, using the funds available to him. Mitchell uses his personal experience to encourage his students in LOP to dream big and fight for that dream.
“It helps the kids in here realize that a lot’s doable,” Mitchell said. “They see me, an average person, owning a clothing company. It gives them encouragement that they can do all they want.”
Mitchell plans to keep his company going as long as possible, with no dependency on how large its success rate could probably increase or decrease in future years. He’s considering possibly going off into other business ventures as well.
“Once I start something, I stick with it. It’s just who I am,” Mitchell said. “I am always going to try new things in the world of entrepeneuring. It’s what I like to do, and I’ll still try [to] express myself in the process.”
By George Sarafianos