Episode 22: Conversation Transcript
Dydine 1:02
How was the shoot?
Cody 1:05
The shoot was really cool to be very straightforward with you. This was one of my like first or second like a real paid model shoots most of the time I do it for my friends that have upcoming brands and things like that. And I'm in the process of building my model portfolio. And I knew upfront and they made sure I knew up front several times that it was an underwear shoe it would just be underwear and like this. They're very, they probably asked me five times if I was comfortable with this. And I'm like, Yes, of course. Like, I'm very much a person that doesn't say no to things. And so I tried to actually experience it myself.So even when I got there, it was just like a very calming environment. And Marie was so nice. Oliver was so nice and they made sure I was taken care of.
And they asked me several times, even when we were shooting, like if there's anything that's that's gonna make you feel uncomfortable. Tell us and we'll also arrange it for you. So like, I wasn't sure what to expect. I didn't know it was really going to be that way because you know, there's a lot of stigmas and like, you know, watching shows and like hearing from friends that are models that have been shoots like this, maybe like on a bigger scale like New York or more one corporate level. And sometimes it's not like that. But so I was pleasantly surprised that they were just like very, like honorable and like making sure that I felt safe and comfortable. So I thought that was really cool.
Dydine 2:36
I had the same experience before we started working for Baserange. That was in 2017. And I was like you I'd have never done any modeling things. Nothing. I mean, I'd never been even interested in it.
And then a friend connected me to Marie, and I went there were scared I told them I don't know I'm I don't feel like a model and so, but they did a great job of it to back then on making you really comfortable and making sure what you're wearing. You're actually comfortable in it. And that was very surprising. To me as well as you because I was I thought it was gonna, you know, get out maybe feeling horrible about myself. You know, like how you you know you hear about these four cents, but I'm glad to hear that it's still the same right now. That was 2017 and now even 2024 Right?
Cody 3:15
Yeah, Dan. Dan was awesome in the same way. Like I was I was kind of research and everybody before the shoot because honestly like I got an email and I wasn't sure if it was a scam because like there's so many out there right now like brand ambassador things. So like they told me the photographer and the stylist so I reached out to both of them was like, hey, is this real like and they both got back to me like within an hour. And so I thought that was really cool. And that's how I knew like this was legit and I followed through with it and I'm really glad that I did.
And then I started researching the brand as well because I truly wasn't familiar. So I was researching the brand so I was based out of France and then I saw that it's like sustainable brand and all inclusive brand. They use high quality materials long lasting wear and I'm like oh my gosh this aligns with with everything that I do. Like this was just another calling and organic thing that came to me in my life and
Alex 4:20
And so you know in our research and our prep with you, obviously, we're familiar a little familiar with with your brand new beginnings right. And I wanted to know we wanted to know when what was the process for you conceiving this idea of new beginnings, and then kind of growing into this thing that it is now for you and I know you mean you're still relatively new.
Cody 4:50
Yes, for sure. Very fast, very new and learning every single day like just truly figuring it out. Surely figuring it out. So I've probably had the name new beginnings and my notes for probably three years now and I didn't know what it was going to become but it's been in their setting. I knew it was going to come for us and at some point, it actually ties. I got that name from my favorite Frank Ocean song Nights. You know, anywho when you say anything, new beginnings and love new beginnings. Yeah, so like, that's where I wrote it down. I'm like, Alright, it's gonna be something one day.
And then, like I went to college at Ohio State, like first family to get out of my hometown so really, my goal was just to graduate early with as least debt as possible because like I'm fully financially like on my own. And then like my family loves and supports me truly that everything I do every day is a first in my family. So I'm truly figuring it out. So that forced me to get a corporate job. I worked at Penske Truck Leasing, like straight out of graduation. And because I had to have a vehicle I had to make, I had to make money and live until I found that passion and and that was that was kind of where it started.
One of the hardest questions for me to answer was “What is your passion?” I can never answer that and it bothered me so so much like I I love doing a lot of things but I really wouldn't stick to it because nothing like truly like there was nothing I truly loved to do for free. You know what I mean? Right? So I took a trip to Europe last May. And like it was honestly my it was like my mantra for the trip was was to find purpose, like like “what am I?” I wanted to be very intentional about it. So I've been living intentionally for about a year and a half now like just truly searching.
But I was like journaling on on trains and stuff throughout Europe. And I was like drawing like shorts and garments. And then I wrote down new beginnings in my notebook. So then when I got back, I was very intentional about finding this passion. So I was just trying to teach myself a bunch of skills so I was trying stuff weekly. I was going to classes I was doing things from like transit to and martial arts to to like painting. like working with other music artists that I know appear just like to try to figure out what's going on. One of those first skills was sewing so I started so yeah, so I started teaching myself how to sew I went and bought a sewing machine. And I would just send it and I would just get these crazy ideas of designs not just try to make them happen because like I don't have any mentor anything. So it's like YouTube University just trying to figure it out. So I just started making I just started making clothes that just truly loud with my aesthetic as I always will forever and always.
And now it's just making it for my friends and my family. And then I've never found my creative scene in my life. I haven't I haven't found a group that like support that side of my life. That that was like truly important. So then I forced myself to go to the arts district because it's called Franklinton. Here in Columbus. There's like hundreds of studios that artists occupy and there's there's monthly events at them.
So I've had many neutrals on Instagram where I've never met them in person. So I knew that scene was out there but I never met him in person. I had this I had this feeling that I was going to meet and at this Franklinton Friday event that I went to, because I knew there was Mutual's going there so I came prepped with like my designs I've been making and stuff like that. And as soon as I as soon as I get down the hallway of the gallery, I see my now best friend. His name is Kai Gordon. He's a photographer starting the media agency here in Columbus and it's called St. Clair Agency. Shout Out. So I see him in the hallway and I'm like Kai Gordon. He's like Cody Butler because we knew each other from Instagram.
Okay, so flash a month forward. He comes over to my house because like, after that I started coming to the studio just to show him like I'm genuine. And meanwhile and I'm really just trying to find a community yet here. I had many many talks with Cox I wanted to make sure he knew that. So one night he wanted he he made it had a little bit of wine somewhere out in Columbus, and he needed a place this day and I'm like, Yes, pull up like this is a safe space for you. So he came in like one in the morning over to my house. And like I didn't really even know this man yet. You know?
But he gets a call. We're just talking. He gets a call from his cousin and he's an upcoming rapper out of Atlanta called Kyle Hooligan. And, and he's like, Hey, there's a there's an upcoming artist named Paris Bryant from the Bronx and he's in Columbus and he wants to do a shoot with you. He told Kai this on the phone and sitting right beside in cars like is he open to his stylist? My boy Cody is a stylist and I haven't had my first stylist gig yet either. I just like I don't even know that was a job. Like, like, I went to school for marketing, not fashion like I don't I don't have any fashion background. So he's like, Yeah, of course. I'm open to his stylist. So again, this is like Sunday, like one or two in the morning when we get this call. Parish Bryant wants to do the shoot that day, like last last minute.
And so I'm like, message him on Instagram. I'm like trying to figure out as Bob's what he wants for the shoot. And he kind of gives me a lot of leeway. So I use my own collection. So he's like, is this your brand? Do I get to keep anything? And I'm like, oh shit, and then I didn't answer. I didn't answer him back. I made him I made him a pair of jeans and then I stopped him in the jeans for the shoot. me really really love the jeans that I made him and from there it kind of took off. So then Kyle Hooligan saw the shoot he wanted a pair then some other artists wanted them. And then I'm like this is my calling. So this like this was like the end of January. And I just met Kai the month before in December. And then February comes and Kai asked me to go to New York Fashion Week. with them. And I'm like, okay, okay, so then, so I know guy for less than two months, and he's already invited me to New York Fashion Week with them. So February 5, I'm like Kai I quit my corporate job. Two days later, I got a Fashion Week and dropped like my first five products in New York. Wow. And like that's how that's how it all started basically.
Dydine 12:27
I know it's a beautiful, beautiful story. I mean, I was like listening to you through the whole thing and it's just how when it's also I think I can relate in a way that when because when you mentioned that when you went to school you have you are on your own. And and I think that makes you more staying in the survival mode that you don't have time. To have passions to have dreams, and you're just doing things to help you survive. And I grew up I grew up in Rwanda. And most of my friends we were that way and you wake up one day you're like, I actually don't know what my dreams are. I'm doing everything all at once. And so but once you do because you already have that work ethic.
Cody 12:50
Yeah, it definitely makes you more resilient.
Dydine 12:55
Yes, yes, everything. So they feel like that's what happened for you. And like I mean, you still you like just you mentioned you went last year, and you knew what you love. But also, there's something I was thinking about when you were speaking. Alex here likes to say, come correct or don't come at all. And that's what you did.
Alex 13:30
But it's admirable as well. Just putting yourself in a position to be open to new opportunities. Yes, it's a terrifying thing. Potentially. Again, he says, I mean, you have all of your, your eggs in one basket. And then when you okay, it was kind of a curveball and you said you quit your corporate job? Yes. I come from I'm from Texas. I was raised by parents who were very like, financially stable with a safe they would they would just make a lot of safe decisions. And so the idea of taking a chance, you know, on a dream or on a whim, usually came like second to Okay, make sure you got food on the table. Make sure you got a roof over your head. Make sure you got this this and this so like every time I hear stories like this, and particularly with yours, it's inspiring. It really is and I'm so happy to hear that things have in are working out for you.
Cody 14:20
Yeah, I'm figuring it out for sure. And like how you said you grew up that's how I grew up to like my dad was very much like get a secure job and hold it down forever. Like my my, my dad's a mechanic, my mom's a bus driver, like the school that I went to, like my first my first corporate job coming out of college, I was making the same amount of money then put together you know, I'm saying so it's like, and they were they were still able to take care of my brother and I but it's not like we had a bunch of excess money. But I also have built that trust with my with my family, that I have a great head on my shoulders. Like I'm gonna figure it out. Either way. I know I can go back to corporate and excel incorporated anytime that I want. So it's like you said it's scared. Like knowing like and like fully going into it. I think it's more scary not knowing and having these rate and having these regrets of not going and trying to follow my passions. That's what I'm more scared of.
And I think that's a rooted in the way that I grew up because, you know, they were doing things he's very safe ways. And I was always kind of like, Alright, I'm not the one that I'm not doing that. And I know my main goal is to show my family that there's another way you know, there's a there's another way out here like and I'm figuring it out through them.
Dydine 15:50
When you're doing your designs and everything. How do you feel throughout the day? When you're into your zone?
Cody 16:31
Um, well I just like I'm sometimes I definitely have my struggles of trying to find the product like prioritizing what I should be working on. Because like I have, I have many pieces designed, like in the vault like ready to drop because I'm going to be dropping a lot of one on ones so like I have a lot but I understand that to build brand awareness and brand identity before I just dropped clothes because I can't just be like I got a brand now by my clothes. That's not the way I want to go about it. My marketing mind will let me do that. So I have yet to even like list anything for sale. And I started this in February, but I'm just like, I understand that. Like, I'm gonna trust the process and it's all gonna work out. But I also put a lot of pressure on myself like, if I don't create something, like within a few days and I'm working on other stuff, I have to get back to the drawing board and like do something creative and just make a piece even if it's for fun. Like sometimes sometimes in order to take that pressure off like I won't feel myself like making it and stuff. I really love being transparent about the process. But if I want to get back into that zone, I will like you know, turn the cameras off and I'll just make something that like I just truly love or like something that I think will be fun making.
So like because in today's world we have to video ourselves and put our whole selves out there and be so vulnerable with the world in order to build a business but then also take to take so much from you. I feel like like like emotionally sometimes. So it's good to try to find that balance where you're just creating for you and you makes makes it like you always should be like I think so but sometimes like making it very intentional as well. But the time but as your question like the time flies by like when you're on a sewing machine or whether you're writing or like, whatever may be on your creative side. I feel like Time flies by. Yeah. And also time that means like you're probably doing something you love because you aren't even paying attention to time and these other constraints. So yeah, I love it though. I love it.
Alex 18:30
Yeah, it's what they call “flow state” where you were just like locked into whatever.
Cody 19:05
100% Yeah, I never say like I've been I've also been trying like growing up. Like I wasn't like from books at me I had to be outside and like work like around the property type type vibe. So I'm trying to get more into my reading side audiobooks help out with that a lot. Yeah, for sure. But also physical books as well.
But like I'll jog and listen to I've been listening to a Creative Act by Rick Rubin. And like one of these one of the one of the things that stick with me is he's like create and then analyze, because because if you don't like you'll just be like thinking or critiquing your own creativity and just blocking the process completely. Like I've written really trying to work on that, like a lot because I'll be I'll be overthinking.
Alex 19:20
That’s the thing with creatives, like everybody kind of goes through a version of that. Yeah, but are they paralysis by analysis? Yeah. Or like it's it's if you if you spend too much time thinking about your work thinking about how no so and so my or it may be received? Or is this the right thing like no like, like you said, just create for yourself create something that you find beautiful, yes. Because then that kind of jumpstarts the inspiration and I just think it taps into the core of why you do what you do in the first place. And then like would you say I like I liked you probably read this or listen to this book. But yeah, it shares a lot of the same principles that we kind of are do our best to operate off of.
Cody 20:14
Yeah, another great one. I have been reading this like Steal Like an Artist. I feel like it helps with like influence a lot. Yeah, I'm so like, one of those is like he talks about, you know, being completely vulnerable with your process allows you to learn and it also makes people feel more connected to your brand.. That's another huge like value and like ethos of like what I'm doing, because if I'm not doing that, and like what am I doing here? Like I'm bringing my art to the world. So I have to do my best to put it out there and platforms.
Dydine 21:00
Vulnerability is definitely really important when you're creating because during the pandemic I was doing I was painting I was learning I YouTube University. And I will paint these paintings and I'll feel like they're so beautiful and I will love them. But people come to the house and love the painting that I did not actually like I was like I was gonna and you will be gone and so and so it's like that, where you just allow yourself to be vulnerable to make mistakes. Because sometimes the things you we think are mistakes to somebody else that might be the most beautiful thing for them. And so you're right. It's good to do it for ourselves, but also the vulnerability to allow your spirit to be… our spirit is gentle when it's out there the world for everybody to judge. Your work is your spirit.
Cody 21:50
Everyone's not going to perceive it the same way like all artists objective and yeah, for sure like people is going to find like you know that everything is a reflection of yourself. So like when you when you see, you know, a different piece of art of all times it's just like exposing like what do you love about this? It's probably ties back to yourself.
Dydine 22:20
Yeah, yes. I had a question. Because you you could you were talking about how you everything kind of aligned in the past few months where things were happening, but also the Alex and I've been talking about the power of community because in I don't know if it's the same thing Columbus but here in Los Angeles or other places I've been in the US. Community is not the the core value of most places in the United States. People are very intuitive themselves and they just want to succeed on the soul on their own and you know, they have this target and that's where they're going. And we're talking about the importance of creating a community wherever you live. And I feel like that was that something you thought about when you were starting your business? Or Or have you found yourself in a new whole community that you've never thought about?
Cody 23:20
Oh, man, I don't want to do this alone. You know, I'm saying like, you can't do it alone. And that's something that I accepted very quickly. So I've been very intentional about finding that community. You know, and there's so many resources out there as well like, like, swallow your pride, like take away your narcissistic values and like, you need help and like, yes, if you tell people about your passions, that help will come to you because you'll you'll find your people. If you tell people what you're doing. You'll find your people you know, that's why everything's happened organic again. Luckily for me, because it's like, I'm telling people what my passions are, which makes them vulnerable to tell me what theirs are. And then we'll collaborate and create beautiful things together. So like, you know, I didn't know anything about starting a business. You know, no one in my family has ever started a business or anything like that. So I was very intentionally searching for all these resources like the Economic Community Development Institute of Columbus ECDI. Like those are one of the first people that I started collaborating with are like you seeking help for because when it comes to all this paperwork, don't start a business LLCs business bank account, etc, etc. I wanted to make sure I was doing the right so almost every city has these free resources.
Everyone that I meet this like trying to start a business I send them a link and like you can book an appointment for free. You can book appointment every week for free, like, go talk to him. I would go in there even just filing my LLC just to make sure I was doing it right. Like it's a free resource. And also they started throwing events with the Columbus Fashion Alliance. And it was like, it was like business revenue events. So the ECDI and the Columbus Fashion Alliance pair up and it'd be like helping small entrepreneurs and Columbus built up and you know, the first class there's probably 10 or so people but as the classes went on it slowly died out and you can really tell who was like really trying to you know, continue this and I thought that was honestly sad to see like I did this a one on one sessions, which was cool, but you know, this like, you know, use these resources use them like there's, this takes like an hour or two of your time that gets probably an hour or two you'll be scrolling through Tiktok so just like go out and like meet people and network.
And what's crazy is like I used to be very extroverted. COVID happened and they sent me down, it sent me down I didn't do want to do nothing. I was inside like, I was I turned completely introverted. But then when I started finding my community, and like I started finding my my creative side, like I knew I had to switch. I knew I had to get back to it. And so I meet people every single week. I mean, people every single week, I'm trying to build a team. You know, like I'm trying to start art collective where I bring brands together. I'm very much not a narcissistic designer, like I want to help people make the stuff that I'm making, you know, I'm saying that's good for the world. There's 30 million textiles floating around in ocean right now. Like, like, we need. We need not to be like a narcissistic we should collaborate and create beautiful things because that will just help grow your brand awareness even quicker than you just being on your own. You know what I mean? Like, so that's what I've been trying to do like I also recently got into a cohort program with the Columbus fashion lines, and they opened up a store on high street called the gallery and that has six upcoming clothing brands.
And my goal is to collaborate with all of them, you know what I mean? So it's like, but it's not it's not always like that out here. I don't know how it isn't California. really been LA once but I feel at least here in the Midwest everyone is willing to help everyone. Like I'm I'm a person away from the top of like, several industries like the comic industry, I can make a call away from a person looking at the fashion the fashion industry, like I know like the Columbus Arts Council, the Columbus fashion Council and the Columbus fashion Alliance, like the top people, you could set up a meeting with them tomorrow. You know what I mean? Like that's, so if you put yourself out there, like you're gonna be noticed if you're truly intentional about it. Yeah, so I'm really trying to do that. I'm really trying to do that.
Alex 28:00
Yeah, man. Right on that's, that's you mentioned LA. I mean, it is similar and that's kind of what we mentioned. You (Dydine) mentioned the community is La it operates differently in that, at first people will be or appear to be very self serving and not very willing to help out newcomers, particularly if they have no like, name brand or clout of any kind, you know, la kind of operates like that. The by default, and that's just kind of, you know, how LA works. But in the variable that shifts people people's perspective is what you're speaking about, is if you just are vulnerable, and you just let people know what you're trying to trying to do and what you're about you and the resources they started into. Yeah, you just it's like a magnet. It just starts showing up. Out of nowhere in your life. And so, yeah, it is very similar like that. You just kind of have to penetrate that that first little wall. Yeah. And then like that the blessings can can start coming in, so long as you put the work in for it.
Cody 29:00
So you got to keep showing up.
Dydine 29:05
And you're right, the pandemic, really, I was already an introvert. So the pandemic just took me all the way down. And took me I think, for the past three years of being like, Okay, I need a community I need to get better. Like, you know, I need to strengthen that extrovert you know, lifestyle because naturally I am an introvert, so I have to work extra hard to get out there. But I know that if you want to make a difference in the world, if you want to make a change, you have to reach people because you're doing it for the people and so it's it's I applaud you too for the all the information that you actually shared because there's so many people that don't know that in their community, there are organizations or you know, public places where they can get all this information we can get they can get free help on everything. Especially in inflation times.
Cody 30:00
Yeah, I think there's enough there's enough there's enough for us all out there. We just got to help each other out.
Dydine 30:22
I was gonna ask you so your brand is for somebody who doesn’t know, who just saw the name of your brand. How would you describe it? Like what how it because I think there's the come to sustainability what you mentioned about the new beginnings giving new life to how do you get the materials how is the like, the vintage stuff that you recreate? How does the how is the process?
Cody 31:00
So I would just tell them it's it's a sustainable slow fashion brand. And I'm creating WIP garments so Work in Progress garments. So these pieces are never finished. Because I want to I want the consumer to feel empowered to make these these pieces their own. I want them to never be finished. I mean there I tell them their favorite pair of jeans is probably the ones their homies signed on the side you know when they're out affairs, something you know, it's like, I'm trying to create timeless pieces, and I'm sourcing material that is from like Goodwill's estate sales. If it was like locally sourced or locally grown like I'm always constantly getting reuse materials, like I don't go out and buy new material. There's already enough out there for us to do so. And and also like a lot of these stores like North Face and Abercrombie we have plenty of headquarters here and in Columbus. That's why we're number three in fashion. But a lot of these places a lot of these corporate headquarters, Oh give out material like what excess materials well, so if you reach out, then you can get excess material. But honestly, I take old pieces. I really love going to a state sale. It's like my whole house. Everything you see here it's like old and vintage and like super like weird little knickknacks here and there.
Because I just I just love that it's just like things on borrowed time, you know? So I'll go source I guess like honestly, this this shirt I got out in the state so it's like an old sleep wear shirt, but it's probably from like the 80s or, like young 90s. So it's like and it's in great shape and it's made so well and it'll it'll last till I'm old. You know what I'm saying? So like, if I if I go to source these high quality textiles and make them new again, I bring new beginnings to these pieces. They will last forever and they're awesome. Never finished. And so yeah, that's how I kind of source and make my pieces. The sustainability aspect comes from. I don't shop retail. I don't shop retail at all. You know I am on my friends but if they've arrived from Shane or Timo, like I'm on their ass on, they've got they know it, they know it's like oh my gosh, I might last year few offices and you're gonna throw it away and this is a plastic kit down in the trash. 100 percent polyester. It’s crazy!
But so I also the way I grew up, it was always hand me downs or like work where that lasts long time you know like my mechanic and things like that was always work where that lasted a long time. And then we get hand me downs from my brother. And we go to yard sales and yard sales are still like one of my favorite things. You know, it's like treasure hunt. So like, I I kind of grew up that way, you know, like just but my my family would have never described it to me as sustainable you know, we're just like, it wasn't how used to go like buy new stuff when this you know, good stuff right here. That's the mindset that I grew up with. And it always has and and so even through college, I didn't have a lot of money.
Being self funded full time in college. So it's really hard to work a job or like multiple jobs while a full time college student. So I was doing I was donating plasma and my COVID antibodies taking my visa going to Goodwill's and thrift and with it and then reselling then reselling to Plato's Closet and uptown cheapskates and that's how I make my money.
Alex 35:00
I love it. That's fine that's a hustle that not a lot of people and it's fun.
Cody 35:10
Most of time would be breaking even because I would just spend my money back at the thrift store and cool stuff but like it's fun, you know, like that makes me straight.
Dydine 35:36
Yeah, absolutely. Back home in in Africa, I grew up there we have those yard sales. But they're every day and everywhere. We have like literally markets. They're just your cells. And you find the best pieces there. And we have of course stores, other stores. But we always found stores to be the closing like the mall stuff we never liked because looked the same. Yeah. So growing up you will go into that place because you're gonna find something that nobody else in your in your neighborhood has.
Cody 36:00
Because if you're going to like American Eagle, you go to school and then someone had the same shirt and you'd like I can't wear it now.
Dydine 36:15
For me, it was actually somehow luxury luxurious because you have that one piece you're gonna wear forever and everyone knows it's yours. And so I moved here it started shifting because, you know, I was like early 20s and forever 21 was so cheap.
But but for the past few years, I started shifting back to finding those places. I couldn't find those places here. I back home we call them Chaguwa. And, and I was like when I grew up, I may just do the same like get the to get that sale and sell them somewhere else because you just take care of that piece that would give it a new life like you just do it. But it's incredible, incredible idea that what you're doing.
With Baserange we have a repair system where people will have worn their garments and they've wondered for a long, long time to bring them back and give it a new life kind of the same. When beginnings, new beginnings and that concept I found it amazing because there are like you just mentioned all over Asia, India and all this out. Africa, there's been millions millions of closing that's just in the sewage, and it's causing harm on the humans that live there and so if we can try to to do this what you're doing and more people like you said more people doing it we may be able to reduce the damage that that you know, fast fashion was doing to the world.
Cody 38:10
Yeah 100% On a percent like I also took a sustainability marketing class or the Ohio State with Professor grant Donnelly. So that was like another thing that has always been like in my recency bias that I'll think of like when I'm when thinking of designs or when I was thinking of my of my brand now, because we did we had to do many projects, and one of them was on Patagonia. Patagonia has really good policies and like the Baserange where there's a repair program where you can send your piece back. It's a lifetime guarantee, or they'll send you a patch kit with directions on how to do it yourself.
You can always return things they they sell the stuff that's returned to keep it keep it in the loop. And I don't want to give too much out of my market strategy, my market strategy but like another thing that another campaign that they that they did, I thought was really cool. that'll stick in my mind forever. Was they produce this new jacket, but then their marketing campaign was “don't buy this jacket.”
They said don't buy this jacket because they're like facing consumerism, you know, I'm saying I was like don't buy this jacket, you know unless you need and if you are this is a jacket that will last forever and you will need to buy another one. Right? So like, that sticks in my mind all the time as well when it comes to like my sustainability aspect was like don't buy this jacket. Now like now like anytime that I have a piece that I don't want to sell ever and it's just like something I truly cherish. I'll be like don't buy this this though.
I feel like one of the things that I'd like to talk to you guys about is finding that middle. I mean that middle ground of being I guess in an exclusive brand but also being accessible to everybody. That's something that I'm struggling with as well like being a sustainable brand. That that I'm struggling with that because you know like I am creating these one on ones and I am hand crafting and it takes a lot of my time. So and attend today it's my art. Yes. So we have to price are worthy of like what we're putting into it.
But that that also can and shifting to the line to make it more exclusive and the less accessible to the masses. So I'm actively figuring out ways I can still make my brand accessible at all times. So maybe just have some accessible products and then and then my one on ones but I wanted to know your take on exclusivity and accessibility when it comes to those fashion in fashion.
Alex 41:31
Yeah, it's an interesting question. Yeah, well, we've been with Baserange for four years and in the in those four years because we meet with Marie and a team, at least at least once every couple of weeks just to like really get down to these these ideas about what is what does sustainability mean to us right now and to the world at large. And it can be it can be challenging. That's that's a question that we ask ourselves all the time. For the past four years we've been asking that question, and Marie is someone who's very transparent as well with the process. And occasionally the challenges of how do we remain profitable and marketable, but but also maintain this, this true core of sustainability? Where we don't fall into the line of of consumerism and fast fashion.
And it's, it's, it's a never ending question, because the climate of the world is changed in the last four years with COVID and all the political political position and you know, everything kind of plays a plays a role. Everything in the world plays a role into what these conversations, how they change and what they mean. And so, for us, it might be kind of hard for us to answer that question directly.
Dydine 42:50
But I think we could try to make an arrangement for you to speak with Marie. I feel like 12 years she's doing this longer or longer. She's asking the same question. Yes, you are. Yeah, yeah, we're the first company to do this one, one of the first ones in early early 2010’s. She always asked yourself the same question. How are you able to pay the people that work on those pieces? How do you value your time? How do you also sustain your own life because you're giving to the world, but also you have to be able to sustain your own livelihood? Not excess. But be able to think on both on both sides of how because if you think about if you're doing a first question, a t shirt is going to be $20. And that $20 was probably somebody who worked on it on the field. Who the who got the cotton's who put it together probably got paid less than $1 And that's how that will pull somebody who's stitching together less than $1 and that's how it becomes Fast, fast fashion for for you who is doing all the work and who's going willing to pay the people that are working with you in a sustainable way. So they can have also a life that's not they're not struggling as they are making the pieces that we are selling.
So when the pricing I think those are the stuff things that you think about and it helps in a way that your consumers knows that they're going to wear that piece for a year. And in that year if you you were purchased something fast, fast fashion, you're only going to wear it for once or so you're gonna buy multiple things within that year. Yeah, probably the cost over the it's more than if you bought that one piece that you love, they're gonna where you no longer like a long time. So you just think about it, I guess all of those things. But to get a good good answer business wise. We're more in writing and and, and podcasting and the community conversations. But with the fashion real the last people….
Alex 45:29
I would also say one thing that Baserange does in that we've been able to tap into a little bit with the Baserange community doing all these, these community conversations and podcasting is just how important having a relationship with your community is. I mean, you you obviously understand that as well. But when you can create a real relationship in that it's not just like this, this faceless brand where ah, like h&m is the brand you don't know anybody. Yeah. You know, specifically in h&m. You just know h&m, right? Yeah. It to have a human to connect with and to have conversations with to bounce ideas off of it. It just adds to the to the connection with with the pieces and and the brand at large. Yeah. So I mean from I think the best advice we can give is just is the deep connection that you can form with people. Yeah, because word of mouth is an underrated is an underrated vessel for for brand growth and identity and awareness. You're on the right track.
Dydine 46:50
And also I'm thinking the one on one you're talking about. That's a custom made piece. Right. And that and that's not really excluding because if you're making a piece to put on, you know, to port to public than to then you can set up you know, a price that that's good for the that's not excluding anyone. But if it comes to that person that wants a custom made, then there's, you know, there's a way you can, you know, I think that's, that's a good that's just my personal opinion. Yeah. Then you have a way to work with them and also them supporting your business because if somebody approached you for a custom made piece, they're willing to pay for your time pay for your energy and everything your exclusivity that's and so then you're not feeling like you excluded somebody.
Cody 47:40
I understand. On that topic about like custom pieces like I am making the one on ones for people and some, some I've made like true truly just for them like into their body. That's really important to me, like making people feel good in their clothes and bring some confidence. And I lost my train of thought but when it comes to like all my followers that I have now in the community that I've built, I don't I don't know, I might have like 200 followers right now. But that is all organic marketing. I bet at least 90 95% of those people I met in person told him told him about my brand and that's how it kind of happened so like I think good you're definitely right that's what brings that connection. That's why I built in the foundation of this before I just like start dropping clothes for sale was important to me.
Because I think, you know if I if I stay with this mindset when I do start dropping clothes, I'm gonna build a bigger audience online. Oh, yes. But right now building that community locally. You know, my first products I'm going to drop is going to be available to my local people first as well my first pop up which is July 12, Franklinton Friday.
So I’m a Cancer so my emotions are right here (on my sleeve). Right out here in the open for you…but one of the reasons why my my question came up about the exclusivity thing and and just like when I researched this brand, I found out that like, they are the sustainable brand and they do use all natural dyes. Even when I wore the clothes they felt they felt high quality and they would last me a long time. Like I knew that just having it on I didn't have any Baserange stuff before.
So I felt really good like on the skin like you could tell that it was made well, so then that's when I did more research and on the Baserange website. They have like bios of all the workers and manufacturers that you guys use. Like it's all out there. Yeah, like, I don't even know. I wouldn't even know a brand to look up to try to find someone else is doing that. I don't know anyone else that's that transparent about their manufacturers and and who they're using to make their pieces and, like very transparent. I've never seen that before. So that's something I'd also love to talk to Marie about. I think it's something that I should also like put more of an exclamation point on because that is that is awesome that Baserange does that.
Alex 50:57
Yeah, it Baserange I think as a rule is intentionally trying to be less are more low key about about you know, more of a matter of fact being that we are as sustainable as we're trying to be right. Yeah. And it kind of goes into even the community conversations like we don't interview most of the time very high profile people, or like people with a massive amount of followers. or wherever. It's more of like ground level. Like people who are really trying to make a difference there.
Dydine 51:30
Everyone’s the same. There’s a balance.
Alex 51:40
Yeah, yeah. So from the transparency aspect, like there's a reason why all that information is out there is for people like you or like us to be able to like if we're motivated, inspired enough. There are resources available for you to be like, Okay, so here's a blueprint that they work off of. Yeah, that seems to work well for them. Yeah. And so if I can just follow this, this, this maybe tweak a little bit stuff over here. Maybe I can find something that and I can create something that is in the same line of sustainability because Baserange we just ultimately you want the planet to be yeah to it and we want we want everything to be as as synchronous as possible.
And for us to be an extension of the planet extension between each other with you know, kind of breaking down these divisive narratives or whatever. And it translates to the clothing and so everything because they're for people, it's for people.
Dydine 52:40
And it's people first. And if you really care about humanity, you care about people. You're going to care about every individual that's every every left that's touching a piece of clothing that you're selling, or you're wearing because when you think more about the all the lifestyle types, this piece of jacket, you care for it, you care for it and you know that there is all their spirits, literally this jacket. And so under insulin I think having that it's you can be able to go and search where the material was met, how it was made and everything and I think it creates trust between the brand and the consumers. And so in the love for you how you you describe in your work process as well, and I think I don't I wasn't able to check if you have a website.
Cody 53:23
It is a work in progress. It is a work in progress. I'm doing it on my own so I’m looking for these resources to help me network and every day.
Dydine 53:32
And so it's just that that transparency and creating trust. And I think with your community, it's almost like everyone who you don't know who's going to know about your brand, aren't going to trust you as much as your community there in Columbus because you've been you have your heart you know on here.
And I feel like that’s what Baserange has been doing for the past over a decade is wearing your heart out (on their sleeve) because when you open it up, he said people also become vulnerable and people feel connected to you and your pieces and be around and create good things knowing that you trust what you create anything.
Cody 54:20
The first the first post that I made on my brand account was like my mission statement. I knew I was gonna get no views no likes, but my first post was my mission statement my why the problem and the solution, you know, like that was my very first post because I knew like once I do blow up, they're gonna go back and see I've been on this since day. One. Day one I have been on this mission. I'm not doing it because it's a special month I'm not going because it's it's you know, it helps with branding. I'm strictly doing this because that's the brand ethos that's my ethos. This is this is me all my art is a reflection of me. And I'm trying to bring people close to it and make clothes that are timeless that people just love and cherish and keep forever you know, I feel like sustainability is becoming sadly the trend and fashion and hopefully it sticks to where it's not a trend. I think we're getting there. I really do.
I also think staple like having your staple pieces. Like you know you have like these four T shirts that you just love and you know your co workers know that it's your favorite jeans they see you wearing them all the time the people around I think that is very is like becoming like a prevalent thing I don't know if it's through like these get ready with me ease and things like that these others but I feel like Gen Z is caring more about your own personal brand and style and less about like luxury brands and stuff and like brands that's on the tag. I feel like it's more about like, what is what is Cody's style, you know, like what, it doesn't even matter, you know, on the rest and I I think we're headed in a positive direction. And I'm excited and that's why I'm trying to be in the heart of it now I feel like it's perfect timing and I'm showing right into it organically.
Alex 56:36
Are you Gen Z?
Cody 56:38
I was born in 2000. So I'm on the cusp. I was born in 93.
Alex 56:55
I see that shift because Millennials particularly older millennials, it's very much about like the brand, and like, regardless of how it was made in the processes, is like I gotta have this brand. I gotta look this way and show out this way, for whatever reason, right? And I think like, you're right in that Gen Z. They're a lot more conscious about what they're doing. Yeah, there's one thing I love about the generation this is like there's a lot more, awareness as well. More self awareness, you know?
And so I do see that shift. I think you're on the right path for sure about what is Cody's style.. How can I emulate that and how can I support them?
Cody 57:40
Hopefully, yes, yes. Yeah. And I'm I'm really excited. For my journey, because I feel like I feel like I don't even know how to sew yet. You know what I mean? I'm making all these pieces but I feel like I don't even know how to sew yet. So this, this first collection is going to be the authenticity pack, you know, I mean, it's going to be stuff that's truly authentic to me and my style, and then maybe the next one is when I start actually learning like you know, more difficult techniques that just expand my design and then like, every one is just gonna get progressively better because I'm open to learning these new skills, and I'm actively trying to find these new skills. So like, I'm just really excited.
Just keep learning like I don't I never want to stop learning new skills in my life. I never want to be tied to one thing, like, I'm very free spirit and I just want to keep learning and meeting people like yourselves.
Dydine 59:02
So I'm so happy that we're able to do this. I don't even know how they they found you…I am so happy they I'm so happy they did because we it's important for like I feel very, very inspired by the work they you are doing and the way you're going about it in the way you're looking at the future because sometimes we can be less hopeful because of this globalization of everything you get to hear so much. And a lot of the times are not good news. And so you just can lose hope for humanity. But knowing there's a young person somewhere in Columbus doing his best to make a difference and also, you know, passionately. I think it's very, very inspiring.
And my last question will be do you have hope for the future? Or what do you plan in the future? And what message would you like to leave with young entrepreneurs who are starting out?
Cody 1:00:00
I think we must be optimistic. Like I don't see there being another choice. That doesn't mean you have to be an optimist. 24/7 Like we're human beings we have emotions. But we have to be optimistic, right? Like, what like we must that's the purpose of our life to like put onto the next generation and show them away and like keep keep being optimistic for our children. You know that children is coming up in this world right now. Like we must be optimistic.
For my next steps I I'm slowly building a collection of pieces. I have a lot of pieces and I I'm actually working on like a collective video like a whole little like documentary on my first collection called the authenticity pack chapter one. So I have about eight different concepts with with different models for each one. And full New Beginnings outfits I shot the first one with St. Claire Agency last Monday with an A genuine archives on Instagram..And so like I'm really excited about this just getting my art into the world and like, see it and other people makes me feel so good. Like I just I just love styling people and making people feel good in the shoes. At the end of the day what you're wearing is everyone's first impression of you whether we like it or not. So like feel something you feel confident in your clothes or your emotions. However you're feeling that day is probably what you're wearing as well.
But when it comes to to upcoming creatives at all, tell the world your aspirations. Tell the world your aspirations, I wouldn't be on this podcast right now if I went to this model shoot and I didn't tell him that I have a brand and I'm starting a brand. I'm very passionate about making clothes and and I'm trying to learn these new skills and I really love the ethos of your brand if I wasn't open like this, even in these very couple hours with with a company called Baserange. I wouldn't be on this podcast. You never know who's on the other side of the door. You know, you're only one person away from the opportunity you've been looking for. So send it like don't have any regrets in your life travel like like tell your family all the truths in your life like this be open and honest and transparent. And what you give the world will come back to you. one more one more quote for the for the upcoming artists. Everyone is trying to be original here but no artists in history is original. No artist in history is original. You steal from one person it's plagiarism. You steal from 1000 people your original. So do your thing find your influences and bring it together into something you love.
Alex 1:07:03
Thank you so much Cody for joining us on our podcasts and community conversations with Alex and the dean. You've been a gracious, gracious, very educational Guest and we hope to have you back at some point in the future.
Cody
Absolutely. I'm excited to be back.
Dydine
Thank you so much and good luck with everything that you're doing, we say you owe the good vibes and all the blessings and a good Juju.
Cody
This is so wholesome I love it thank you guys so much for having me.