Growing up, I was surrounded by people who were always pushing the boundaries of creativity, individuality, and self-expression. Their energy and passion shaped the way I viewed the world and inspired me to build something that reflected my own values. I’ve always known I wanted to be an entrepreneur. But like many people, I fumbled through different ideas before I found something that truly resonated with me, something bigger than myself. During this time of finding my path, I was also grappling with one of the hardest losses I’ve ever faced—the death of one of my very best friends, Alexis Robinson.
Alexis was one of my first middle school friends, someone I could always count on, no matter what. We were inseparable, so much so that our school thought we were dating in the 6th grade. As the years went by, she became my realest friend, and over time, we began calling each other "Real One" whenever we came through for each other. One day, we even changed our contact names in each other’s phones to "Real One," and it’s still saved that way to this day.
When I was choosing a name for my brand, I wanted it to symbolize something meaningful, something that could outlast my pain and be a tribute to her. At the time, I had just lost Alexis to a tragic drunk driving accident on my birthday. In that moment of grief, I decided to turn my heartbreak into something positive—something that could carry her name and spirit forward. I wanted to create a brand that wasn’t just about clothing, but about honoring the essence of a "Real One," someone who shows up for you no matter what, someone who’s with you through the highs and lows.
As I put my values and morals for Real One Exclusives together, I realized that being real one is more than just being real—it’s about adding value to your community. Our value proposition is this: Real One Exclusives is about more than just clothing. It’s about creating a space where people can feel confident and comfortable in their own skin, knowing that their style reflects who they truly are. Because that is how my relationship with Alexis made me feel—comfortable enough to be myself, comfortable enough to trust our relationship, comfortable enough to reciprocate the energy, which is all that matters.
When I started Real One Exclusives, I had nothing but pain, suffering, and mourning in my spirit, but as I grew closer to God in my healing, I found hope and inspiration. He gave me the strength to keep Alexis’ name alive and to make her proud, and in doing so, I found my purpose. Real One Exclusives isn’t just a brand—it’s a tribute to Alexis and to everyone in our community who has those "Real Ones" in their lives, the people who always have your back, who never leave your side.
As the brand grows, I want to continue inspiring others to stay true to themselves, express their individuality, and show up authentically in every area of their lives. Another thing that we will forever hold close to us is: it’s not just about the quality of the product—it’s about the message behind it. Every piece we create is a reminder to be unapologetically real, to embrace your true self, and to live authentically.
Every creation, every stitch, every design at Real One Exclusives carries a piece of our essence, forever imprinted with the spirit of a Real One. This brand is built to honor the people who show up for you, the ones who make you feel truly seen and loved. And that’s the legacy I want to leave with this brand—a legacy of authenticity, love, and resilience