Assignment: Start a Business

Last June, Jordy Santos and Khary Williams, along with 10 of their classmates were feeling anxious. The 17-year-olds were about to pitch their streetwear company to business leaders. If the pitch was successful, their clothing line would be sold at the NBA Store on Fifth Avenue, the world-famous shopping strip in New York City.

These young entrepreneurs were students at Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School in the Bronx. The school uses elements of basketball across all subjects. During a business class a few years ago, their teacher asked the students to come up with an idea for their own start-up.

The class all loved the streetwear Khary drew for fun: T-shirts and hoodies with vivid designs in black and white and splashes of orange. He thought the look would appeal to young buyers. “I was dreaming big,” Khary says. The students named their brand EVNTLLY. Their slogan: “We all start from somewhere. Eventually, we can make it.” But creating the designs was just the first step. The EVNTLLY team needed help making and selling the clothing. They turned to Centric Brands, a major clothing manufacturer, for help. Centric staffers helped the students produce their clothes and research similar brands to help set their prices.

Last June, Jordy Santos and Khary Williams were feeling nervous. The 17-year-olds and 10 of their classmates had started a streetwear company. They were about to pitch it to business leaders. If their pitch was successful, their clothing line would be sold at the NBA Store in New York City.

Jordy and Khary were students at Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School in the Bronx. The school uses elements of basketball across all subjects. A few years ago, the young men took a business class. Their teacher asked them to come up with an idea for their own company.

Khary liked drawing streetwear for fun. He sketched T-shirts and hoodies with striking designs in black and white and splashes of orange. His classmates loved them. He thought the look would appeal to young buyers. “I was dreaming big,” Khary says.

The class decided to start a streetwear company. They named their brand EVNTLLY. Their slogan: “We all start from somewhere. Eventually, we can make it.” But the designs were just the first step. The students needed help making and selling the clothes. For help, they turned to Centric Brands, a major clothing manufacturer. Centric staffers helped the students produce their clothes. The team also researched similar brands to help set their prices.

Then the EVNTLLY team had to persuade a company to sell their clothing. They decided on Fanatics, a $31 billion global sportswear franchise. That’s the business they were pitching to last June. Khary spoke first, introducing his designs. Other students took their turns and handed out samples, and then Jordy delivered the presentation’s finale.

The meeting was a triumph: The brand got a spot in the NBA Store! Khary says launching a business broadened his horizons: “It helps us to see a future bigger than the problems we face.” Jordy adds: “I really learned that I have what it takes.”

Then the students had to persuade a company to sell their clothing. They decided to try Fanatics, a global sportswear retailer. That’s the business they were pitching to last June. Khary spoke first. He introduced his designs. Other students took their turns and handed out samples. Then Jordy delivered the big finale.

The meeting was a triumph. EVNTLLY got a spot in the NBA Store! Khary says launching a business taught him a lot: “It helps us to see a future bigger than the problems we face.” Jordy adds: “I really learned that I have what it takes.”