Today we’d like to introduce you to Haleigh Talbert.
Hi Haleigh, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I originally had a brand named PlentyMoreSeven that I had started out with last year in college of spring 2021 that did decent but I had eventually rebranded shortly after 3 months because I realized the brand literally had no meaning to me. People would ask me about the brand, and I literally couldn’t give them an answer on what “PlentyMoreSeven” meant, and was embarrassed by it. So, I did a lot of brainstorming with names and what I wanted my brand to symbolize – that’s when I came up with Bless The Sixthman- which is known mainly as Sixthman Athletics! Sixthman Athletics originated from my role in college.
I played college ball at the University of California Irvine for 4 years on scholarship, and my role on the team from the coaches immediately became being the sixthman coming off the bench because of how much energy I brought in the game. I had taken that role pretty seriously, it had nothing to do with my ability to score these astronomical numbers or being the best player on the team (not saying I couldn’t get a bucket and do my thing), but it had everything to do with winning, and getting my teammates going, and coming in the game bringing whatever we needed whether that was a steal, a bucket, an extra pass, energy to turn the game around… THAT was my job.
So, when I reflected on that situation, I wanted my brand to be known for that because I feel like forget the basketball court; we all need a sixthman in our lives!
Someone who will pick you up, not bring you down, A person who is selfless, not selfish, then if we do think about sports a sixthman in every sport is the kind of person that works hard regardless if they are being recognized for it, they are in the gym probably more than the 5-star recruits because they want it more, they are taking the coaching, they are putting their bodies on the line making sacrifices.
So, I know I went pretty long with my story on how sixthman originated, but I’m really passionate about my brand and what it stands on, and I want people to know that there is a deeper meaning in sixthman than just the clothes I put out.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? If I sat here and said yes, I would be lying to myself and anyone else who is reading this. You know we live in a world now where everybody is only posting the 6 figure amounts, and the luxuries of being an entrepreneur you know- all the good things. However, I haven’t gotten to that stage, I didn’t blow up overnight (even though that would’ve been cool like that’s great for people that have!), I’m not close with famous people to quickly get in the door with them so they can promote my stuff (I still reach out to them of course and get love here and there). But I’m not gonna paint this picture and act like it hasn’t been tough because it has. So, I am grateful that I am not money-driven because if I was, I would’ve quit a long time ago!
I have had many struggles, though; one of those things is the money aspect; I break even every drop, but I am not generating a big amount of revenue, so I am getting a good amount of clientele to make my money back but not to the point where I can say “WE DID IT” but I know it is coming if nobody else believes or trust the process I do. I also have been working full-time jobs throughout this process, which takes so much energy out of myself, but I know I need a job right now or I am not gonna be able to provide for myself. So those things have played a big factor, but im looking at in a positive light instead of negative. My story is what will bring my success so much joy.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a self-taught graphic designer who has designed majority of my clothes; I am known for big graphics and my all-over print shorts! I am really proud of the sixthman family that is being created, I feel like I have a good amount of people that will message me and tell me to keep going, and loyal customers and just sales to begin with! I had to look back on my journey and thank God that I even get sales because my story right now could be a lot worse. What sets me apart is something I don’t know yet if I am being real, but I know that I want sixthman to be the next brand to takeover in a positive way! I have a lot of vision behind sixthman that I can’t talk about, unfortunately- but those plans have to do with more than just clothing and more than just buying what’s hot. I can say though is for winter, I have a lot of ideas, and even for the next year, I have plans for the clothing aspect of everything and hope to do at least 50k (rather be realistic), but yeah, that’s where I am at with all of this and can’t wait for what the future holds.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me? Hmm. I’d say next to God is my family, and im not sure if this was a question meant for my brand or just my personal life, but even if it was for either, I’d still say my family. My family is the reason I’m pushing so hard with sixthman now; I didn’t get that chance to be the next biggest artist, or the greatest athlete, or whatever yunno. So, I haven’t been able to say I got to buy my mom all the materialistic things or my dad a VIP ticket to the Lox concert or got my sister a new car and got my brother these fancy shoes every drop, or my fiancé everything in the world she could ever want, and my grandmothers and uncles and grandfathers, and cousins everything they could want as far as vacations and etc. But they push me every day to keep going, they are all in my ear with nothing but positivity and rooting for me to the fullest, and that’s all I need. I have an amazing family, man, and I can’t do nothing but be grateful because of how far we have come, and it is actually beautiful to realize. They are my Why. If it wasn’t for God and them, I don’t know where I would be right now in all reality; I don’t know if I’d have positive people in my ear or if I’d be trying to pursue something no one has ever did around me. I’m thankful for my Why and can’t wait to pray them back.
Pricing:
- $35 – $40 shorts
- $40 front and back big print tees
- $35 front-facing tees
Contact Info:
- Website: blessthesixthman.com
- Instagram: blessthesixthman
