Today we’d like to introduce you to Clay Patterson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Clay. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I got the opportunity to move to Fort Worth at 19 years old in 2014. I was offered a position with American Hat Co. at The Best Hat store as a custom hatter. So I styled and made custom cowboy hats, fashion hats, fedoras, etc… this was the beginning of a new life for me. A new chapter to my story that had been anything but perfect or worth noting so far.
Before I left College Station, TX, where I grew up, my life was one big party from 16 to 19. I was missing school more than I was attending. After going through some rough family conflict and my parent’s divorce, I was confused for my future. I quit sports and gave up my D1 dreams to work, be independent, and rodeo while still in high school. This was cool but it came with some bad habits and a bad ego. This ultimately led me to getting arrested the early morning of my high school graduation. Then, less than a year later I almost died when I flipped my truck over some railroad tracks driving home drunk from a benefit auction I was apart of. I escaped with my life but I got in a lot of legal trouble.
A few months go by and I get the job offer in Fort Worth and move. Alone. New city. No friends. A fresh start. I worked diligently and hard, perfecting my craft. I passed up the bar scene lingering just a short walk away from work every night and went to the gym. I started reading my bible for the first time and then my life started to change and my outlook became much more positive. The way I lived, the way I thought about myself and others, it all changed.
Almost a year into the job I asked my boss if I could use his cattle brand and start a clothing company out of it. He said absolutely! The logo was a plus and a x. Positive Times. Just what I wanted to represent my new life and encourage others.
Today, my focus isn’t on being a clothing mogul or competing with top brands… I’m more concerned with the local community and the hearts and minds of the people that live in it. I want to help and inspire people. The clothing is just a way for people to help support my mission and let people be a part of something bigger than themselves. I let my voice be heard through the brand, hoping to encourage others that no matter your mistakes, your past, your depression, your anxiety… there’s a God out there that loves you and has a plan for you. His love will wreck your life. It’s up to you to return that love into the world and people around you. I just want to be a good example of who God is and what Jesus has taught me.
Great, 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?
It has not been smooth. At all. I didn’t know anything when I started. Google was my best friend. I literally just printed 150 shirts, two designs, and about 50 caps, built a website on Shopify and started selling on Facebook and Instagram to friends and family. Pretty soon, like within a month or two, I had stores wanting to carry the brand and the inventory was basically sold out. I was confused on the direction to take the brand… positive times was so vague… I wanted to compete with Hurley and rvca but didn’t know who to market it to. Then problems came up with the printing company I was using. I just kept pushing forward and figured it out as I went, selling and marketing to my small following online. Then I bought my own heat press and started printing shirts myself. Long story short that was a nightmare and I had just gotten married. Well, then my wife left me after four months and I had to put everything on hold to take care of my personal life that was in shambles and my world had been flipped upside down. I bounced back through a year later (2018) and decided that I would just make this more of a personal brand and journey and try to let my voice be heard through the brand and promoting myself and my brand alongside one another. Running a business can be tough, not starting it, but running it. Balancing life and business and watching your finances. It’s all a learning process. My story isn’t over, the road is still tough, and I’m not an overnight success but in the end, it’ll be worth it and make for some good stories.
Positive Times – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am known for clothing that is really comfortable. I always print on clothes that are great quality. Aside from quality though, the message the brand speaks with generosity. My first time doing this was with Hurricane Harvey, I was one of the first brands to donate all the proceeds from a shirt to help those affected by the flooding. We raised enough money to fill a trailer full of supplies and had donations come in from all over the country. This last year we gave a hoodie away for every one sold to a local person in need. I don’t want to just talk about being positive, I want to make a positive impact and lead the way in generosity. I am really trying to find creative ways to impact more lives in the future and find more people to shine a light on and help.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Honestly just starting. I didn’t know what I was doing or how I was going to do it, I still feel that way sometimes, to be honest. But I started it and it has led me to meet some incredible people, start some amazing conversations, and help a lot of people in their time of need. None of it would have been possible if I wouldn’t have just said Yes to my own dreams and crazy ideas.
Contact Info:
- Website: positivetimes.org
- Email: claytonwv@yahoo.com
- Instagram: clay_patterson
Image Credit:
Chris Knowles, Jordanne Foland
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