Today we’d like to introduce you to Koran Cooper.
Hi Koran, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’ve always liked dressing nice and the finer things in life so I’ve always had to had to have a side hustle whether it was lemonade stands, selling candy, cutting yards, or trading/selling shoes dating back to 2nd grade. My parents made me earn the extra things I wanted, so instead of buying me something they might do something like pay for the gas in the lawnmower so I could mow someone’s yard, or buy me candy so I could have inventory to sell. As I got older around 12-13, I solely began to trade/sell in the shoe market, which led me to me liking fashion even more. At this same time, I began to make music with my friends and take pictures for yearbook at my school. So, you know all three music, fashion, and photography go hand in hand. Once I got to high school my focus shifted to football as I was ranked top 50 Linebackers in the state of TX & held several scholarship offers, but friends began a clothing brand called Cozy that we were pushing for a while then they rebranded to the name Distorted recently. I eventually signed a scholarship to play football at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and once I got to college, I was in a small town so there wasn’t as much to do but play football and think. While there I worked two Jobs doing Landscape work, and catering events for the university, but during this time I began to pick up photography, and fashion because I was offered a modeling gig for two clothing brands in Oklahoma. This gig sparked me into pursuing photography more than fashion, however. My Junior year I transferred to Fullerton Junior College in Fullerton, California. This move was very pivotal for my life. Moving to California and having to assimilate into their economy versus Oklahoma was a culture shock, everyone has two or three jobs and barely sleeps. The hustle and drive everyone had rubbed off on me and made me elevate the work ethic I already had. At this time, I began to go shop on Rodeo drive, and at other California attractions like Melrose also. I then thought to myself one day like, “Man I’m spending thousands of dollars on somebody’s clothes I never met, have done anything for me or my community, nor will ever do anything for me and my community. I can make some graphics to put on a shirt that looks better or similar quality for less than what I bought one shirt for.” This led to me to coming up with the brand “Forever $chemin” which is a phrase alluding to resilience, and determination. No matter what happens win or lose to keep going there is literally no limit to what you can accomplish in life so why not keep going and leave a legacy worth remembering? My brand is luxury streetwear, I see it as the art and spirit of hustler combined with high-quality fashion. Once I left Cali I continued my football career one more semester at Hardin-Simmons University before I transferred to Texas Southern University where I am currently a full-time student at and graduate next spring. While at Texas Southern, I joined the entrepreneur club called Young Entrepreneurs Organization, and have received two President awards for academic excellence, and began two more business ventures which are Luxury Empire Concierge (Private Car Rentals/Concierge Services), and Assured Professionals (Taxes/Notary/Credit) a Financial Consultation business. I’ve been starting partnerships with other growing businesses as well since I been in Houston. I now work as the internship coordinator and head of the apparel with RealToonTV Media & Productions LLC also. I have had my clothes in 2 stores, 1 in Houston (Soul’d Out) and 1 in Fort Worth (Heaton Feet), I am also working on contracts with 3 other stores currently.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been far from smooth, but most definitely worth it. I’m one of those people who see beauty in the struggle. I’ve moved between 3 different states since the age of 19 and traveled to over 8 states in the past year alone all while maintaining a 3.3 GPA. I can say all the moving I’ve done has given me perspective that you can’t buy. The largest obstacle I can say for me though has been organization and forming a system for my businesses to operate smoother but once you get things rolling it’s up to you to stay consistent with whatever you’re doing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Forever $chemin Apparel & Co.?
My clothing brand Forever $chemin has been rapidly growing in the Southern part of the country, I’ve dropped over 25 branded items and we recently just surpassed a year of being in business. I’ve been on pop-up tours at concerts/events & featured in events all across Texas in every major city with various artists Sauce Walka, Voochie P, Rizzo Rizzo, Slim Thug, Quando Rondo, RMC Mike, RoadRunna Cmoe, Lil Migo, Stunna 4Vegas, BL Double, Waka Flocka, Splurge, Trapboy Freddy & others. My brand is featured in several music videos with labels such as 1501, TSF, NBA & Inner Circle, and as of recent two fashion shows in Houston. I was also just featured in the BET TV series “College Hill: Celebrity Edition.” My brand exemplifies what it means to wear luxury streetwear from the quality to the detail of every design. We recently just dropped two Graphic Tee’s; one is our $treetracer Tee & the other our $cheme Fest Exclusive Tee. We are also in the process of planning a 2 month pop-up tour in the states of Georgia, Florida & New York.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Some advice I would say for networking is never rush the vibe with anyone, or anything. Work, create, go out to events and showcase your work. The energy of who you need to work with and be around will attract. If someone is excelling in your lane, show them love and let them know you rock with them, buy something, then see how the conversation goes. Never expect anything for free from anyone, and never do anything free that you can’t. You can become friends with a business partner before you can be a business partner with a friend.
Contact Info:
- Email: foreverscheminllc@gmail.com
- Website: foreverschemin.com
- Instagram: theyclapfor_kc | @forever.schemin
- Facebook: Forever Schemin Apparel & Co.
- Twitter: ForeverSchemin_
Image Credits
@jiggyvisuals
@foreverschemin.visualz
@bb_mgmt
