We had the good fortune of connecting with D’Vontre Dotson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi D’Vontre, what role has risk played in your life or career?
From my experience risk are essential to level up your business and your lifestyle. As an entrepreneur you are already taking a risk by starting up a business because statistically 45% of new companies fail within the first 5 years, dedication is a risk when you don’t know if you will make it all the way or not but the thrill of that journey is unmatched. Although I do think with my stomach in decisions with Designer Streetwear Label T’FUŁA Attire® I’m constantly diving into risky situations that may (or may not) work. Such as getting involved with Pop Up Shops, Fashion Shows, & Collaborations. Going into those events of course you have high expectations but occasionally things will turn out the complete opposite. You might look at that as a “bad’ risk but in reality its not because you were able to experience what was wrong and now you have the best opportunity to adjust. There are no bad risk, only much needed lessons. The times the risky situations do go in your favor its important to reflect on how you reacted before & after, that will assist you in how you decide what risk to take in the future.
Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
T’FUŁA Attire® is a Designer Streetwear Label. I emphasize that because it is not just your average ‘clothing brand’ that you may see a lot of these days. T’FUŁA Attire® offers unique, high quality, & creatively intact pieces that will surely have someone looking hard or looking twice. Executing those elements while always incorporating the symbolism of purple and orange is what sets T’FUŁA Attire® apart. Professionally, I got where I am today by working smart, building my structure, & taking risks. Its not at all easy but if you want to succeed at something of high caliber you gotta be willing to shoot through any challenge in your path. Thats the mindset I keep when I’m having those painful times that EVERY business owner goes through, but those are the times you really find out who you are as a business person.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being the aesthetic-driven person I am, when I’m ready to go out n about I like to visit places with a clear theme. For example in the Downtown Denver area a lot of people don’t know that there are countless art galleries that you can walk through. This definitely builds inspiration for me when I’m ready to go soak some up. On another note more scenic places like redrocks, lookout mountain, & cave of the winds gives a whole different level of aesthetic feel. For me that’s not as inspirational as the galleries but it is literally a breath of fresh air, sometimes you need to get out in Mother Nature and let your mind flow as it pleases without having a certain agenda for what you “should” be thinking about.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family deserves a shoutout for always supporting T’FUŁA Attire® since the first design hit a Gildan tee. Especially my grandparents for allowing me to have my first Design Studio in their basement & seeing the vision from the very beginning. I must also give a shoutout to the culture of streetwear in general. All the black designers before me really paved the way for designers like myself to be able to step into the fashion scene without having to avoid our “street” roots.
Website: Tfulaattire.com
Instagram: @tfula.attire