Feel Good Friday: Building a brand, building a future

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - After a long day at work, 19-year-old Malik Smith heads to his basement to work on his passion project. He says it started when he trouble finding clothing he like, so he started making his own.

The name “Trending” popped into his head two years ago, so he got to work making a logo.

“First, I started with t-shirts. I think I did, like, five shirts and I just put the shoes with them. I had posted them on Facebook, and I’m like, I got this brand coming and everybody just started supporting it,” he recalled.

That response planted a seed and Malik began scouring the internet and watching YouTube videos to learn everything he could.

Over the last two years, he’s expanded his brand to include coats, sweatshirts, masks, hats and more. He sells all those items through social media and his new website.

Malik’s mother remembers the first time he shared his vision.

“I was like, ‘Okay, let’s do it!,” she said with a laugh. “I’m proud of him. Very proud of him. He could be doing a whole lot other bad things, but he’s doing something positive and staying positive with it.”

As the orders come streaming in, Malik shares this advice for other teens with a dream:

“Just stay consistent. Go for it and don’t let nobody stop you. And just work hard!”

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