As we get close to 2017, I want to start adding entrepreneurs to the list of people I interview. As an artist in the digital age, most of you do more than one job anyway. It is a "do-it-yourself" environment and making money is always the goal. The interview below is with Sean Kelly, the owner of JerseyChamps.com.

Tell me a bit about Jersey Champs and how it got started.

Jersey Champs is a clothing line that specializes in custom made jerseys that feature unique designs that have awesome designs. It started in my college dorm room at Rutgers University in April of 2016.

Was there another clothing brand that inspired you?

No, I was mostly inspired by being able to express yourself on a jersey, unlike all the other normal sports jerseys out there that feature the same generic designs. There was also no rappers or hip-hop artists at the time selling jerseys out to their fans. It's pretty crazy how I inspired this movement and now record labels like OVO and artists like Lil Dicky have their own Jersey lines.

What is your role at the company? How has it changed over time?

I am the CEO of the company and hope to remain that way as long as possible! I hope to sell the company one day, but not for awhile.

What are some struggles you face being an entrepreneur in 2016?

A lot of criticism will come your way by people who doubt you, but you just have to use it as motivation. This will help guide you to success. In high school, I was told I would be a failure and was considered crazy by many people. My own friends(at the time) & parents even doubted me Isolating myself from all the negativity and just working my ass off helped me get to where I am today.

Who are some artists that wear your jerseys?

We currently have made custom jerseys for Logic, 21 Savage, Ab-Soul, Cash Cash, Iman Shumpert, Casey Veggies, Trigger Treach, Young Thug, Martavis Bryant, Terrance Williams, Darrelle Revis, Marshawn Lynch along with many other artists and athletes.

Do you reach out to the artists or do they reach out to you? or both?

We used to reach out to them, but now our reputation has spread and they tend to reach out to us. 21 Savage recently reached out to us and should be wearing our jersey at his next concert!

What events do you focus your custom jerseys around? Specific sporting events or music festivals?

We try to turn every major trending event into a jersey. Harambe & Trump were extremely big sellers for us in the past.

What's next for Jersey Champs?

We just launched a "skyline series" that features major cities on jerseys with their skyline. So far we have done Atlanta, Chicago, Mexico City, Paris & London. We have a lot more coming too!

Check out their website & social media channels below
www.JerseyChamps.com
Instagram.com/jerseychampsllc
Twitter.com/JerseyChampsLLC