August is Black Business Month and we’d like to introduce you to our member John Davis with Xtremely Hot Apparel LLC. To learn more, visit https://xtremelyhot.com.
What inspired you to begin your business?
God inspired me with the name, and the journey to begin working towards the business. It took me three years after founding the name “Xtremely Hot” in the desert of Las Vegas, NV, at 120 degrees to actually do my first t-shirt design.
The first shirt design was created by artist Jody Cheek, while working at JDP sports and designs owned by John David Patillo.
My finances were little to none, therefore I worked out a barter for cleaning screens in the back of the JDP Sports and designs in Poplar Bluff, MO, for exchange of artwork and product costs. I felt that the name and logo of “Xtremely Hot” could be the next Nike, Adidas, or Under Armour in the world of sports fashion and clothing.
Who was your first client?
“MBRC” Missouri Bootheel Regional Consortium, Xtremely Hot had received its first order for $3,367 in 2009 while in Portageville, MO.
Where did you begin your business?
Xtremely Hot began in the back of my pick-up truck, driving from town to town through the boot heel of Missouri searching for new sales. Today, I rely on the networking an online sales to increase brand awareness. I now have a van in the Atlanta area where I can pick up orders, and I use my home for inventory space prior to shipping orders out to customers.
What piece of advice would you tell your self when you started out?
No matter how many no’s and bad experiences I encountered, I refused to let that keep me from searching for the YES’s needed to continue the journey and become successful. Stay focused, determined, consistent, and more importantly, keep God first.
What are you most proud of?
Like a parent, I am proud of the conception/birth of the “Xtremely Hot” name, and the many pivot points it has taken in order to find its true place in society. Xtremely Hot inspires all walks of life to be the best they can be in all endeavors, whether its Christianity, life, work place, sports, or craft. Why be regular when you can be Xtremely Hot!
Anything else interesting that you want to share?
To the team of individuals and organizations who have assisted in the growth and journey of Xtremely Hot, I want to say Thank you from the bottom of my heart, because without you, there would be no “Xtremely Hot.” You can’t do it by yourself, it takes a TEAM.
Stemming from the desert of Las Vegas to the rural areas of the boot heel of Missouri to the ever so populous Atlanta region, “Xtremely Hot” has received assistance from genuine people as well as genuine organizations that did not have to assist, but they did anyway. Needless to say, Xtremely Hot wants to be just like the people and organizations that have stood in the gap for righteousness and success.