Lawrence Nurse: Entrepreneur/Designer of the Triple L Society Clothing Brand

By Natalege Whaley, Age 19

Name: Lawrence Nurse Age: 19

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
School: S.U.N.Y. at  Old Westbury
Occupation: Designing Triple L Society for 3 1/2 years

Natalege Whaley [SIL]:  What inspired you to start Triple L?
Lawrence Nurse: The Love for fashion and the want to look different and to add a new flavor the fashion plate.

SIL: What is the significance of the name? What does it mean to you?

LW: Well, the three L’s in Triple L Society means Live, Life, Lavish. I tend to call it a lifestyle clothing brand because not only do I want people to wear the clothes, I also want them to represent the messages that are put into everyone of my pieces.   “Live Life Lavish” is the main message that comes out of the brand. I believe that life should be lived large and to the fullest because you are only given one chance. Hence, the use of the word “Lavish” which means to have a great amount of riches or wealth.

SIL: How long have you been designing Triple L Society?
LW: For 3 1/2 years now.

SIL: Who is your clothing line’s target consumer?
LW: Basically, I’m targeting a young high class crowd. Anyone can wear my pieces, from young to those who are advanced in age, as long as you carry the brand like it’s your own. For the fall season, the line is going to be more focused on the lavish concept, so expect more of a casual, mature look.

SIL: What is your creative process for designing your clothes?
LW: I study a lot of art. Artist like Chuck Close inspired me. Also, taking in what goes on around me…I usually take it and make it my own unique style.

SIL: How often do you release a new line?
LW: By seasons. Summer, fall, and spring, whenever there’s a need to release something new.

SIL: What are your goals for Summer 2008?
LW: Getting the line out there a little bit more, Fashion Shows, trade shows; getting it out to public and into the hands of people who would help the brand out.

SIL: How is your line different from any other clothing line that people may want to compare it to?
LW: The meaning of the clothing is different; in every piece there is a hidden message or a bold message played out in the artwork. What makes my line different is most of the other up and coming brands create products by fads they try to do what every one else is doing at the time .  As we also know, fads are here for but so long.  Personally, I feel that this is going to create a watered down fashion world where every thing is going to be the same. Triple L is a street wear clothing line with a high end twist. I think this breaks the line off from every one else. At the end of the day, I want to create a market for high-end Street wear.
SIL: How do you market and advertise your line?
LW: My online magazine (www.triplelsociety.com); Myspace  -myspace.com/triplelsocietycom); Online blog magazines such as Hype Beast; Neck Deep.  We attend a lot of trade shows such as United, and Pool. We can be found in a limited amount of stores around NYC. One of our main sellers is Stack House which is located in the downtown Brooklyn area and in Soho, Manhattan .
SIL: What are the challenges of having your own business?
LW: A lot of stress.  It also takes a lot of hard work and persistence;. You can’t take opinions to the heart; you just have to take what you find is positive and what will help you in the long run, and put the rest in the back of your head.
SIL: Where do you see your line a year from now?
LW: I definitely would like to see the brand in more exclusive stores and major carriers around the world. I’m always open to doing more press to promote the brand and myself. Every season I try to add something new to the line, whether it’s a baseball jacket or a belt. As the line grows, your definitely going to see new things.
SIL:  What is your long-term goal with the line?
LW: No limits; I want it to go as far as it can go. At the end of the day I’m trying to hit the high end market then create my own market.

SIL: What advice would you give to another young person starting their own business?
LW: Bring something new. Your line has to be unique because that’s what makes your brand what it is.

If you would like to be seen in the latest gear from Triple L Society, visit the Stack House, located at  282 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012.  For item availability, call (212) 925-6931 or contact triplelsociety@yahoo.com.

Natalege Whaley is a Journalism Major at Howard University.

High School of Fashion Industries’ Student Designer: ANDREA PITTER

By Shanice Issacs

Name and Age: Andrea Tora Pitter, Age 16

Place you represent: I’m from Brooklyn NY, but my family is Jamaican
SIL: What motivated you to become a fashion designer?

Andrea: I always liked clothing, but when I started modeling at age10, I was interested in the behind the scenes work.

SIL: What steps are you taking to achieve your goal?

Andrea: Well, my clothes are now advertised and I am gaining contacts. My mom just hired a great publicist for me.
SIL: Where do you see yourself in a few years?
Andrea: I know my future holds an infinite amount of possibilities. You never know where one thing can take you.
SIL: How would you describe your designs?
Andrea: My designs are rather eclectic. I have different styles; hip-hop, couture, evening, urban and so many others. I like the idea of class with a heart beat. I really enjoy designing gowns, they aren’t the simplest things but each one is very special to me. I also make bags and wristlets. Hmm, I love to make jackets, but you have to pay close attention to detail.
SIL: Do you sell your designs?
Andrea: Yes I do, I have two lines. One is more affordable and the other is more high-end.

SIL: Who inspires you?
Andrea: I love Betsy Johnson and Heatherette. I also love my environment, which inspires me.
SIL: What makes you express yourself through designing, rather than through something else?
Andrea: When I was growing up, I was exposed to more things than most kids. I did poetry and art, but fashion is my niche.
SIL: How and when did you become focused on what you wanted to do?
Andrea: really became focused when I got to H. S. of Fashion Industries because our school is competitive. You have to be on your game.
SIL: Do you have any idea for a name for your company?
Andrea: I’m looking at Pantora, it’s a combination of my first, middle and last name.
SIL: What is the hardest and best part of what you do?
Andrea: Believe it or not,the hardest thing is to deal with people; you sometimes have to deal with the hardest people. That’s the best part too because you are able to extend your capabilities when you have no choice.
SIL: Do you have to make sacrifices in order to do what you do?
Andrea: I have to give up my weekends sometimes, and I constantly have meetings with people all the time and it’s hard to keep track of everything.
SIL: How much support do you get from outside influences?
Andrea: I didn’t realize how supportive our school was until this year, especially because there are so many people aiming towards a similar goal, but there are still some negative influences.
SIL: Does carrying out your goal affect your performance in school?
Andrea: I don’t think so; it actually gives me something to look forward to besides homework. If my grades slip, I work for it to go back up. I never blame it on fashion and I mostly say it’s because of my multi-tasking.

Vincent Michael Martella & Tyler James

Name: Tyler James Williams

Birthdate: October 9, 1992
Character on Show: Chris
What part of New York are you from?
Yonkers, NY.

Favorite Meal:
My mom’s Mac and Cheese

Any Pets?
A dog, he’s a Silky Terrier named Benny Rough-Neck’ Williams

Siblings: Brothers, Tyrel 8 and Tylen 3. They also act.

How long have you been acting?
8 Years

What was your first acting job?
I worked on Sesame Street when I was 4.

Inspiration:
When I saw the first Men in Black, I saw Will Smith and told my mom, “I want to do that.”

Notable jobs:
Bobby on Little Bill, Fruit Roll Up commercial, Saturday Night Live

How do you relate to your character on the show?
I also went to an all-white school. There were some bullies. Kids get jealous.

Working with Chris Rock:
It’s wonderful working with Chris. He’s so funny, so charismatic and so down to earth.

Do you want to go to college?
Yes, I definitely plan to go to college. My mother wants me to get a scholarship—
she wants academic, my father wants sports. I’m thinking of getting both.

Do you get along with the other kids on the show?
We play basketball together, we go swimming, we go to the movies, we do everything together.

Name: Vincent Michael Martella

Birthdate: November 15, 1992

Birthplace: Rochester, NY,
Currently resides in Florida

Character on Show: Greg

Favorite Films: Ace Ventura and Digging to China

Favorite Sport: Basketball

What books are you reading?
I read Harry Potter and The Series of Unfortunate Events and of course scripts.

Favorite Songs?
Well I’m more into the older rock bands like The Beatles, The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John. I find it very intriguing because I play the
piano and I sing and these bands sparked my interest because they do the same,

How’d you get into acting?
I was always a ham, always making jokes. Then I got into singing and dancing at 3. At age 5, I was acting in national commercials.

Which directors would you like to work with?
Steven Spielberg and Oliver Stone. Balancing school & a career…School work is not a problem because we have tutors on the set. Back in my school
in Florida I’m in the gifted program.

Working with Chris Rock…
Chris is great. He’s on the set all the time, he keeps the adrenaline popping on the set. Tell us about your character, Greg. Greg is Chris’ best
friend and they’re both the outcasts of the school. Chris is the only black kid in the school and I’m not exactly the coolest kid in the school and I’m very smart.

Farrah Gray: The Reallionaire

By Fatimah Payne

How many six year olds do you know that started a business? Well, Farrah Gray did and today he stands as a twenty-one year old, self-made millionaire. Between the ages of 12 and 16, Farrah founded and operated several distinctive businesses including, the One Stop Mail Boxes & More Franchise, KIDZTEL
pre-paid phone cards, Farr-Out Foods, and Teenscope Youth AM/FM, an interactive teen talk show.  Farr-Out Foods grossed over $1.5 millions dollars and when he sold his company, Gray became a millionaire. Farrah is internationally known and recognized as a leader, strategic planner, business developer, financial manager, and best-selling author. Say it Loud! had the chance to talk to this mover and shaker:
SIL: What inspired you to become an entrepreneur at such a young age?
Farrah: I believe that comfort is the enemy of achievement. When people are comfortable, they really don’t feel like they have to bring about change. I grew up poor, so my family was uncomfortable, my lifestyle was uncomfortable, and I had to sleep on the floor with rats and roaches. We didn’t even have furniture. There were days that would go by when we didn’t eat anything at all. For me, being poor pushed me; poverty was my motivation.
SIL:What was the first step you took towards fulfilling your goals?
Farrah: The first step that I took was the rock company. I went and painted over sized rocks that I found in the street and everyday I would knock on people’s doors and try to sell the rocks that were painted. I told people that they were bookends, paperweights, and doorstops. That’s how I sold it to them.
This was my first business and I made $50. I took my mom out to dinner with what I made.
SIL: How do you balance your social and business life as a twenty-one year old?
Farrah: I think that with anything you do in life you have to find a balance. You have to balance parties and you have to balance your friends that want
to do other things. You also have to have discipline. The only way to become successful is to have discipline. You have to be able to tell yourself, ‘Okay! I
have to get this done, even though I may not really feel like doing it.
SIL: What sacrifices did you have to make?
Farrah: I had to sacrifice my pride at times, because anytime you’re creating a business people always laugh at you. They would say that it was never going to
work. They would try to put me down and that was embarrassing sometimes. I had to sacrifice a lot of free time. I had to sacrifice sleep and sitting in front
of the T.V. and not doing anything at all. I think with any greatness you have to have sacrifice.
SIL: How much support did you get from outside influences?
Farrah: You really have to drum up your own support sometimes and really believe in what you’re doing. I had to knock on a lot of doors before I got support from anyone. In a lot of cases, I would meet someone and they would put me on to another person and things would start rolling from there.
SIL: How important is it not to limit yourself? Or, do you think that you have to set limitations?
Farrah: I think that it’s important to limit yourself in regards to your goals. I find that a lot of people really set goals for things that they really aren’t good at. I encourage people to find what it is that God put you here to do. Ask yourself some questions: 1. What comes easy for you and is hard for other people? 2. What do people always compliment you on? 3. What would you do for years and never get paid for it?
SIL: Did you know that you would get this far?
Farrah: I wanted to get this far, but I never thought that I would. You dream and desire so much, you never really know how far all the hard work can take you. I had a dream of making a difference and I dedicate my life to that every day. I try to speak to as many people as I can across the country. If I grew up in the projects on the south side of Chicago and made it this far, any one can.
SIL: Have you reached your ultimate goal?
Farrah: One of them, yes. My ultimate goal was to retire my mom and my grandmother, and I did that when I was fourteen. I bought them a house and they have no financial need.
SIL: What was the most difficult obstacle that you had to overcome?
Farrah: Being so young, that people don’t take you seriously. People think you are joking, or that it’s a trend or something. A lot of people didn’t see me as a real entrepreneur. Getting people to take me seriously at that age was the hardest thing.
SIL: Having now set the bar for young entrepreneurs, is there any advice you would like to give them?
Farrah: Believe in yourself when no else will and don’t surround yourself with negative people. I always say, let your haters be your motivators. I was saying that before T.I. said it, thank you.

For more information about Farrah Gray or the
Farrah Gray Foundation check out:
www.farrahgrayfoundation.com

Meet Hannah Hodson

Hannah Hodson is definitely making moves.  You’ve seen her in Spike Lee’s “They Said” commercial promoting the new Air Jordans and she just recently completed the starring role as Blanca, a young girl who has been infected with H.I.V, in Lee’s upcoming short film, Jesus Children of America.   Hannah took a moment for say it Loud! magazine.  Let’s see why this teen is definitely about to blow up!

Age: 13
Residence:  Brooklyn, NY
Siblings: 1 little sister named Josie

Profession: Actress

Favorite Films: I Am Sam, Napoleon Dynamite

Favorite Book(s): Running with Scissors, the Lovely Bones, Me Talk Pretty One Day

Favorite Song: Right now, I listen to Hollaback Girl at least five times a day; I think it’s just a phase though.  I would have to say my all time favorite song is, Come Together  by The Beatles.

Favorite Type of Music: Rock mostly, and Hip-Hop too.

Favorite Artists:  The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Strokes, Eminem, The White Stripes, and my mother just recently turned me on to Joni Mitchell.

Favorite Pets: Everybody has to have a dog, I don’t know if I could live without my little Dachshund Sydney.

In my Spare Time: I really just like to hang out with friends.

How did you get into acting, and what was your first job:  Well, my father is an actor, and I’ve always had an interest in acting, so one day out of the blue my father asks me if I want to set up a meeting with the agent at his agency (Abrams).  My second audition was a Nike commercial directed by Spike Lee.  I got the job, and the experience was amazing.  Getting to meet him was a great opportunity because then he cast me Jesus Children of America.

What is the hardest and best part of what you do? The hardest part is definitely trying to feel the emotion of the character. The best part of acting is seeing the final result.  Being able to see the outcome of all your work, and the work of the people who helped you do it, is such a satisfying feeling.

Who or what inspires you?  I get inspiration from everywhere.  My parents, friends, everyone who supports me in my life inspire me.   Even people who don’t support me are an inspiration for me to try harder with everything in my life.

What is your mantra?  Those who care don’t matter, and those who matter don’t care.  I don’t know who came up with that saying, but it really reminds me to be myself and not care when people are critical of me.

What are your plans after high school? After high school, I certainly would like to go to college, and I don’t think I would major in the arts, just because I always need to have a fallback career.  I will probably minor in the performing arts, but as for my major, I really don’t know.  It all seems so far away, but when I think about it, it’s only four years until I’m off to college.  I think that my high school career will shape my idea of what I want to study in college, until then, I’m going to think about less stressful things.

What advice  would give to teens?  Everybody experiences peer pressure.  Just be original, and don’t let your friends control your lifestyle.  I’ve found a group of friends at my school who don’t care how I dress, talk or act because they accept me for who I am.