Marshall Danzy’s startup, Danzy Design Studio, was selected in 2024 to collaborate with clothing powerhouse Abercrombie & Fitch. This was quite a heady experience for the young designer from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Danzy worked at an Abercrombie in his teenage years and credits the spirit of Black Wall Street with guiding his entrepreneurial journey.

Of course, success didn’t come overnight. It took years of hard work. Twenty years ago, Danzy, while working as a retail associate during the day and a production assistant for a TV station at night, started selling his custom-painted shoes in a boutique on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. As sales exploded, the boutique’s owner requested T-shirts to match, and Danzy’s entrepreneurial dream took flight.

In addition to all the hard work, the lessons Danzy learned along the way helped him build his brand into the success it is today. Here are startup secrets that Danzy learned as he built his brand.

Ask ‘Why?’

As much as possible, ask why and what. Curiosity opens the door to imagination. You’ve got to ask yourself if something is missing in the marketplace or whether X, Y, or Z can or has been done. Allow your childlike wonder to be a driving force.

Ask ‘What if?’

Build worlds in your head and then work to make them a reality. Imagine your idea fully fleshed out 10 to 20 years down the line and let that be your driving force. When he started his brand, Danzy already knew how he wanted his products to look and feel. His imagination helped him focus on making his dreams real.

Expand your parameters

It’s in the details. In the early stages of his brand, Danzy was tie-dyeing sweatsuits by hand, but he wanted to do something more. He needed them to stand out. The bright colors weren’t enough. “I added a classy green label to the exterior of each casual piece, which was not the norm at the time,” Danzy said. “So much so that when I approached a certain store, they asked me to remove the tags so they could sell them easier.” Danzy refused, explaining that the tag was an integral part of the piece. This design innovation became what his brand is known for.

Your vision is important

A belief in your vision will help you to outlast others. A bold move when starting out easily has the potential to set you back. But when you’re pursuing your vision, you’ve got to push on. “I approached a lot of stores when I was establishing my brand,” Danzy said. “I was fortunate to find a store that saw my vision.”

Step into the unknown

If there isn’t a chance of failure, your dream is too small. This may be one of the most vital experiences an entrepreneur can have. On your journey, failing big and failing often can become a part of the process. “Before my most recent line, Danzy, I had two other failed fashion brands,” he said. “However, the lessons I learned along the way were and are priceless.”

Build your community

Relationships matter. Bridges are made to cross, not to burn. Never burn a bridge. You don’t know which bridge leads to your success. “My collaboration with Abercrombie & Fitch is a direct result of bridges being crossed,” Danzy explained. “Had I not fostered the early relationships and remembered those early individuals who were champions for my career and me personally, they wouldn’t have felt comfortable pitching Danzy to Abercrombie for my most recent collaboration.”

Don’t wait until it’s perfect

Perfection is an embraced process. “Just start! Sketch that idea. An idea in your head is just that — an idea. But the entrepreneur’s DNA is to make ideas a reality. Your social media and friend group is your focus group — use them as your community,” Danzy advised.