N-MB | Chicago Streetwear - Can U Feel This?

When Opportunity Knocks Next Door

This is the story of how N-MB began with a simple conversation on the streets of North Lawndale. Sometimes the universe puts exactly what you need right outside your door—you just gotta step out and see it.

The Unexpected Connection

I was just starting to look into clothing design literally just browsing ideas online. Decided to check out some fabric stores I found nearby and walked outside my place. That's when my neighbor—who you see in most of these photos—was outside and happened to ask what I was up to.

I told him I was about to go check out some fabric stores and we instantly connected when he shared that he'd been designing clothes for himself for over 15 years. The universe was already aligning things but I ain't even know it yet.

The Michelangelo of the Hood

He showed me the stuff he was making out his home and I was blown away. I had a true artisan, Michelangelo of the hood so to speak, living less than 500 ft from me. When he asked what I was thinking about doing, I kinda shyed away seeing as he was so established—pressing his own denim accents with his logo, interior of the open shirt branded accent notes, and I had only operated a shirt press a couple times.

I tried to brush it off like "Ahh I'm just playing with the ideas right now, I probably won't start for a few months when I got some other stuff worked out." I was trying to take pressure off myself but also subconsciously telling myself to wait—when the universe was clearly giving me a divine signal to take action.

Sharing the Vision

When I looked at him, I could see he genuinely wanted to help me out and share his knowledge. We both agreed that we want big closets (pause) that can fit a lot of clothes from different brands. But all those brands gotta stand for something more than just a design.

I definitely respected his brand, so I put myself out there and gave him what I would call an initial prompt from my AI development background. I gave him the ol' "I really gotta make these moves but basically..." and explained the concept of "numb without you" but playing off the U removed from the word in different aspects. I told him I was looking for the "small polo horse" version of the company—a 99% plain shirt or hoodie with the smallest logo or graphic representation that doesn't do too much but is branded, for our minimalist supporters (like myself sometimes).

Prototype to Reality in Hours

He told me he didn't wanna hold me up, but he got the jist and we would talk later. I went to a few different stores and print and embroidery places in the community (avoiding large chains wherever possible and staying local to North Lawndale or the next closest thing).

About 3 hours later when I finished, I got home and Clyde was looking excited holding some garments. He produced what we now know as prototype 1 (shown in these slides with me and Clyde). I took one step toward fashion and SPOKE about making something happen, and God put a conduit right next door that had me a manifested prototype in less than 4 hours with no money down.

The Prototype Journey

From concept to creation - the first N-MB prototype came to life through collaboration.

From Concept to Sale in 24 Hours

Divine Timing

The even crazier part is as we were documenting the accomplishment the next day, another neighbor from a few houses down saw a hoodie and said "Man that's clean! Y'all selling those?!"

First Customer

I looked at Clyde like "I don't know how to make them, you do... are we selling these yet or does he have to wait?"

Taking Action

Clyde ain't miss a beat and said "Go lay your pitch on the prices and get the money and give me about 20 mins."

Community Power

Out the window I saw Clyde get up with dude and get him the merch. I had to force Clyde to take half the bread—he just wanted that sale for me so bad.

First Sale to Future Vision

The first sale marked the beginning of our journey - a testament to community support and the power of collaboration.

The Power of Stepping Out

I'm really in it for the symbolic achievement that it went from a word to object in 3 hours and a concept to a sale in less than 24—all in this community that some people say is bad, but made all this happen for me RIGHT OUTSIDE MY DOOR.

That was almost a year ago. I been a lil disappointed in myself because I think I've been waiting for something else like that to hit me, but those moments are rare. So today, May 4th, 2025, I'm at Monday Coffee on the block (3243 W. 16th St. North Lawndale, Chicago; support if you're in the area!) to open myself up to bumping into the right people because I know if we take a few steps towards something positive, God is gon bless it.

Building Through Challenges

I'm a big fan of Jensen Huang, the CEO of NVIDIA, who has made the comment "I Hope Suffering Happens To You" to his loved ones and valued employees on the premise that only through suffering, loss, trials, tribulations, and other external stresses can true character be built.

I'm in agreement with that idea and I believe in Khalil Gibran's poem about pain being a medicine prescribed by the physician within yourself, to accept it without protest in tranquility. For me, knowledge has always made me the calmest, so in a weird way, just knowing it's all going to be OK in the end even though I may stay stagnant or stumble. It's all on a plan to test me by taking me through this range of emotions.

Our Growth Journey

Every step of our journey, every challenge, has shaped N-MB into what it is today.

Community Over Everything

Clyde did my first prototype for free, I'm doing his website and tech services now, and we both got another specialized expert on our team that's HUNGRY. With a community like this that's seen it all, had everything thrown at it, had its name kicked around like dirt, and still comes together even though all our money is a lil funny to sacrifice for something bigger than ourselves—that's when I knew we had something special.

It's not about what you take from this life, it's what you leave. So please welcome Clyde from Rich Demeanor as one of the designers who has produced products for N-MB (and hopefully will in the future, but I know his brand is about to take off too—y'all gotta see the stuff my guy been working on!)

Collaboration Journey

Our journey together has created so many memorable moments. Here's a glimpse at our collaboration with Clyde and the community that has supported us along the way.

The N-MB Journey

Our story in pictures - from concept to creation.

Sometimes you just gotta step outside to see what the universe has waiting for you.

N-MB. "Did U Feel This?"

The Start of N-MB: Divine Timing