We had the good fortune of connecting with Averien Turner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Averien, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Ever since I was a young kid, about 10 years old I always had a great amount of love for fashion. Then when the brand FUBU came out, I loved it so much that I always dreamed of starting my own brand. When I got out of high school at the age of 18, I went to barber school, I got out of barber school at the age of 19 then I stared working as a barber. I saved my money, then at the age of 20 I started my brand Humble Clothing Co. Then at the age of 28, I open my own barber shop Cuttie’s Barber Shop with my partner Jason Holloway. Following that a restaurant (Southern Fried), then at the age of 34 I open my first flagship store Humble Headquarters, selling just my brand Humble Clothing Company.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When I started my brand in 2007, it was a very hard task not just to get the brand noticed but it was hard to maintain. It’s take a good amount of money to maintain your brand in the fashion industry when your just starting you business. So I had to work slow, at the pace my money would let me go. Remember I was just starting out being a barber, so I wasn’t that good yet, so money was tough. But I stacked and I stacked until I had enough money to really make a move. But even that just wasn’t enough. It was very discouraging, but I understood that this was my passion and I can’t quit, I also knew I had a 2 year old son to feed. So I kept going, it was a slow grind for years, but I never gave up. Then I look up and life was different, after I open my store also my online store, humbleclothingcompany.com things changed. My brand started getting more recognition, celebrities, baseball players, football players started wearing my brand, high up people who I never would of thought would wear my brand. It has been a long road and I’m not done yet, but I’m here for the ride.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If one of my best friends would come in town, the spot I will have to take them to is this really good Mexican food spot called Ritos Mexican Food. Here in Arizona we are known for good Mexican food, and it’s one of my favorite foods to eat, so we will definitely have to go to a good food spot, I’m definitely a foodie. The after that we will do a little shopping, maybe go to Scottsdale mall and get a couple items to wear for the night so we can go out and have some drinks. I’m a big lounge person, I like to chill with good company I love a vibe, I’m not big on the club, so I like lounges.

The next day will probably be a chill day, go see some family & friends, of course eat some good food, but just a chill day, when you get older you definitely have to take it easy. Then the next day we have full day, maybe some top golf, go kart riding, water parks, then later that night go over some friends house for drinks and a game night. And of course good food.

Next day, will be adventurous day, hot air balloon, sky diving, river boating, something different but very fun. I like to live on the edge, you only live once. And of course some good food.

Here in Arizona we have a wonder of the world which is the Grand Canyon, if you love nature and beautiful sites, then the Grand Canyon is a great place to take someone who’s never experienced it before. It’s about 5 hours from the city, but it worth the drive. And for our finial night together, I will treat them to a nice 4 course meal and very nice place.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a special thank you to my mother Marilyn Turner. Without her support I don’t know where I would be. Also to all my people who supported me on this journey.

Website: WWW.HumbleClothingCompany.Com

Instagram: Humble Clothing

Facebook: Humble Clothing Company

Image Credits
Brandon Fields

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