Sick and tired of being average, Ryan Smith, 19, is no stranger to having to hustle. “I was right out of college looking for a job so I applied to this designing firm in St. Louis hoping to get a steady paycheck, but when I walked in they basically said ‘We’re not hiring’ in a snarky tone. I wanted to tell them you don’t know me; I decided then and there that I would go into business for myself and start my own design agency. I already had a portfolio and I’ve done work for people all over the country,” says Ryan who looks fondly back at how his career started, “I’ve always liked making money and had an eye for business.”

I was able to catch up with Ryan and get a glimpse into his world. Ryan’s graphics designs, Rottix alongside with his company, Kreativelementz has managed to gather a lot of positive attention. “I see myself more as a graphics designer and not a fashion designer because I don’t make the clothes themselves but I do make the graphics that go on the clothes.” As Ryan notes to one of the many reasons he started to design his own brand “People spend countless amounts of dollars on so-called limited edition wear that looks similar to everything else out there. I wanted to make something affordable and unique that would appeal to people like myself.” This up and coming entrepreneur knows the importance of defining a style of his own and with his unique brand of graphic designs for clothing wear, he has managed to stand out rather than trying to fit in.

When asked how his dream came to be, he simply states: “I’ve been in business for about four years now. I started my own graphics design for clothes of a collective style of graffiti, hip-hop, urban wear and tattoo style even a contemporary traditional wear. Even when I was a sophomore in high school, I wanted to be different. I use to do graffiti when I was younger and I know that’s where that particular style comes from.”

When asked what separates his particular style of graphic designs from everything else currently out there, Ryan jokingly replies, “There’s no comparison because everything else looks the same these days. These clothes today are getting’ stale, they try to hype it up in the magazines but Abercrombie don’t work for everyone. I want people to be able to come to me for very affordable independent style.” Those who are looking for excellent affordable wear for pretty much all occasions I would strongly advise our readers to visit Ryan Smith’s official website, www.kreativelementz.com. Readers and fans can also visit his facebook and MySpace, www.myspace.com/rottix.

“I know they say 10% of people who start their own companies fail and I know that’s what motivates me to work harder.” When asked if he had any encouraging words of advice to up and comers, he simply states, “don’t be discouraged to be different, if you have a dream then go for it.”

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