Every dream begins with a single step. For me, it started during my first year of college, amidst the stillness of the pandemic. Life was confined to screens, and everything felt uncertain. I was a studious kid back then, focused on academics, but the monotony of online classes left me craving for more, something exciting, something meaningful.

That’s when I stumbled upon an idea. Why not try earning my own money? With a curious mind and a determined heart, I decided to start selling sportswear. I sourced bulk articles from a nearby market and launched a small Instagram page named “BROTHERHOOD WEAR” My customers? My college mates.

The thrill of selling my first few pieces is something I’ll never forget. In the very first month, I managed to sell 21 or 22 articles. To many, that might seem insignificant, but for me, it was everything. It wasn’t just about the money—it was about the excitement of creating something of my own.

As college reopened in the second year, I noticed a shift. People were no longer just wearing basic sportswear,they were into oversized tees with quirky, bold prints. At the time, I didn’t know much about streetwear culture, but I could sense its growing popularity. It was a whole vibe, a way for people to express themselves.

I realized I had to pivot. With all the profit I had earned from sportswear, I decided to invest in 30 surplus oversized tees with mixed prints. My friend and I loaded the tees onto my scooty and went door-to-door in the neighborhood, showing them to friends and acquaintances. That day, we sold half the stock. I came back home, excited beyond words, and shared the news with my parents.

That’s when I fell in love with the process—the hustle, the excitement of selling, and the joy of seeing people wear something I had brought to life.

For months, I worked hard to grow my Instagram page. By then, we had built a small but loyal community of 2000 followers. One day, a reel went viral, and we received 25-30 orders in a single day. It was surreal. Someone suggested to run Instagram boost adds, and we did, we got a great response either, on a single day we gained 100+ followers.

But just as things started looking up, everything came crashing down. Our ability to run ads got permanently banned due to a mistake. I was shattered. It felt like all my hard work was for nothing. Amidst the disappointment, I was talking to a few loyal customers, sharing my struggles, when one of them said: “Why don’t you start your own streetwear brand? The way you collect surplus articles is proper drip. If you have such a great eye for prints, you should create something original.”.

That word drip hit me like, curious, I looked up the word “drip.” It represented style, confidence, and individuality—everything I wanted my brand to embody. The name “Drip Studios” felt perfect. It wasn’t just a name; it was a promise to produce the best “drip” for my community. That day, Drip Studios was born

I knew nothing about manufacturing, sizing, fabric quality, or printing. But I was eager to learn. I found a manufacturer through Instagram and placed my first order: 100 premium 240 GSM tees (that too got suggested to me by the manufacturer) with five unique designs. I spent hours finding the right prints, modifying them to make them original, and poured all my profits into this first drop.

The manufacturer promised the order would be ready in 7–8 days. But days turned into weeks, and it took 30 long days for the order to arrive. By then, my excitement had turned into frustration. Worse, the tees weren’t what I had envisioned. The quality was subpar, the prints were misaligned, and the overall finish didn’t meet my standards. It felt like a punch in the gut. I had already taken pre-orders from some loyal customers, and now I had to face them with products that weren’t perfect. The manufacturer refused to take responsibility, leaving me feeling defeated. I thought about giving up. But my friends and family encouraged me to keep going. They reminded me that setbacks are part of every journey. So, I got creative. I collaborated with influencers, gave away 20–25 tees for promotions, and sold the remaining stock at discounted prices just to recover some of the investment.

THE TWO-MONTH HUSTLE: FINDING MYSELF AND REBUILDING TRUST

After the disappointment of my first batch of tees, I knew I couldn’t let the setback define my journey. I took a two-month break, not to rest, but to regroup and rebuild. I was determined to make things right—not just for myself but for the people who had supported me from the beginning.

During this time, I did everything I could to learn and grow. I worked a temporary job on the side to earn some money and invested my free hours into understanding the streetwear industry. I visited fabricators to learn about different types of cloth, spent hours with graphic designers to grasp the basics of Photoshop, and began sketching patterns and ideas for my next drop. I even worked closely with a nearby tailor to bring my vision to life, creating samples that reflected my passion and creativity. I was determined to make this drop different—to make it special. My goal wasn’t just to sell hoodies; it was to create pieces that resonated with people, something minimal yet infused with the vibrant, Gen Z energy that set my brand apart.

THE FIRST PERFECT DROP:

NOVEMBER 2ND After weeks of hard work and preparation, I planned a drop of 120 hoodies in four different colors, each with a print I poured my heart into. I wanted everything to be flawless this time, so I took no chances. I personally supervised every detail, from fabric selection to print placement. At the DTF factory, I made sure every print was positioned perfectly to avoid the mistakes of the past. Each hoodie was pressed, packed, and handled with care. I even wrote a heartfelt, handwritten message for every single customer—something personal to let them know how much their support meant to me.

It was October 25th when I unveiled the mockups on Instagram and announced the drop. I still remember the excitement coursing through me as I started taking pre-orders. I reached out to every regular customer, friend, and family member—120 people in total—with a convincing message about the quality and care behind the hoodies. To earn their trust, I introduced a simple yet powerful policy: if they weren’t satisfied, they could return the hoodie, no questions asked.

The response was overwhelming. By the time my birthday rolled around on November 2nd, I had already secured around 65–70 orders. That day, as I packed the hoodies with my mom and sister’s help, I was filled with emotions I can’t even put into words.

A birthday to remember

Today, Drip Studios is more than just a brand. It’s a community, a culture, and a reflection of my journey. We’ve come a long way from sourcing surplus articles to creating premium-quality streetwear.

I now have a small but dedicated team, including three tailors and a pressing master. Our articles are made from combed, bio-washed fabrics, steam-pressed for perfection, and packaged with care. Every drop is designed to deliver top-notch quality at an economical price.

We’ve grown to a point where we fulfill 20–25 orders daily—a dream I once thought was impossible. But I know this is just the beginning. There’s still so much more to achieve, more risks to take, more milestones to conquer and more way to go before I sleep.

Everything we do at Drip Studios is for you—our community. Every design, every drop, and every message is crafted with you in mind. Your support is what keeps us going.

As I continue to create, I promise to stay true to the essence of Drip Studios: style, quality, and individuality.

Together, we’re building something special—a brand that’s not just about clothes but about a movement.

Here’s to the journey ahead. Thank you for being a part of it. ( Not the big, but soon to be, TRUST THE PROCESS. )

– The Founder, Drip Studios