Enri Payne Stays Focused on His Plan

Trust is a Luxury | Portsmouth, VA

Enri Payne stays focused on his plan

Sometimes the spark that ignites the desire to start a business is as simple as a friend’s encouragement. That’s how it started for Enri Payne. He drew up a design and his friend told him it belonged on a t-shirt. 

The first step is believing

Of course starting Enri’s clothing brand Trust Is a Luxury wasn’t really that simple. Even though there are entrepreneurs on both sides of his family, growing up, Enri didn’t think being a business owner was a possibility for him. 

“I never had anyone who believed in me. So I always doubted my ability to create a successful business. I always thought starting a business was out of my reach financially as well.”

Enri dropped out of college and was working at Best Buy. He lived paycheck to paycheck and struggled to support his wife and children. He knew he had to make a change, but he never thought he had enough income to start a business. Sky’s the Limit has helped him see that he doesn’t need personal wealth to get started. 

“Skyʼs the Limit has given me the confidence through its mentorship program to let me know that as long as I took it step by step, plan and create a budget, I could reach the goal of owning and growing into a profitable business.” 

After launching several products, Enri has been trying other manufacturers for his clothing line. His mentor, Accenture IT Operation Engineer Niraj Tiwari, has been a huge support in connecting him with additional resources.

“Niraj has been phenomenal! He is helping me to find cheaper manufacturing in India. I am awaiting my first sample from an associate he introduced me to as of now.”

Forming a legacy

Trust Is a Luxury makes activewear and streetwear for people ages 15 to 30. The name comes from wanting customers to have a luxury clothing brand they can trust. Enri’s vision is for his clothes not just to look good but to make their wearers feel good. “My brand is meant to bring people together. I want to create a brand that is not only fun to wear but also socially conscious.”

To that end, Enri makes sure he gives back. He supports prison reform and donates to organizations that help at-risk youth. Enri doesn’t want success just for himself. He wants to build something he can pass down to his kids. “I want to show them and other low income children that you can achieve your dreams as long you stay focused.”

With his mentor Managing Partner at Attention Capital Ashlyn Gentry’s help, Enri has checked off several business milestones, including creating a business plan, making a website for the business, getting a business license, testing an idea, and getting customer feedback, and is on his way to many more.

Are you ready to take that first step in launching or growing your business?

Or, are you interested in mentoring or advising entrepreneurs like Enri?