Jordan TD Low designed by J’s Customs
As young child I loved to build and recreate structures. I thought I wanted a career in construction because I truly enjoyed building houses, skyscrapers and many things out of legos or building blocks. One day my aunt said you should be an architect. After she explained what an architect did and I did further research, I no longer wanted to be a construction worker. I became very fond of architecture and around that time, I began designing what my dream home would look like; from the master bedroom to the family room and let's not forget the resort in the backyard.
Prior to architecture I always looked at art as one-dimensional. Art to me was simple; it was painting, coloring and drawing particular pictures. As I began to design more and more I began to realize I am an artist in my own rights. Art is simply putting your thoughts on a canvas in picture form. No words are necessary because the artist expresses himself through the variations of colors, lines, dimensions and etc. I took courses in high school to enhance my artistic ability in architecture. I even took it a step further and enrolled at the one of the most prestigious HBCUs, Hampton University to resume my studies in architecture as they were highly accredited for their architecture program. I quickly learned that architecture was more involved and detailed than I had thought. Due to the demands of the class, I took the easy way out and switched majors to business administration.
That is one area where if I could go back and change my decision, I would. It was during that time when I began to take on another form of art becoming a barber. I've been cutting my hair for a few years and from time to time my folks trusted me enough to cut my brother's hair. I was my own test dummy. If I could not do it to my own hair I was not going to attempt on someone else. Barbers cannot erase their "oops"! When I got requests for fades, I'd tell them to go the campus barbershop. As a freshman at Hampton other young men entrusted me to cut their hair because they saw me cut my own hair and wanted me to tighten them up. In the words of Antonio Brown business was boomin! Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday I'd have a line outside of my dorm of guys waiting to get a haircut. I had the desire to do art.
Fast-forward 13-14 years, the form of art came to me in designing shoes. I had quite the shoe collection however wanted to "sauce up" some of my older sneakers. Like most things that we start, the beginning is a very slow and a mistake riddled process! I messed up dozens of sneakers and I almost gave up. It wasn't until an athlete of mine came by for a haircut and upon his departure he saw a pair of cleats I customized for myself. Now these cleats were not the greatest but he saw something and we collaborated on what he wanted done to his cleats. Meanwhile, I'm doing a great deal of research because he was going to tell people I did them! I couldn't have the shoes looking like anything more importantly he wear them and paint chipping everywhere. Needless to say they came out great but knowing what I know now I would have done some things differently. The shoes attracted plenty of attention but no one requested to have their shoes done. I decided to take the knowledge and create a saucy pair for myself calling them the sunrise/sunset. I sent a picture of them to a good friend (Morgan) who is a professional athlete and he was thoroughly impressed. He gave me with a shot and that thrust me to where I am now. Since then I have completed 3 more pairs for him and in doing so, many have seen my work on social media platforms and have reached out to have their shoes done.
I'm grateful that God has given me this gift and the opportunities. I'm a firm believer of Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This is one of my favorite scriptures and a constant reminder that God has the best plan for my life. It may not start out the way I intend/like but I know in the end it will be a masterpiece.
J's Customs was instilled in me as far as I can remember! Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." Although my faith wavered throughout my journey, I didn't lose my love for God. I'm thankful that things are working together for good!
How are things working for you?
Jordan TD Low designed by J’s Customs