Star City Six: Eddie Brown
Eddie Brown is the owner of Vicente Clothiers (www.vicenteclothiers.com), a custom clothier offering an extensive portfolio of fabrics, garment types, shoes and accessories along with personal styling services.
Tell us a little about your business.
Vicente Clothiers offers custom clothing designed specifically for men and women looking to enhance their style and confidence! We can take care of your formal, professional, and casual wardrobe, complete with accessories. We go directly to clients for selection and fitting.
How did you get started in the business?
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed nice clothing since I was a child, as my mother taught me to always “dress for success!” I’m now 40 years of age and have always been drug and alcohol free; however, clothing has been my vice of choice for all these years. Not a bad problem and trade-off to have, in my opinion. In 2013 I had the opportunity to become an Independent Styling Consultant with a national men’s clothier, which I represented for the next three years. I was introduced to custom clothing, fit, growing a client base from scratch and servicing their wardrobe needs every season. After essentially growing my wings there, I eventually gained the confidence to parlay that experience into my very own clothing brand. In January 2017 I officially launched Vicente Clothiers. I thought about using my name “Eddie Brown” as the company name but my gut wasn’t sold on that, and then it hit me to use my oldest child’s name, which was perfect! The name Vicente has both Hispanic and Italian origins and many if not most of our luxurious fabrics come from Italy. It also warms my heart daily to see his name on every new garment I’ve created.
What are you most proud of?
My two beautiful and hilarious blessings, my babies! I take pride in my six year (and counting) legal battle to remain in their lives after divorce. Walking away from the legal fight to have an active role with your children is what many dads see as the only/best route to take. I am thankful for my mental fortitude, and never give up attitude on my children! I also take the utmost pride in my business and styling my clients, helping them look their absolute best for those special days, or just a regular day. The combination of establishing a business that may also be a family legacy is powerful for me. Vicente Clothiers will naturally lend itself to having my children join me, should they choose, to work the family business for generations to come.
Tell us a little about your family.
I’m the youngest (and tallest) of five children, raised by my extremely strong and driven mother. She is truly my hero.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
Ha, that’s funny! What’s that? Seriously, on my days off, I enjoy working and crossing goals off of my list!
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
Why We Sing by Kirk Franklin.
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
TeamMates Mentoring Program and CenterPointe. I was an original TeamMate in the inaugural class back in 1991. The program put me through college at the University of Nebraska, where I earned a Business degree, and was the impetus to me living my life drug and alcohol free, a decision I made in 8th grade. Today I am mentoring my fourth mentee and he attends Culler Middle School. Regarding CenterPointe, I’ve seen firsthand how substance abuse addiction plays on loved ones, and I’m proud to be working with an organization passionate and dedicated to assisting those needing and wanting to turn their lives around. I am currently serving my 2nd term on the Board of Directors.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
They are welcome to connect with me via the website, www.vicenteclothiers.com.