Crusade Entrepreneurs #7: Brian Paupaw
Deka a.k.a Brian Paupaw
What’s your 9-5?
Freelance graphic design for various companies in the fashion industry and my company Se7en Nations.
What’s your 5-9?
None.
When did you start?
I started Se7en Nations about a year and a half ago.
How did you get your start?
Believe it or not, I started painting faces on trucker hats while everyone was doing graffiti on them. It was different from everyone else and because of that; my product was featured in complex magazine. From that point on, I started to get orders from different stores. After I opened up a few accounts with boutiques, I saved up some money and paid for a booth in the “Project” trade show. It was expensive but to this day I’m reaping the benefits of it!
Why choose this particular career/industry?
I choose this industry because it was a natural progression for me. Back in ’88, I used to airbrush on denim jackets and jeans for people in my neighborhood. From that, I started to make t-shirts and get on the A train and go to 125th to sell them in the streets with my friends. After I got tired of doing everything by hand, I learned how to print T-shirts by building my own one color press and set up shop in a garage in queens. So from way back, I was always into putting images on garments and trying to sell them.
Is/was education important in achieving your goals?
My education was very important to my success. It was different when I didn’t have a degree. It was like I had to take a lot of crap from people and work three times harder than someone with a degree. I won’t lie, getting my degree helped boost the confidence I already started building when I was hustling my shirts back in the day. My education has allowed me to study with people from around the world. It also opened up my eyes to the invisible barriers that people build within the community. Before that, I actually thought that I couldn’t attend a school that’s catered towards people with money. The amazing thing I experienced in College was that I was extremely focused and performed way better than students who came from wealthy backgrounds and went to specialized art schools before college. From that point, I knew I was going to make it happen.
What are some of your weaknesses and strengths?
My weakness is thinking too much. It’s very hard for me to stay focused because I constantly day dream about new ideas and concepts and I need to do better about writing down these crazy ideas!
My strengths are being a finisher. I will see an idea from beginning to end and hurdle over any obstacle to see it complete.
What qualities are needed to survive in your career? In your industry?
The qualities needed to survive in this industry have to be an extreme love for what you do with a serious understanding of the business of fashion. Also you have to keep your eyes open and learn from other people’s fortunes and failures in the industry because any one can make a hot design but the test is: Can you make money with it?
What makes you unique?
I think what makes me unique is that I came from the streets of Brooklyn and was fortunate to enough to go to a great school. I have earned and learned from both sides of the fence. I know the feeling of hunger and seeing those people get the best of life, and I know the feeling of being able to reach higher and see my dreams come true.
What advice do you have for those interested in your career? In your industry?
I would stay focused. Find your voice before the machine takes hold of you. Make your voice heard and stand up for what you believe in, you’ll be surprised who’s out there listening. Study the game before you leap in. Get a job with a fashion company and learn while they pay you. The contacts you make in the full time gig can be a great help in the future to your up start business.
Words to live by? Motto?
People are born, but legends are made!
Message Deka a.k.a Brian Paupaw and WIN and tell them what you think
By WIN on 7/19/2005
[read on] 
[19 comments]
The 2-Way
19 comments
Crusade galleries
posted by: BC2 on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
Awesome and magnificent. Only way from her is up Deka.. *applause*
posted by: tarheelnny on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
I simply love your words and your spirit…such a beautiful spirit! The support you’ve shown me so far is priceless. I just wanna be like you when I grow up!
Keep keepin’ on… and get your what up?…PAPER UP!!!! hee hee
posted by: PrinceMarcel on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
Deka, to be honest with you homie. I look up to you. Cause you came from the bottom and your still on your way to the top. You are HipHop and I dig that about you and from what I know about you you’re a humble person. Keep doing what your doing big homie. I aint got nothing but respect for you. Keep grinding.
posted by: ultra on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
I knew from the minute we met, we’d be doing big things together and I so look forward to working on big things together soon! Much congrats on your continued success Deks, my boy!
posted by: deka on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
thanks everyone! yo prince man, I represent hip hop daily, culture, music, lifestyle. there’s no way you can live in NYC for 30 years and not be affected by it. it’s ill because when I get create, I listen to hip hop and the energy comes out in my work.
posted by: Greg Soundz on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
Yo Dek!!
We still gotta link up man. I saw you on the street a few weeks back. I was getting my grub on and couldn’t get to you.
I’m proud of your success, keep it up!
posted by: Gregoire on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
Deka, Glad to hear you are still doing great and the designs are getting even crazier! Good work. Don’t forget to visit us again in South London.
posted by: Joy Tribble on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
Droppin’ gems on’em!!! Best of luck Deka!!! Paper up indeed!
posted by: DJ Kaleem on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
Yo Deka, where’s my BAPES with the “Goonies” Logo on there?
posted by: DJ Kaleem on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
Yo Deka, where’s my BAPES with the “Goonies” Logo on there?
posted by: DJ Kaleem on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
Yo Deka, where’s my BAPES with the “Goonies” Logo on there?
posted by: eboogie3 on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
Keep up the good vibes, your another inspiration to me, you crusaders continue to encourage and help me to sustain my belief that “It can happen if you are diligent and put all of yourself into your passion” thanks again for the awesome example that you are! I’m almost crying typing this, you just don’t know how encouraging it is to hear stories like yours and tarheel it just makes it that more real to me!
peace
posted by: NIKA on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
WOW, much love Deka….keep doing big things!
posted by: shadesnyc on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
FANTABULOUS this man will continue to do big things. humble as well. May the blessing continue to flow.
Paper UP!!!
posted by: T.K.Rich on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
You are an inspiration.
posted by: Xoshil Lemons on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
I’m glad to see that you are doing well. You probably don’t remember me, but I remember you when first started college. At that time you you were determined to make it to the top of the game.And I’m proud to see you’ve made it there, and I hope that the Lord continues to bless you with success.
Peace And Blessings.
posted by: Tanuja Paupaw on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
Brian Call me. Thanks
posted by: shan on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
It’s been very inforative gazing through your website.and also inspiring I,m very happy that i met you the other day we need to meet up and collabarate. all respect E. shan illustrator/fashion artist/ comicbook artist.thanksssss.
posted by: Tim Rosales on 07/19/2005 at 9:16 am
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