The Life of Lee

Hey Guys!! First off, how was your spring break? I hope you all enjoyed your time resting and working on your tans. Now, have you had your coffee and newspaper? Unwanted traffic? Loaded with assignments or a major project? Great. Welcome back. I want you to take these next few weeks like a grain of salt. Yes it's Sunday and tomorrow is the day we get back in the shop and set the tone for the week. We've learned how to rid ourselves of the Monday Blues . Today is no worse than tomorrow; better yet, it's as good as yesterday. This week will be a challenge, but you are always up for a challenge. Obstacles are how we polish our character and we want to be dynamic. One obstacle we haven't really acknowledge is the person you see every morning after washing your face. No, not your spouse, it's you. We are our greatest critic, and at times our own demise. Why? Because only you know exactly what you go through. Your daily battles don't always end with triumph....

Hey guys!! Today's blog will be short (kinda) because I want you to read this article an awesome friend sent me. The article is very uplifting and motivated me to try something new. Sometimes it's hard to take someone's word for it when they are the only ones to back it up. Well today you'll get a taste of someone else's life and I hope that it'll secure any doubt you may have. And in addition to that, once a week I will post a message from an outside blogger so that you guys get the chance to hear other voices. This piece was written by Aerial Adams, an undergrad at Howard University. I read it and became inspired immediately. I'm not going to spoil it so, without further ado, click the link: Link Happy Sunday! -Vernell Allen CEO Expand Your Horizon

Hey Guys!! Congratulations! You've made it to the end of the week. We both did, and if your week has been anything like mine then I know this weekend will be everything for you. But we're not done yet. Today is Friday and you'll be grinding until the clock strikes five. Today's motivation will be given by me; however, it will really be created by you. We've been so serious this past week, which is great, but I like to say, "even Einstein took time to laugh." So today's exercise will be fun, hands on, and maybe a little childish. In the end, it will undoubtedly deem just as effective as the actions we've taken thus far. So, remember all that we have discussed: doing instead of doubting; building confidence; trying new things that are uncomfortable; being the best version of yourself; improving patience; discovering purpose. It's a lot, I know. But everything we've discussed (and will discuss in days to come) has brought us to today...

Hey Guys!! How's your morning going? Mine has been pretty relaxed. Well not really. I haven't had my coffee or small breakfast so I don't feel the same energy I usually have, but I can't let that stop me. We've all had to skip meals before, right? As I make my way to the office, I can't help but think about those moments when we skip out on major opportunities. Before I moved back home, I had the chance to work in the film industry, my ultimate dream. The field I love most had opened it's doors ever so slightly, but enough for me to put my hand in the gap and see what it was like to be on set. But I said no. I had to say no. Remember discussing  patience and how it keeps us from getting ahead of ourselves? Sometimes we have to turn down good opportunities for great ones. And I love what I do now. I love blogging and inspiring you guys to chase your dreams. I love creating designs and making  shirts and I want to continue doing this for a long time. ...

Hey Guys!! I apologize for not posting a new blog yesterday, but I'm sure you didn't notice because you were too busy being great. Excellent! It's only Tuesday and already I am piled to my ceiling with assignments and projects. My  business is still developing, so I'm constantly working to perfect products. If you guys are interested in improving your brand, please check out my website here . Okay, enough of that. Even though I'm swamped, I've kept a clear mind. My objective everyday is to improve my craft. We have to do so in order to remain proactive. Remember, we are aiming to be our best selves everyday and every moment! Now, if I'm being completely honest, I am a bit stressed because there is so much that I want to share with you guys. My vision. My designs. My story. The thought wires me, but I have to calm down. There is a quality that all dream chasers must have in order to steer clear of heavy disappointments, unnecessary risks, and spiraling...

Hey Guys!! Okay, okay I know what you're thinking. It's Monday. Melancholy Monday. And you're probably still shaking off the effects of a well spent weekend. But it's go time now and you need to transition from "Weekend You" to "Working You." I'm going to jump the gun and ask you the million dollar question now. And when you read it, please don't laugh, just humor me, okay? Ready?... Why replace your fun side with your formal side? The obvious answer is that the workplace is no place for play, but it is a place that should bring you joy. When I was in middle school, my principle always gave words of wisdom every morning on the intercoms. One piece of advice that he pressed on our developing minds was if we had a career in what we loved, we'd never work a day in our life. As a twelve year old, not working ever in my life in exchange for a happy career sounded like a pretty good bargain. So that's what I've aspired to do. ...

Hey Guys!! It's the first day of the week and unfortunately the last day of the weekend. I hope you guys got plenty of rest and found time to do the things you love. And if you didn't, what better day than today? That's how I feel about most opportunities in my life. Whenever I feel that I can't take on a challenge quite yet, I remind myself that I'll never be ready. Yeah, I prepare and practice over and over, but even curve balls have curve balls. The best way to prepare is to actually do it. And what better time than now? Living in the past is always dangerous. We become stagnant and constantly yank goals accomplished or deficits suffered. While it is important to acknowledge our past, we have to continue to move forward. That's how we change the way we operate, make up for the failures, and progress the great things we do. Sometimes we view the present as stale. It's like loading a video with poor connection. If things don't happen as quick a...

Hey Guys!! Happy Saturday! I know the popular phase is TGIF. But, I work all day during the weekdays so today is my Friday. Thank God. I'm sure you've had a tough week. Plenty of critical circumstances you've had to strategically dissolve. I hope the daily boost of inspiration I give has been beneficial to you and there is more to come. But I know there were moments to implement what we discussed yesterday that didn't happen. That's okay. Remember Rome wasn't build in a day. And also acknowledge that you have to continue to try, even if it's outside of your comfort zone. I know this lesson all too well. I have always been labeled as an introvert. I don't socialize with large groups of people. I have a tight circle of friends, and I'd rather check the progression of my  business than go out to party. The only problem was that I had this idea and I felt so strongly about it that I had to tell someone about it. I had to share my vision through on...

Hey Guys!! Every morning, usually after a nice breakfast, I like to sit back and listen to one of my favorite songs. I'm sure most of you do it for the same reason as I do: to shake off yesterday's messes and have a fresh start for today. I listen to the same song everyday and I get the same exhilaration. I release good energy enter my day with a confidence, and my day is brighter because of it. So today's question isn't that tough. You don't have to dive into the depths of your soul to pull out an eccentric response. In fact, don't think longer than 5 seconds on this, okay? Ready?... What's your favorite song? Got it? great. For those who have too many favorites to decide even better. Whether you have 1 or 15 favorite songs, each one gives us power. The power to feel something that we can't see, but know it's there. This is a big part of building confidence in yourself. Yesterday I told you to stop doubting your ability to control your des...

Hey Guys!! This morning I woke up with a toddler's energy. I felt as if I have just had my fifth cup of coffee and now I'm wired and ready to go. This has become the norm as of recently and I don't know exactly who to accredit. My wonderful readers? Yes, you guys give me a reason to wake up as early as I do. Thank you for all of your support . My small business? It definitely keeps me up at night and takes up most of my time by far. But I love that. I love the idea of not sleeping until 4 o'clock because I'm planning promotion techniques or advertising strategies. I have grown accustom to designing for hours at a time and visualizing perfect shots for a commercial that truly symbolizes what my  brand stands for. The point is: I love what I do and the challenges it brings me. More importantly, I love the direction it's carrying me in. Before this, I wasn't a dedicated "morning person." I would set my alarm before getting a must needed re...

Hey Guys!! I hope you're having a wonderful morning so far. Got your coffee? Sausage, egg & cheese biscuit hold the egg? And let's not forget the endless list of objective to accomplish in a limited amount of time. You are a busy person, we all are. With responsibilities constantly tugging at our youth, sometimes we lose sight of why we do what we do. But I'm going to ask you to do something you don't have time to do. Don't worry, it'll only take a few moments. Ready? O.K. Inhale... Exhale... Drown out all noise and ponder this: Do you want to do this for the rest of your life? Take your time. If your answer is yes, great!! If not then make you should rethink your situation. Now, I know there are plenty of excuses of why you are doing something you don't want to do. You have a family; you didn't finish school or you're still in school; what you really want to do is too impractical; your ultimate dream is a thing of the past. Nice try,...

Hey Guys As promised, here are a few highlights of my Black and White Series designs. You can purchase them on my website by clicking here . Use promo code: WISH40 for the 40% discount. Enjoy!! Don't forget to also check out my Pink Gem shirts!

Hey Guys!! Today has been a busy day. I've been designing shirts, studying for tests, and working on ways to promote my business. I never this would consume a lot of my time, but it is slowly becoming my life, and I'm okay with that. This is bigger than me. Bigger than apparel. We have to instill within our community the assurance that their right to dream isn't vain. If anyone has a goal, they shouldn't have to settle for anything outside of that. And I understand that it's not that easy to combat adversity. It's a challenge, but it's not a permanent barrier. But throughout every conflict arises something special inside each of us that helps us move forward: the idea of a better future that we've carried all our lives. This concept inspired me to create the Black & White Series. The color contrast represents a vintage perspective of our ultimate goal. It's an old dream that looks better with age. This shirt reminds you that everything we pus...

Hey Guys!! The last time I blogged, I was saying farewell to my former university, Howard. If I'm being honest, that wasn't a difficult separation. Leaving Washington, D.C. however has been a tough transition. From the hustle and bustle of city life back to the saturated country side has shown me that I am not meant to live in Mississippi forever. To keep myself busy, I started a business. No, it's not a fortune 500 (yet) but it is something I am proud of. Here is a quick synopsis of what it is and what it means: Expand Your Horizon Hello, my name is Vernell and I want to share my brand with you because this isn't just my dream, it's my duty. I created the design from a picture I took one night. Not with intent to use in any way other that to pose a question: Why do we make a wish and then blow it away? Think about that. Is it due to insecurities? Doubt? Or simply an unbreakable habit formed in childhood? When we were children, our dreams were too big for other...