D.L.C.B. Why Be Clean, When You Can Be Dirty?

Let's Talk Dirty 

Hey there readers! What a week it's been huh? Let's do a little re-cap shall we? Okay so, Lance Armstrong admits to doping after YEARS of denying it! Lame! The High Court in Pretoria - South Africa, ruled on January 15th that it's no longer illegal for kids between the ages of 12-16 to engage in sexual activity (as if the illegality of it all stopped them before, pffft... Seriously). I guess South Africa will have it's own version of "16 & pregnant" now huh? Oh & Chelsea Football Club Squandered a two-goal lead against Southampton at the Bridge to draw 2-2. (Ok that last one wasn't dirty, I just wanted to make fun of them haha).

But that's not the kind of dirty I'm talking about, let me explain.

Near the end of last year (the year the world was supposed to end apparently), I met this young entrepreneur/fashion designer by the name of Ofentse Sello. This guy was charismatic, down to earth, and interacted with his customers really well. So me being me, I wanted to find out more about this lad & why people were so intrigued by him and his brand. Thus when I started this blog, I really wanted his story to be the 1st story I told to the world, so I sat down with Mr. Dirty Lolli Clothing Brand himself & this is how the interview went. Check it out:

 

 

Me: "So I'm here with Mr. Ofentse Sello, founder of D.L.C.B, but before we get into that, why don't you tell the readers a little something about yourself? Tell us who you are, where you came from & what just drove you to this?"

Ofentse: "Well I come from Orchards (A suburb in Pretoria SA for those who don't know), been there since 97', so since I was 6. Life for me growing up... Hehe, it was tough hey. I didn't have many friends so... Yeah, I was always indoors haha"

Me: "You say you didn't have many friends but before the interview started, your phone was buzzing, you're sort of popular, so how's the transition from not having many friends to being an owner of a Brand been for you"

Ofentse: "Haha, yeah yeah. Truth be told, I still don't have many friends. I'm still like that & I've BEEN like that. Thing with me is I only charge people"

Me: "Charge people? What's that mean?"

Ofentse: "Like... Because I'm energetic, I'll give you energy, positive energy, & you transfer it back, & if you don't give me energy then ah, I don't want to be with you haha"

Me: "Hahaha, aight aight. Tell us a little bit about Dirty Lolli & how did it start, why did you start it & why give it the name 'Dirty Lolli'?"

Ofentse: "How did I start? Well... I started printing my own T-shirts in varsity. Just for me you know? Then people started complimenting them saying things like "Dude I'd totally wear this" & I was first like "Oh really?" & they were just like "Totally man, we'd wear this". So I was like, ok... And I started printing 6 t-shirts, which sold out in like a week. So I doubled the amount to 12 t-shirts & they sold out in like less than 2 weeks, & in my head I was like "wow, this could really work, this could be something". So I registered the name & went from selling 12 t-shirts to like 24, so I multiplied them. From there, things just blew up."
 

 

  

Me: "Nice... So the transition from starting at varsity to now where you have your own stall in Wonderpark Mall (A Mall in PTA North for those who don't know), explain that for us. Explain what it took, what it is you had to go through & was there ever a time you felt like just quitting & being like 'man f*** this s***' or was it perseverance no matter what?"


Ofentse: "Eh.. That's a good question haha. But noooo, I believed in it & I still believe in it but uhm... What did it take? Eish... I'd say... Patience & uhhh, dedication. Because I love what I do so that's it. I mean its how I got here."

Me: "Respect... But you still haven't told us why you named it 'Dirty Lolli Clothing Brand'. What does the name 'Dirty Lolli' even mean? I'm sure when people see you they see a clean cut guy, so why add the word 'Dirty' to your brand? I mean the designs are crazy cool don't get me wrong, but we need to know what 'Dirty Lolli' means."

Ofentse: "Haha, true. Well... The name 'Dirty Lolli'... Think about it this way, what do kids like? Lollipops, ice-lollis & what happens to the ice-lolli when it slips & falls down? It becomes Dirty. So it's basically taking the clean cut, as you said, & mixing it with the bad, the edge so to speak. That's why we use bright colors, to remind you of when you were young, & we use the crazy designs to remind you of how you've changed. Hence, bright colors & tattoos. Basically taking the old school, the old guys, & modernizing it."

  

Me: "So what separates you from the guys who claim to have swag? Because for me, I'd say your style is similar but at the same time different"


Ofentse: "Well Yeah... But with me, I'd say I try to cater for the new. The new age so to speak... Let's say people between the ages of 15 to... Maybe 35. I don't just focus on a certain market for eg; varsity goers. No... I diversify. So I'd like to believe that I cater for everybody."

Me: "So have you had people older than let's say 25yrs of age come through & buy your brand? Or is it mainly younger people?"

Ofentse: "Of course of course, since I've opened my stall here I've BEEN getting older people"

Me: "But What was your initial target market?"

Ofentse: "Uhm... Varsity goers’ haha... No don't look at me like that haha. No it's because I started as one. So it only makes sense that I'd target my peers"

Me: "Haha, okay cool. So now you're 22 years old right? So the majority of your buyers must still be varsity goers right?"

Ofentse: "Haha, you'd think but nah not really. Mostly they're high school goers. But I'd say my customers grow with the brand. I've had matrics who are now in varsity but still come here & buy my clothes so yeah... They grow with the brand."

 

Me: "Hmmm alright. Talk to us a little bit about your funders, or do you do everything by yourself? For eg; all the money. where'd it come from to start this business venture of yours, because most who try to do what you're doing right now often get discouraged due to lack of funds, so talk to us about that"

Ofentse: "Well yeah... For me it started when I was selling those 6 t-shirts. They were fairly cheap. So after selling them, I could double the amount of the initial price. Then something happened (For personal reasons & respect to Ofentse I won't be disclosing what happened) & I went broke. But I was cool with it; I mean it's just money. Luckily the brand was still alive. I mean although I went from having funds from the tees to being broke I was lucky enough to still have the brand. The brand is something that's built inside of me. So yeah... After varsity I got a job as a web developer. I worked for a year; got my savings back up then I left my job. Took my savings, went to China and started the label again. So yeah... That's how I did it. From there my funds just grew"


Me: "Again I say, Respect"


Ofentse: "Haha, yeah man thank you it wasn't easy"


Me: "I Bet... Ok tell us... What would you say separates you from let us say... Brands that are already well established beyond their years. Your Gucci, Armani, CK. I mean why should people come buy your product as oppose to buying brands that have already gotten such HUGE international recognition. What makes D.L.C.B So different?"


Ofentse: "Well the way I see it is, a t-shirt is a t-shirt. Anyone can make a t-shirt. Only difference is the designs. Our designs are Unique. You can't compare them to anything else! That I can promise you. And though I do get inspired by other brands, I still maintain my uniqueness by trying not to copy them at all. I focus on my printing, the quality of the material, & the types of printing. I like combining prints. Other brands just print & sell because they have a big name, for me... The printing is something that makes you as a customer feel good, not just look good."

 

Me: "So where does your inspiration come from? What inspired this tank top that I'm wearing right now, the Steve Urkle tank-top, & other shirts like the Michael Jackson T-shirt. Why did you choose those designs?"

  

Ofentse: "Well before I opened up the stall, I used to watch a lot of TV. I could be watching TV and just like that I'd get inspired. I get inspiration from almost everywhere; TV, radio, maybe even the internet & maybe even other brands (I just want to stress that inspiration & copying aren't the same thing) like Quicksilver, Billabong etc and of course clothes from Mr. Price... Yeah."

Me: "Ok so when you started this stall here, what made you believe that your brand, with its designs, would be any different from the brands & designs that inspired your creations. Also tell us why you chose to start up here in PTA North as oppose to going straight to rich areas like the Menlyn area or even Sandton?

Ofentse: "Yeah it was tough to have such belief but like I said what sets me apart, is the designs. People want something fresh. They didn't have something fresh & so yeah, I brought along something fresh. And uhm... I chose to be here. That's all I can say about the location. Maybe later I'll move to those areas but for now I want to be here."

Me: "Tell us.. What does the future holds for Dirty Lolli"

Ofentse: "Uhmmm... More stalls. I don't think I want to open up a store just yet. I don't have that... That Knowledge, to run a shop. So maybe I'll franchise the stand/stall and distribute it in other stores or malls. That's what I can do"

  

   

Me: "Ok... But a Lot of people that are young entrepreneurs, they'd probably give the same answer as you did, but now... Say big money spenders (Investors) come in and they're like 'Mr Sello, we really like what you're doing with the brand & we'd like to take it & modify it & make you really rich!' Are you telling me you're still going to be like 'no, I enjoy having a stand & being a small business owner, I don't want to have a shop yet.' or is it possible that you'd fold under pressure?"

Ofentse: "Haha, well truth be told the initial plan was to open a shop. But after talking & some serious deliberation I was advised like "Nah, do not get a shop. You don't know how to run a shop, you don't really have people & this is still something fresh and new." BUT... IF big money comes in as you said, I guess... Yeah I would try it. I mean it's just money like I said, It's really just money. I'm motivated by my desire so big money means nothing without my desire."

Me: "Alright alright... Let's go back to you for a minute. I'm sure my readers want to hear this. You as Ofentse Sello... What do people say about you? I mean when people see you at first glance, I'm sure the older generations are like 'Look at that bandit with all those tattoos. He's probably a bad influence etc etc' but then the younger generation like my generation, our generation in fact, & I'm sure the girls, are like 'Ow ow! Check that cool guy with them tattoos & his swag poppin'& having his own business'. What is the truth, what do people say about the real Ofentse Sello?"  

Ofentse: "Well come on... Everyone gets judged, but you cannot judge me just by looking at my outer layers. For what I have inside, does not really say who I am outside. I mean, people see the tats & all & yeah they do judge, but the tats are something that means a lot to me. They have a deeper meaning, they're not just tats. So what do people say...? *Shrugs* Truth is I don't know what they say or what they think & I don't really care. It's ok, they can say say I'm a 'Bandit' or whatever, it's ok, I really don't mind.

 

Me: "Nice bra, really nice. Now this final question I'm about to ask is a little personal but it's for the readers. Particularly the female readers... What or who holds Ofentse Sello's heart right now? Is there a lady in your life or are you still one of the young, fresh and up-and-coming eligible bachelors out there?"

Ofentse: "Hahahaha, Yeah yeah... Uhhh... Yeah there is a Lady out there.

 

She's been there with me & for me. She supported me really. Without her I wouldn't even have opened this thing. She lent me money... Most importantly, she's part of my story. Without her I wouldn't be here. So yeah... There is a lady & I'm not leaving any time soon!"

 

Me: "Wow.. True love.. That's a wifey kind of girl... Welll, Thank you so much for letting me come here, talk to you & just allowing me to tell your story. I really hope it's the kind of story that motivates people to just be bold & follow their dreams no matter what."

Ofentse: "No problem... This was fun. I can't wait to read the article"


After the interview, Ofentse & I just chilled & spoke some more, the guy is quite legit & I wish him nothing but happiness in his venture. Best believe I'll be doing a follow up soon, just to see the rise of Dirty Lolli.

 

So there you have it readers. As I promised, a young, fresh & up-and-coming entrepreneur with quite a story to tell. Now I don't know about you but I'm feeling quite inspired, and it's these kinds of stories that should really get us going, get us reading, get us watching, get us INSPIRED! Make us realize that there's no dream too big. If your hearts' filled with faith then you can't fail. 
I hope it was a good read for y'all, & makes you want to get up and go get it no matter what obstacles are in your way! 

I can't wait to see how Dirty Lolli grows from here.
 

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this piece, I know it was quite long. I'm still trying to get young, fresh & up-and-coming artists and socialites so please be patient with me :D.

For more on Dirty Lolli Clothing Brand visit their website on www.dirtylolli.com or you could check them out & like their facebook page on www.facebook.com/dirtylolli or follow them on twitter at www.twitter.com/dirtylolli. Or visit other stores in South Africa, Pretoria in which they supply merchandise to, at the Corner of Church Street & Du Toit or go to Wonderpark Mall, Phoenix Jewelers where you can get Dirty Lolli Watches.

That's all for this week's entry but be sure to Join me next week when I tell you all about the 2 guys who put Jesus Over Everything.
 

Until then, be safe & take care of yourselves.
 
Have a great week everyone!

PEACE!!