The Wright State Bookstore is partnering with JustModernTees (JMT), a student-run clothing brand with a passion for making high-quality products using environmentally-friendly materials.
“[JMT] started through a competition at Wright Sate called the Wright Venture competition. Any student can apply to be a part of the competition. All you have to do is have an idea and come up with a business plan that takes the idea you have and make it come to life. Whoever has the best business plan will win $5,000 to help jumpstart their company or business,” said Tyler Willis, co-owner of JMT.
JMT was started by Willis and his two closest friends during their freshman year in the fall of 2016. After coming in second place in the Wright Venture competition, it goes without saying that JMT has come a long way.
“A big accomplishment for me is to be able to say that I had an idea that I was passionate about and was able to follow through on that idea. Today, that idea is a successful and profitable one. [I’m proud to have the company],” said Willis.
One of the many great things about JMT is all the collaborations that are done through different groups at Wright State.
“We work with different clubs and organizations on campus. We have our clothing brand, which we just got into the bookstore, but another thing that we do is we also create different designs and t-shirts for the organizations on campus and in the Dayton area as well. We made the t-shirts for the LGBT walk that is held every year in downtown Dayton. We have also worked with organizations like UAB [ University Activities Board] and RCA [Residential Community Association],” Willis said.
It can sometimes be difficult to truly go for your dreams and not be discouraged at the bumps in road.
“Never be discouraged. No matter how many people tell you no, if you just keep working at it and keep striving, you can achieve your goals. It can happen,” said Willis.
Every profession can have a long and winding road to get to the finish line; the end is always worth the struggle.
“Clothing is a very saturated market. It’s hard to [separate ourselves] from all the other [clothing brands]. We were able to do that by focusing on what we search for in clothing. We try to use a lot of organic materials like bamboo, organic cotton and hemp in the products,” said Willis.
Some things that set this company apart from the rest are its care for the environment, the materials that go into the clothing, the sustainability, the quality and the comfort.
“We try to focus on the actual product and have something that we can say we are proud to create, stand behind and promote to Wright State students and the community,” Willis said.
JustModernTees (JMT) is a clever twist on the names of the three founders of the brand: Josiah, Matt and Tyler.
“The bigger picture is that it's just a modern tee. It’s a simplistic name [for] products that are high quality. Moving past the clothing of the past into the modern era of sustainable and organic clothing,” Willis said. “It’s profitable to be sustainable and care about the environment, the larger community and the Earth; that is what JMT stands for.”
JMT is also coming out with a Valentine's Day collection and apparel for April Craze. “We have a lot planned for the rest of the spring and summer; stay up to date,” said Willis.
Apart from clothing, JMT also offers other items such as shoes, mugs and popular watches.
“We have a really talented team. I’m fortunate to have the people we have on our team; the fact that we are all Wright State students is a plus,” Willis added.
Make sure to keep up with JustModernTees on their website and social media to see everything they have in store!
