ONE OF a kind. Creative. Budding entrepreneur. Humanitarian. Clothing brand designer. Inspirational motivator — and only 17 years old? Logan Roberts will graduate from high school in December and begin his spring semester at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. As he plans his future, a million dreams keep him awake — and he is eager to grow a thriving business that creates a better community for everyone.
“I want to graduate early because I feel more than ready to get to college, and I don’t want to take up any more time in high school,” said Roberts. “Because I am pursuing a major in business marketing and a minor in entrepreneurship, I am incredibly excited to connect with more like-minded people who are working on similar projects.”
Three years ago, Roberts, his parents, and two younger sisters left behind the spice and soul of French-Cajun cuisine and the vibrant rhythms of life in Metairie, Louisiana — a suburb of New Orleans. They moved to Tullahoma to help care for aging relatives in nearby Monteagle.
Because Roberts has been homeschooled since kindergarten, he’s had opportunities to dive into passions such as playing guitar, creating a YouTube channel where he frequently shares inspirational content, running a small business, and designing custom pieces for his clothing line, which he named G.I.L. — an acronym for God is love.
When it comes to being homeschooled, Roberts said, “The benefits are the flexible schedules, the opportunities for learning hands-on, and being involved in things you enjoy. I would say my personal strength is working relentlessly and giving it my 110%.”
Last year, he began working at Threads TN, a local print shop specializing in custom printed items for sports, church groups, and businesses, to further fuel his passion for clothing design. Since he enjoys every aspect of entrepreneurship, including marketing, he soon began making videos about the printing process and sharing them on social media. Though he absorbed every detail of the process, that wasn’t enough. Even when he was off the clock, his mind swirled with ideas, with color combinations, and with his own brand of artwork. When he approached co-owners Drew, AJ, and Nikki Cochrane — plus Macy and Jared Olive — about his ideas, they were all pleased.
Drew said, “Logan is a fantastic young man. He is helpful, respectful, and hardworking. Logan does jobs that others have complained about and never loses a smile. He is an asset to our organization, to be sure. Logan is also incredibly creative. I have enjoyed working with him to bring his designs to life. He has been a great student and is always ready to learn more. The sky’s the limit for Logan. His work ethic and creativity are sure to drive him to do great things.”
Roberts considers his brand to be “streetwear” or “city wear.” This style draws inspiration from hip-hop, skateboarding, or scenes depicting metropolitan life. Many of his designs come from music culture, and though these appeal to teenagers, he also dreams up designs for customers of all ages. These designs have been so popular that he donates 20% of his profits to charities such as Feeding America, the Arbor Day Foundation, and LOOP NOLA, which creates outdoor opportunities for inner-city children in New Orleans.
“These nonprofits are important to me because I believe we’re called to give back,” said Roberts. “Community is such a necessity. Taking care of our communities in our own town and all across the world is what everybody should do for one another. So, I believe if I’m able to be blessed with any resources, the most important thing to do with them is to serve and build up other people.”
Roberts’ ultimate dream is to start his own clothing company, allowing him to donate larger profits to organizations that build better, stronger communities.
He said, “If I were able to start my own nonprofit, I’d be all about serving our community and inner cities. Then I could help provide spaces for children to be educated about future careers, and I could provide places for children and families to be fed and clothed. I could create a safe place for families who feel in danger or uncomfortable in the regular spaces of our cities.”
Ten years from now, Roberts hopes to be providing for a family of his own and serving alongside them as together they make communities a better place for everyone. He doesn’t want to just donate a portion of his profits; he wants to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty.
When it comes to sharing the secrets to his success so far, Roberts said, “Be passionate about whatever it is you do. And trust God. It can sound cliche if you’re not careful, but you never want to put your head down and chase goals of something that makes you miserable. Chase the goals of something that you’re genuinely passionate about, and pursue it through God. He will provide your steps through the difficulties.” GN
Looking for daily inspiration? Check out his website: www.GILStreetwear.com
