“Passion is giving great effort to advance a cause.”
– Simon Sinek
Inspired By Dandyism
December 16, 2025
I marveled at the impeccable detail, bright bold colors and range of silhouettes that served not just a function or fashion but as a means to survive a world that worked so hard to reject them at all costs. That oppression bred cultural influence in so many ways and I found myself verklempt by emotion understanding how my affinity for style was innate and not just driven by my mother’s sense of style. It occurred to me that I had overlooked the breadth of my influences, largely due to my disinterest to know more about my family. I fought back tears throughout my tour, beaming all-the-while.
After my experience, I made a commitment to no longer shrink knack for flare and uniqueness. I recalled all the many times people commented on how I dressed, stopping shy of saying it were all too much. I looked back at a period where I limited myself to shorts, sweatpants and tank tops to nestle myself among the gay community I was steeped in, desperate to be seen as one of them. Following the show, I decided it were time to bring back the spark that moved me to Los Angeles in the first place, not to stand out per se, but to embrace what I suddenly understood was part of my DNA.
In May of this year, my partner and I decided to enjoy the Superfine exhibit at The Met in New York as we both are deeply passionate and curious about the origins and inspiration of fashion. While The Met Gala drove much of my curiosity about the exhibit, once I discovered the emphasis of the show, I was intrigued to learn the deep roots of historical context and how it perhaps influenced my own personal style.
I wasn’t quite ready to take in what the show had to offer. The rich storytelling, centering style was packed with personal journeys, innovation, while illuminating Black history lost over the generations. From the enslaved young boy in Louisiana wearing a Brooks Brothers livery coat branded with the emblem of the man who owned him and 350 others; to the cross-dressing of William and Ellen Craft who escaped enslavement dressing Ellen as a passing white, upper-class “gentleman”; to the Harlem Renaissance laced with zoot suits and big brimmed hats.
Superfine: Tailoring Black Style at The Met
The very next month, I was off to Europe pulling garments off racks and stuffing bags as much as my wallet could take. My inner child was lit up like a Christmas tree. Seizing the opportunity to capture my partner’s shared love of eclectic apparel, I decided we should take photos of our looks while on our trip together as often our outfits were inadvertently in conversation. It was an opportunity for us to bond in a way I haven’t experienced before and I was elated by his support of my new found love for fashion. I’ve found my most authentic sense of my fashion-self and I’m forever changed by what I’ve learned about my inner connectedness to dandyism.
Inspired by dandyism
Passion Project: Red Carpet Styling for the Daytime Emmy Awards 2025
November 1, 2025
As far back as I can remember, I’ve been a person who appreciates unique styling and fashionable looks. The day I realized I had my own sense of style was back when my mother still chose my outfits for school, I was six years old. She dressed me in a navy-blue sweater, matched with a pair of royal blue sneakers and I had a meltdown.
In a typical kindergartener rant, I screamed at my mother saying, “I don’t want to wear this sweater, mommy!”
Taken aback by my visceral reaction and frustrated by the choice of timing to share my feelings she responded, “We don’t have time for this! What’s wrong with the sweater? You’ve worn it before!”
Through my teeth and the tears, I said, “It doesn’t match my shoes!”
She looked at me and laughed before saying, “Oh boy, shut up and put this damn sweater on! You look fine.” I got my detailed obsession from her after all. “Child, you are going to be one of those men who are always into how they look and crazy about what they go on.” Again, a trait I’ve acquired from her.
Fast forward to now and I still have that obsession. These days, my affinity for exact matches have been replaced with textures, accessories, color pops and layering. Having moved to Los Angeles from Seattle over 20 years ago, my ambition was to become a wardrobe stylist to the stars. Although my path has taken me in a slightly different direction, I still get to dress people. They just sit in a window and never disagree with what I put on them. Frequently, my friends will ask for me to go shopping with them to find looks for special events. My most recent and exceptional opportunity was for my good friend and documentary filmmaker, Michiel Thomas, who was nominated for a 2025 Daytime Emmy® Award for his work on Ballin’ Out.
To watch this 5-part doc series, presented by Outsports, click here. Find more projects by Michiel Thomas on his website Michiel Thomas | Emmy® Winning Documentary Filmmaker
When I got the word he was nominated, I didn’t hesitate to call him. The first thing that came out of my mouth was, “Congratulations!” The second thing, you guessed it, “Do you know what you’re wearing?” Michiel had often sought my opinion for various events and I didn’t think this time should be any different.
We went straight to work. Below you’ll see the process we took to decide what was best for him. My intention was to express his personal style, add a sense of glamour and flare, while pushing the envelope for him just a little to make the experience (and the look) more memorable for him. In the swipe concept, I pull inspiration from past red carpet looks, color themes that would highlight Michiel’s features and my own styling flare to pull his look together. And I’m not going to say it was because of his winning looks, but he did end up taking home a statue for Outstanding Short Program.
A Brand’s Purpose is Critical for Community Impact and Revenue Growth
November 9, 2024
As a seasoned Brand Marketing professional, here's the unvarnished truth:
People, not products, are the heroes. Sure, companies are in the business of selling products, but brands elevate consumers, transforming them into the heroes of their own stories. Brands are merely the guides, aiding these heroes on their journeys.
Brand purpose is not just a nice-to-have; it’s mission-critical. If you don’t have a crystal-clear understanding of who you are as a brand, you'll falter in connecting with your consumers. Instead of engaging them in meaningful conversations, you'll end up just talking at them.
Forge powerful brand alliances. Partnering with brands that resonate with your core values can amplify the emotional connections with consumers, cementing their loyalty to your brand.
As the Senior Director of Brand Marketing at Barco Uniforms, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with International Medical Relief at this year's ANCC Magnet Conference in New Orleans. We engaged with 14,000 nurses to spotlight the profound impact of participating in medical mission trips globally. Our mission as a medical scrub company was to provide these nurses with vital information and resources, thereby channeling more volunteers to IMR. We also emphasized the urgent need to increase volunteer numbers to expand access to healthcare and education in underserved communities worldwide.
Providing this access reignites the nurses' passion for their profession. By tapping into their fundamental purpose of helping others, this experience boosts workplace morale, fosters camaraderie among industry peers, and creates lifelong, memorable experiences—experiences that will always be associated with Barco Uniforms and International Medical Relief.
On a personal note, it fills me with immense satisfaction to play even a small part in these impactful moments, contributing to making the world just a little bit better. For those who aren’t totally convinced about the community impact and how that can elevate your brand with consumers, here are some statistics that could help:
Revenue Growth: According to research by Bain & Company and Verlinvest, purpose-led brands experience 10 times higher revenue growth than traditional brands.
Market Share: Deloitte Insights reports that purpose-driven companies witness higher market share gains and grow three times faster on average than their competitors.
Consumer Willingness to Pay: A survey by Bain & Company and Verlinvest found that 70% of consumers are willing to pay a premium of 10-25% for sustainability and purpose-driven products.
Employee and Customer Satisfaction: Deloitte Insights highlights that purpose-driven companies achieve higher workforce and customer satisfaction levels.
ESG Mission: Bain & Company and Verlinvest also found that 35% of new consumer product startups today have a clear Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) mission, a significant increase from 2005.
Sources:
The Purpose of Branding
October 5, 2024
Purposeful Branding: Driven by Passion
In the dynamic world of retail, especially within the medical scrub industry, the concept of purposeful branding stands as a beacon of success. With seven years of experience transforming over 100 stores and achieving an impressive average year-over-year growth of 20%, I’ve come to realize that the essence of purposeful branding is deeply rooted in passion.
The Heartbeat of Purposeful Branding
Purposeful branding goes beyond logos, slogans, and marketing campaigns. It’s about creating a brand that resonates with both the heart and mind of your audience. For me, this journey began with a simple yet profound realization: passion is the driving force behind every successful brand.
Passion Fuels Authenticity
In the medical scrub industry, authenticity is paramount. First responders and healthcare professionals rely on our products daily, and their trust is non-negotiable. My passion for this industry has always been about more than just selling scrubs; it’s about understanding the needs of those who wear them. This passion translates into authenticity, ensuring that every product we offer meets the highest standards of quality and comfort.
Passion Inspires Innovation
Innovation is the lifeblood of any thriving business. Over the years, my passion for the medical scrub industry has driven me to constantly seek new ways to improve our products and services. Whether it’s introducing new fabric technologies or enhancing the shopping experience in our stores, this relentless pursuit of innovation is fueled by a genuine love for what I do.
Passion Builds Relationships
One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey has been the relationships I’ve built with small businesses and first responders. My passion for serving this community has influenced the way we provide service to our vendors. It’s about more than just transactions; it’s about building lasting partnerships based on trust, respect, and mutual growth.
Passion Drives Growth
The remarkable 20% year-over-year growth we’ve achieved is a testament to the power of passion. When you’re passionate about what you do, it shows in every aspect of your business. From the way you interact with customers to the quality of your products, passion is the invisible thread that weaves success into the fabric of your brand.
Conclusion
Purposeful branding, driven by passion, is not just a strategy; it’s a way of life. It’s about infusing every action, decision, and interaction with a genuine love for what you do. In the medical scrub industry, this passion has been the cornerstone of our success, transforming stores, building relationships, and driving growth. As we continue to evolve and innovate, one thing remains constant: our unwavering passion for purposeful branding.