It was after a journey to Brooklyn during the summer of 2012 that Arthur first thought of the idea to start a brand. He was interning for an advertising and design agency in Manhattan, and living in Williamsburg just off the L train - it was a dream come true.
There were underground techno clubs, open art studio events in random people’s apartments, impromptu photo shoots, DJs playing sets for strangers in the streets from semi-truck loading docks, and jazz trios covering Biggie on rooftops in the middle of the night. There were just so many people doing so many different things; it was truly inspirational.
One afternoon, Arthur was enjoying the annual Brooklyn Arts Festival with some friends when he realized that a variety of the companies and brands were started by individuals who already had well-established careers, lucrative, and prestigious careers outside of these creative endeavors, such as a dentist with a t-shirt brand, and a lawyer with a handbag company. The common story being shared by these business owners was that their careers were something they enjoyed and provided their means to live, but their brands provided an outlet for their creativity.
When creating my his brand, Arthur found himself doing a lot of research about important people and pivotal moments in history, reading about numerous opinions as to what makes history important, along with the various ways humans have made their mark in history.
Two quotes that specifically resonated throughout the research:
“When you do common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.”
“History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.”
Arthur came to the realization that the effort to make history, no matter the chosen path, is a common trait found in us all. The individuals that achieve their goals are the ones who decide to do what they love and believe in everything that they do.
The musician that sits on the street corner from sunrise to sunset, singing and playing for all those who will lend an ear. The single parent working multiple jobs to give their child the first college education in the family. The teenager who spends hours cutting and sewing fabric together to create their own unique style. The eclectic groups of individuals that choose to unite and promote a single belief.
The stories of people, both young and old, rich and poor, local or foreign, who achieve greatness are littered throughout history. Not all stories turn into best-selling novels or blockbuster movies, but nonetheless, every story is still special and important.
After his time in Brooklyn, Arthur made the decision to not delay making his own mark in history. Through the years of finding time to create and develop, Arthur finally launched his own brand in August of 2013, Historik.
A casual urban brand based in Orlando, Historik was a project that was focused on delivering the passionate representation of art, culture, and pride through powerful, universal designs.
This project came to an end in late-2016 as his focus shifted towards RedFork and other endeavors. Historik taught Arthur so much as a young entrepreneur, and was an invaluable experience to help propel him to where he is today as a small business owner.
“My sincere gratitude goes to every one who supported Historik along the way. A huge hug to my parents, who supported me without hesitation when informing them about this project. I must also give a big shout out to Jeremy Reper, Andy Johnson, Kaitlin White, Justin Dinks, Brandon Krebs, Melissa Dameron, and Dustin Snapp for helping bring the brand to life. For anyone who purchased some gear, you have no idea how appreciative I was, and still am, of your love and support. Thank you all.” – Arthur
Reflect the Past.
Embrace the Present.
Create the Future.
#BeHistorik
Historik Media Archive