Perry High School junior hopes to inspire people through new clothing business –

Brian Cox is a clothing maker on a mission.

The Perry High School junior recently launched a business called BC Motivational Apparel. His clothing selection consists of short- and long-sleeve T-shirts; hoodies; and jogging pants, which are adorned with the logo of the business.

The shirts and hoodies also feature various words, phrases and slogans.

Brian hopes that the inscriptions will resonate with buyers — or potential customers — and help these people achieve their full potential.

“I started BC Motivational Apparel as a way to encourage people to improve themselves every day,” Brian said. “I want them to understand that each day is a blessing and another chance for them to wake up and push themselves to be better.”

Some of BC ‘s shirts and hoodies also are embellished with messages that urge people to persevere in pursuing their goals, even when they receive skeptical reactions from others.

“There will always be people who doubt you, but you can use that as energy to prove them wrong, do something different and grow,” Brian said.

Brian established the business about three months ago as part of the UDesign It class he’s enrolled in this semester at Perry High School.

Students in UDesign are required to come up with a type of question they want to answer or problem they want to solve through a project spanning the entire semester.

Basically, students get to design the class they are taking, said their teacher, Rachele Mielke.

In the classroom, Brian has a workstation outfitted with a computer and a Cricut automated cutting machine. He uses these devices to create and then cut the heat-transfer vinyl designs that end up on BC Motivational Apparel.

Once the cutting is completed, Brian takes designs to the school Media Center and uses a heat press to transfer them onto clothing to create a finished product.

Brian promotes BC Motivational Apparel through an Instagram account; Facebook; by handing out order forms to classmates; and placing more of those sheets in the Perry High School Media Center.

He also succeeded in getting the apparel displayed and available for sale at the Snap Fitness gym located at 6581 North Ridge Road in Madison Township.

Recently, his clothing line released a new variety of designs that appear on its clothing, in a sales campaign that Brian has titled the “BC Revenge Tour.”

“It’s to prove to everyone that’s doubted you (they’re) wrong and make them a believer, and to keep your head high and be a leader,” he said.

Designs that are available on the backs of hoodies and shirts during the “BC Revenge Tour” are:

• The phrase “Never Satisfied” printed in large letters.

• “Someone’s waiting for you to fail. Don’t give them the SATISFACTION.”

• A large  “X” containing the words Revenge Tour on one line of the letter and OUTCAST on the other.

Brian said that making money isn’t his primary goal in operating BC Motivational Apparel.

“It’s truly about my love for helping other people and getting them through their day,” he said. “I don’t care if I help 100 or one. Even if I help one person, that makes my day. That means I did something beneficial.”

Along with running his new business, Brian is a member of the school football and track teams. After graduation, he wants to attend college at a place where he can play football and major in exercise science or business.

His career goals are to own a gym and become a famous motivational speaker. Brian said it’s also possible he’ll continue making and selling his apparel as he goes through college and adulthood.

Mielke said she’s impressed with the motivation, work ethic and drive Brian has displayed.

“He’s definitely working on the business outside of the class, as well,” Mielke said. “He’s putting himself out into the community, trying to make connections. I think he can keep (the business) going and going and continue to build it bigger and bigger, for sure.”

Brian said that as he looks back over the past three months, the success of his clothing line has exceeded his original expectations.

“In the beginning, I was hoping to sell just one thing — get a picture with one kid that had (BC Motivational Apparel) on,” he said. “Now, it’s people that I don’t know, never talked to, they say they like the message. I thought that was the coolest thing. Sometimes it gets overwhelming, but I’ll accept that, because it’s a blessing to be able to do this.”