Brickbat: High-quality, up-cycled denim apparel

Brock is a Doman S23 member who has always felt drawn to entrepreneurship. Having grown up in Michigan as the son of a small business owner, Brock knew from an early age that he valued the freedom and creativity that a small business provides. After competing in the Welcoming Spaces Challenge and participating in the Foundry through the David Eccles School of Business, Brock decided to officially launch his project with Doman. Brock has long had a passion for vintage and secondhand clothing. While reselling vintage pieces on Ebay, he noticed how much material was going unused if items were not high-quality, designer or heavily sought-after. His project will provide upcycled and repurposed denim items to people who are seeking basics and staple items that have intention and character. “The stuff I value the most isn’t always of the most value, it’s about self-expression, and I want to bring that idea to others.” Brock achieved his long term goal of learning how to sew during his time in the Foundry, continuing the legacy of his great-grandmother, a skilled seamstress. As the sole family member interested in sewing since, Brock was gifted her thread, which he continues to use to create his own unique pieces. Currently, Brock is in the prototyping phase; he has found that being open and vocalizing his passions has allowed him to prototype better and receive validating feedback. He values the accountability that Doman holds him to and the collaborative environment it provides him with to mentor and be mentored by his peers. Brock believes that everyone should consider starting a project, because getting to the point where your work feels meaningful and authentic to yourself will make you want to fully jump in. In addition to his project, Brock is passionate about skiing, music, art, and the outdoors.

More than a cohort // 4.3.23

For Brock, Doman offers the opportunity to share goals with individuals from diverse backgrounds and have his peers hold him accountable for his project. Brock finds that members of the cohort become emotionally invested in each others projects and this social contract provides motivation to work on one’s project. Each week Brock wants to report positive news to his peers, but even more rewarding for him is to show the physical garments he has been working on.

If it interests you, try it. // 3.31.23

Brock’s natural curiosity along with the support and encouragement from his family to try new things pushed him to get his hands on various mediums and hobbies. Through these experiences, Brock developed a generalist mentality that fueled him to teach himself how to sew rather than be deterred by the unknown and possibility of failure.

Throw your work out there. // 1.15.23

The introvert in Brock has often made him hesitant to share his work and interests broadly with the others, but his project has taught him to own his work and share it freely with the world. With the help of social media, Brock has been able post images of completed garments for the public to see. This has expanded his reach beyond those few that actually see the garments in person or are close enough with him to hear the details. Even those that personally know Brock, haven’t always known he has a passion for sewing and social media has offered the opportunity to comfortably share this aspect of his life.