CityStudApparel Founder: Turning Pain Into a Fashion Brand That Inspires Thousands

Summary

Living Your Legacy

Episode: CityStudApparel Founder: Turning Pain Into a Fashion Brand That Inspires Thousands

Host: Rudy Mawer
Guest: Carolyn Daniels, Founder of CityStudApparel
Date: March 31, 2026

---

Episode Overview

In this episode of Living Your Legacy, host Rudy Mawer sits down with Carolyn Daniels, the founder of CityStudApparel. Carolyn shares her entrepreneurial journey—from channeling personal pain into her creative vision, to building a unique fashion brand that centers on individuality, resilience, and inspiration. The conversation delves deep into the origins of CityStudApparel, Carolyn’s challenges and victories, lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, and her personal mission to uplift others through fashion.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Meaning Behind the Brand (00:00–03:09)

• Not Just a T-Shirt: Rudy opens by emphasizing that selling a T-shirt is about building a brand and identity, not about the garment itself.
• Carolyn's Perspective:
  • “When people didn't understand what I was charging for my brand, they didn't know what I was about...this is a brand, dude. I had to make people understand.” (00:05, Carolyn Daniels)
  • Carolyn insists on the importance of believing in yourself so that others will believe in your vision, too.
• Brand Values:
  • CityStudApparel is built on “individuality, success, self-expression, and community” (00:22, Narrator).
  • Carolyn's mission is to help people "feel their best and look their best.” (01:40, Host)

Design Inspiration & The Power of Storytelling (02:00–03:45)

• Unique Creations:
  • Carolyn designs with an eye for differentiation: “I bring out different designs...looking at people, taking different ideas, and creating my own...putting it out there for everybody to look different.” (02:00, Carolyn)
• Durability & Quality:
  • Focus on quality: “I sell high quality, durable products...Wear and tear wash and tear for many, many years. Nothing coming off, no peeling...” (02:18, Carolyn)
  • Most popular item: T-shirts that appeal to gym-goers and everyday wearers alike.
• Turning Pain Into Purpose:
  • Carolyn explains that her clothing is motivational, often born from “things that I went through...I take it and turn it into that purpose and put it onto a shirt.” (02:55, Carolyn)
  • “When you have things that you went through on you, it'll remind you...You went through it and you're wearing it.” (03:12, Carolyn)

The Entrepreneurial Journey: Challenges, Lessons & Growth (04:48–07:29)

• From Passion to Business:
  • Carolyn started from a lifelong love of fashion: “I just knew I had to keep going...It was drive behind my brand...I want everybody to understand and know my name and see my brand and just gravitate to it because it's real great.” (04:48, Carolyn)
• Self-Education & Hustle:
  • “I learned to do a little DIY things myself and do my own research...Honestly, with my LLCs, I learned everything by myself. Trademark, brand, I have everything. Market, patent. It wasn't hard, but I did it.” (05:34, Carolyn)
• Mistakes & Setbacks:
  • Early days included “buying wrong merchandise” and trial and error with making shirts at home: “It was melting...I had to keep rebuying things.”
  • Struggled with pricing perception: “They wanted me to charge cheaper. And I’m like, this is a brand, dude...This is something that's actually a brand.” (06:16–07:07, Carolyn)
• Belief As The Foundation:
  • “I have to [believe in myself] in order to believe in my brand, in order for people to believe in my vision.” (06:52, Carolyn)

Defining the Customer & Brand Growth (08:00–09:56)

• Audience:
  • Main buyers are “between the ages of 18 and 25” (08:08, Carolyn), mostly due to the urban and diverse appeal of the brand.
• Vision for Growth:
  • Plans to introduce more designs, quotes, and messages—“positive things to say on the shirt” (08:32, Carolyn).
  • Seeks partnerships and sponsorships to expand: “If someone can believe in me...I know I can bring it much more farther in the next five years.” (09:32, Carolyn)

Personal Motivation & Legacy (08:53–09:13, 13:13–13:51)

• Deeply Personal Motivation:
  • “My mom, she passed away and I gave her this message that I was going to keep going with my clothing...my mom is my motivation. My brother, that he's passed away...everything, I’m doing it for them. Mad love for both.” (08:53, Carolyn)
• Facing Struggles:
  • Carolyn wants listeners to know that “it’s a struggle. I went through it and I pulled through it…you can pull through all your struggles and your pain. Just keep going.” (13:13, Carolyn)
  • “When you see this, you, they'll understand that I'm worth it.” (13:51, Carolyn)

Entrepreneurial Advice (10:16–12:35)

• Getting Started:
  • “Start from somewhere. Don't be scared, because if you scare, you're not going to start it...Just print, it's not only perfect the first time, but just start it. Don't never be scared you're going to lose money. It's obstacles. Invest in yourself.” (10:16, Carolyn)
  • Key advice: “Your dream is your dream and dream big and keep going...Don't wait on nobody else to even, like, have the expectations of your dreams.” (10:16, Carolyn)
• The Reality of Entrepreneurship:
  • “Entrepreneurship is educated gambler lose money.” (12:08, Host)
  • “I tell you, I was scared to lose a lot of money...I was being so cheap, and I was like, it's not getting nowhere.” (12:12, Carolyn)
  • The lesson: Investing in quality and learning to take calculated risks is a core part of growth.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carolyn on Branding:
  • “This is a brand, dude. I had to make people understand. It's just not something that I'm just selling out the back of a trunk.” (06:31)
• On Starting a Brand:
  • “Just get out there and do it yourself at the end of the day because no one's going to do it for you. Your dream is your dream.” (00:41, Carolyn)
• Turning Pain to Purpose:
  • “I take it and put it, turn it paint into that purpose and put it onto a shirt. And everybody can relate to what I go through...” (02:55, Carolyn)
• Honest Reflection on Mistakes:
  • “I end up buying wrong merchandise...It was melting. I had to keep rebuying things.” (06:22, Carolyn)
• On Personal Loss and Motivation:
  • “My mom is my motivation. My brother, that he's passed away. So everything, I'm doing it for them.” (08:53, Carolyn)
• Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs:
  • “Don’t wait on nobody else to even, like, have the expectations of your dreams, because that is set for you.” (10:16, Carolyn)
  • “Just buy the T shirt, buy the print press, be okay with some of it going wrong.” (11:01, Host)
• Summary on Struggle and Perseverance:
  • “When someone look at me, they look at it as is everything’s easy. It’s not easy. I want everybody to understand that it’s a struggle. I went through it and I pulled through it...” (13:13, Carolyn)

---

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–00:22 — Setting the tone: T-shirt as a brand, not just a product
• 02:00–02:18 — Carolyn details what makes her designs unique and durable
• 02:55–03:09 — Discussing the motivational and personal elements behind her clothing
• 05:34–06:09 — Carolyn talks self-learning, DIY approach, and business foundations
• 06:16–06:52 — Mistakes and pricing challenges
• 08:53–09:13 — Personal family losses fueling Carolyn’s motivation
• 10:16–10:57 — Key entrepreneurial advice for getting started
• 12:08–12:18 — Honest thoughts on fear of losing money and initial struggles
• 13:13–13:51 — On struggle, resilience, and worth

---

How to Connect and Learn More

• Website: www.citystudapparel.us
• Instagram: @clopablo

---

Closing Note

This episode is a candid and motivating look at how a fashion brand can be built on lived experience, pain, persistence, and personal expression. Carolyn’s journey is not just about clothing—it’s about courage, belief, and leaving a lasting legacy. Aspiring entrepreneurs and supporters of authentic brands will leave inspired to invest in themselves and embrace the ups and downs of building something meaningful.

Transcript

[Host]

You sell a T shirt and I think most people don't understand the T shirt is not a T shirt, it's a brand.

[Carolyn Daniels]

When people didn't understand what I was charging for my brand, they didn't know what I was about. They wanted me to charge cheaper. And I'm like, this is a brand, dude. I had to make people understand. It's just not something that I'm just selling out of the back of a trunk. And this is why I believe in myself, because I have to in order to believe in my brand, in order for people to believe in my vision.

[Narrator]

Carolyn Daniels is a creative, hands on entrepreneur and the founder of City Stud Apparel, a brand built on individuality, success, self expression and community. Through her work, she creates opportunities, mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and inspires others to navigate their own paths with curiosity, resilience and a commitment to growth.

[Carolyn Daniels]

When people thought I was going to stop, I didn't. I keep going. I'm three years into my brand. So invest in yourself, believe in yourself. Get out there and do it yourself at the end of the day because no one's going to do it for you. Your dream is your dream.

[Host]

So any tips? Someone's listening. They're inspired to start their own clothing line or product line. What are a few tips you'd give them before they start?

[Carolyn Daniels]

What I would say, you guys,

[Intro Voice]

It

[Host]

spans the globe like a super high

[Intro Voice]

cold Internet Elvis Presley. Today Apple is going to reinvent the phone. It's not over until I win. The Living youg Legacy podcast for those who live to leave a legacy that's extraordinary. The impossible has been oh sensational. Jordan open Chicago with the lead. You said Paul is the fastest man on the planet. You can live your dream.

[Host]

Hello and welcome back to another episode. Sat with me today is Carolyn and she helps people look extraordinary. She's a CEO, brand owner, entrepreneur, just like all of us and on a mission to help people feel their best and look their best. So welcome to the show.

[Carolyn Daniels]

Thank you. Had me.

[Host]

So let's talk about it. You, you help people look extraordinary. Tell us what that means and what the brand does.

[Carolyn Daniels]

It's just different designs that I bring out, different things I create just looking at people, taking different ideas and creating my own and making my own and putting it out there for everybody to look different in colors and yes, it's popping. Love it.

[Host]

And if people don't know who you are or the brand, can you just describe what you sell and what your products are?

[Carolyn Daniels]

Yes, I sell high quality, durable products that everybody can wear. Wear and tear wash and tear for many, many years. It's very dur. Nothing coming off, no peeling, no paint in is you can wear anytime you want to.

[Host]

And what are some of the most popular products that you sell?

[Carolyn Daniels]

The most popular products that I sell right now is currently T shirts. It has continuously improvement there are to sell on a T shirt for a lot of gym people, everyday wear for people. So definitely city coming to yourself. Yeah. Great.

[Host]

And would you describe, you know, the product line is, you know, how would you describe it? Is it motivational? Is it, you know, how would you explain the sort of products and the story behind it?

[Carolyn Daniels]

I would definitely say it's motivational because some of the things that's motivational is things that I went through and I take it and put it, turn it paint into that purpose and put it onto a shirt. And everybody can relate to what I go through or what they have go through. I know everybody have the same situation. So definitely put it out there like that.

[Host]

Right. So. So let's elaborate on that. Tell us the story behind it.

[Carolyn Daniels]

So the story behind it. I always like fashion. I always love fashion. And what I wear, I want to wear with. With, with, you know, I want to wear it with my sleeve because it's good when you have things that you went through on you. It'll remind you to take you back to your passionate. You came through it, you. You went through it and you're wearing it.

[Host]

Yeah, I always, you know, not quite that, but like I always a lot of my swag for our business and offices and what I wear is like my favorite quote or keyword that reminds me of something, you know, that's on the same.

[Carolyn Daniels]

Yeah, yeah, most definitely.

[Host]

So. So you had these, you know, periods of your life or a lesson or whatever it was how what made you, you know, want to take that and then create a product line out of it. And how did you do that? What's the story?

[Carolyn Daniels]

Just loving. Just loving clothes, loving the passion. I wore people things many times. Not even people just like different clothing brand. And I love when I can, I can take my creation and put it somewhere and, and make it. Make it what it is right now. Right now. You see my shirt right here is like. So it's turning things into a creation and everybody see it and then it. Everybody involved in it. So definitely.

[Host]

And part of it, you know. So, you know, I'm friends and partners with Damon John who founded fubu. And a lot of the reason he started that was just kind of that passion, you know, and it Kind of reminds me of yourself in that, you know, you have that passion and. But there's a purpose behind it, which obviously FUBU had as well. Right. So how do you see this expanding and the purpose and the mission driven part of the brand?

[Carolyn Daniels]

Honestly, when I first started, I didn't know where I was really going at with it. I just didn't know. I just knew I had to keep going. It's something that I love as a kid. Growing up as a, you know, young adult, adolescent, I knew I had to just keep going. It was drive behind my brand. It was drive behind my purpose. It's still a drive behind everything I do it when I stand for. And I want everybody to understand and know my name and see my brand and just gravitate to it because it's real great.

[Host]

I love that. And what are some of the, you know, tips you've learned along the way? You know, I always like to feature here. We're all entrepreneurs, we have ideas. Right? But business and starting a product and launching products aren't easy. So what are some of your kind of entrepreneurial journey? What? Tell us your entrepreneurial journey and some things you've learned.

[Carolyn Daniels]

I learned to do a little DIY things myself and do my own research and just learn for myself. You know, it could be people that gatekeep. And this is why I go out there, explore, put hands on and put my eyes in front of and get two steps forward and put my best foot forward. That's everything I'm doing right now within my clothing brand and just sitting back, still learning. And you know, Honestly, with my LLCs, I learned everything by myself. Trademark, brand, I have everything. Market, patent. It wasn't hard, but I did it. And I'm, I'm great where I'm at right now with everything, you know, you.

[Host]

You've learned all these things, you're doing these cool things. But has it always been easy? Have you had any mistakes or problems along the way?

[Carolyn Daniels]

Oh, definitely. Yeah, I had a lot of mistakes. I had a lot. That was.

[Host]

It was a trick question because I

[Carolyn Daniels]

know, okay, well, yeah, I had a lot of mist. I end up buying wrong merchandise. I didn't know anything. It's like buying a product itself and trying to put things on a T shirt. And I was actually in my house pressing things up and I'm like, oh, my God. It was, it was melting. It was like I had to keep rebuying things. So that mistake and just I went through challenges with when people didn't understand what I was charging for my brand. They didn't know what I was about. They wanted me to charge cheaper. And I'm like, this is a brand, dude. I had to make people understand. It's just not something that I'm just selling out the back of a trunk. This is something that actually a brand is like, like everything else, a brand. Nike, fubu, Polo, it's a brand. And this is why I believe in myself, because I have to in order to believe in my brand, in order for people to believe in my vision.

[Host]

Yeah, it's interesting. You know, you sell a T shirt, and I think most people don't understand a T shirt is not a T shirt. It's a brand. Right. Can you just kind of talk about that a little more? And what makes it so unique is, you know, when people see it as, hey, it's just something to cover my, my upper body. Right. But it's really not, you know, that's why some T shirts can be $2,000. Right. And some can be $2.

[Carolyn Daniels]

All right. I'm gonna honestly say, I think because people that know me, maybe they don't want to support that. They scared. They just scared to try it. But I feel like when they see it, when they see it on me, they love it or they get compliments. But are you buying into the product that you like? They're going to buy into what they like. So my biggest challenge is why not buy into what you like with me? Is it because I'm here? Is it because. I don't know. I don't know why some stereotyping things right now, and it's a new brand. Why would you want to do something different, you know, and who is.

[Host]

Who is the sort of, you know, your avatar or your customer? Who is the sort of person buying your products and why are they buying it?

[Carolyn Daniels]

Right now, I believe in between the ages of 18 and 25, buy it because they like fashion. Like what they see, you know, they more hip and my brand is more urban wear and, you know, diverse brand type thing is urban wear. So mostly 18 to 25 is the most popular. Popular that I sell to right now.

[Host]

Great. And how do you see the brand expanding over time? Like, growing. What are you going to add in? What are some new products or ideas you have for the brand?

[Carolyn Daniels]

Yeah, I'm going to. Right now, I'm going to have different designs. I'm going to bring out. I'm going to sit down and draw it out on paper, think about all the stuff. Like, I'm going to start coming with More quotes, more things, positive, you know, things to say on the shirt so people can gravitate to the shirt.

[Host]

Okay, great. And is there any key moments in your life that set you up for this brand and this entrepreneurial journey?

[Carolyn Daniels]

My key brand, my mom, she passed away and I gave her this message that I was going to keep going with my clothing and I wasn't going to stop. And when people thought I was going to stop, I didn't. I keep going. I'm three years into my brand, so my mom is my motivation. My brother, that he's passed away. So everything, I'm doing it for them. Mad love for both.

[Host]

That's really great. And, and where, where do you see this going over 5, 10, 15, 20 years. You know, if you look into the big picture and the vision behind it and you know, I mean, all as entrepreneurs, we have these goals and dreams, right. And how we can see it way before anyone else. So can you talk a bit about the vision for the brand?

[Carolyn Daniels]

I'm seeing a vision for partnership, investment ships and sponsorships. That way it can help me because right now I'm doing it by myself. And I, if someone can believe in me and put their best foot forward and trust in my brand, and I know I can bring it much more farther in the next five years. Definitely I can come with the, I can come with the brand, I can come designs, I can come with the words. I just need the sponsorship definitely to take me elsewhere, but I'm looking forward to that.

[Host]

Love it. And last couple of questions. You know, you've been through the hard, you know, the grind, initial grind phase, the launch phase. You know, you talk about, you know, printing the T shirts yourself and all that. So any tips? Someone's listening. They're inspired to start their own clothing line or product line. What are, what are a few tips you'd give them before they start?

[Carolyn Daniels]

What I would say, you guys start from somewhere. Don't be scared, because if you scare, you're not going to start it. Like, you can just go somewhere and get a T shirt and just play around with it. Just print is not only perfect the first time, but just start it. Don't never be scared you're going to lose money. It's obstacles. Invest in yourself. Believe in yourself. Get out there and do it yourself at the end of the day because no one's going to do it for you. Your dream is your dream and dream big and keep going, keep going because that's your dream. Nobody else have it. And don't wait on Nobody else to even, like, have the expectations of your dreams, because that is set for you. Go out there and do it. Go out there and buy a T shirt. Go out there, buy a heat press machine. That's an investment. Go out there and do it. So definitely start somewhere.

[Host]

Yeah, I love that. I love that. And a lot of great things you said there. I think one thing I picked up on that you said is I think it holds a lot of people back. It's like the analysts by paralysis. They have this idea, but they don't start ever. They just keep thinking about it and all the things that could go wrong. And one thing I loved is you just like, buy the T shirt, buy the print press, be okay with some of it going wrong. Right? And that's. Yeah, I have. I don't have a T shirt brand, but every entrepreneur is the same. You know, I. From our studios, we buy a camera or a piece of audio that doesn't work like we think, and now it's wasted, right? When I had a fitness business, I bought supplements and some of them didn't sell and sat there and we had to throw them away, right? And it's, you know, constant, constant journey as an entrepreneur to buy stuff and test it. And, you know, it's. A lot of us come from no money. So it's sad when we see you waste money, but you have to eventually learn it's part of the game. You know, you gotta try some things. You have some big wins, you'll have a lot that fails and you blow the money and it's destroyed. And I think that's. But just getting started is such an important step.

[Carolyn Daniels]

It's like a gamble. I feel like it's a gamble.

[Host]

Entrepreneurship is educated gambler lose money.

[Carolyn Daniels]

And I tell you, I was scared to lose a lot of money. And I was being cheap with myself at first. I was being so cheap, and I was like, it's not getting nowhere.

[Host]

Well, you do learn eventually. It's like you get what you pay for in entrepreneurship when you hire a web developer or you pay an attorney, or you pay for a T shirt. Right. Or a print press. It's like there's definitely, you know, a level when you start, you have to be cheap because you have no money.

[Carolyn Daniels]

Right?

[Host]

But at the same time, you have to know when, hey, when do I pay $10,000 for the camera versus 1,000. Right. Or the print press? So that's great. Great too. So just as we wrap, you know, I always like to ask at the end if people want to support you, learn more about you, follow you, and obviously check out the amazing stuff you're doing. Where do they find you and how can they do that?

[Carolyn Daniels]

You can find me on my [e-mail]. also my handler for Instagram. C L O P A B L O.

[Host]

Love it. And last question. You know, what else are they gonna learn from your episode and what else you're gonna talk about?

[Carolyn Daniels]

They're gonna learn a lot from my childhood. They're gonna learn where I've been through, because when someone look at me, they look at it as is. Everything's easy. It's not easy. I want everybody to understand that it's a struggle. I went through it and I pulled through it, and right now it's amazing. And I want everybody to understand that you can pull through all your struggles and your pain. Just keep going, keep going. And with everything that's coming out, I want everybody to see me for me. You know, you can see the bad and goodness on one, but in a day, until they tell a story, you'll understand the good, you know the good in it and separate what the bad thing was. Because I'm not all bad and I'm not all good. But when you see this, you, they'll understand that I'm worth it.

[Host]

Good. Love it. Well, there you go, guys. That's a wrap. Check out the brand follow on social media and support. And as always, keep working hard, have an impact and build a legacy. I'll see you guys soon. Take care.