Sean Webster turned his childhood nickname into a brand composed of a fashion and lifestyle blog, YouTube channel, and, most recently, a collection of sneakers coined The Sug's Sean. Ten years ago, Sug-Sean left his native soil of Anguilla for life in England, a move that he says was driven by the Internet, which exposed him to the digital age he is now fully immersed in. Read more to find out what inspires him, how he teamed up with Italian manufacturer Tacetti, and where he sees himself five years from now.
I grew up on such a small island, and it pushes you to do amazing things. I wouldn't have been this hungry if I wasn't from Anguilla.
Shanice: Define the Sug-Sean brand for us.
Sug-Sean: I want to introduce a luxurious streetwear brand that caters to the urban market. I want to attract people who may be wearing Jordans, tracksuits, and fitted caps and people who are fonder of brands like Dior and Louis Vuitton at the same time.
When it comes to fashion, where do you draw inspiration from?
I'm surrounded by good people who are well-known in the fashion industry, such as Michele Harriman-Smith and George Harriman-Smith, who are my mentors and the founders of Children Salon, the company I work for. I'm a big fan of Pharrell Williams. I'm inspired by anything that's different and provocative.
Sug-Sean: I want to introduce a luxurious streetwear brand that caters to the urban market. I want to attract people who may be wearing Jordans, tracksuits, and fitted caps and people who are fonder of brands like Dior and Louis Vuitton at the same time.
When it comes to fashion, where do you draw inspiration from?
I'm surrounded by good people who are well-known in the fashion industry, such as Michele Harriman-Smith and George Harriman-Smith, who are my mentors and the founders of Children Salon, the company I work for. I'm a big fan of Pharrell Williams. I'm inspired by anything that's different and provocative.
You recently teamed up with Italian shoe manufacturer Tacetti to launch your own line of sneakers dubbed The Sug's Sean. Walk us through the early beginnings of this project up to present day.
I'm a big fan of tech. I'm a bit of a geeky guy, and a lot of people don't know that, and the Internet makes it easier for everyone to connect with other people. Tacetti contacted me because of what I was doing online and asked if I would like to work on this start up. Traditionally, brands work with an agency that is the middleman, but Tacetti cuts out the middleman and connects individuals like myself directly with the factory in Italy. I thought it was a great idea, and I designed my own collection. Today, we are 64 pairs sold and counting with profit from all of them, and we just did a photo shoot for them as well.
You've been vocal about empowering the youth of Anguilla to dream big and break down barriers. How does it feel to hail from a small island and accomplish all that you have so far?
It feels good because when I was growing up there wasn't anyone in Anguilla doing what I was doing. I left Anguilla because of Myspace. Myspace and the Internet opened my eyes to the world. I just want to connect people and show them that if they can think of something, they can create it. Because of the Internet, you can create your own persona. You can be anything that you want to be, but you have to show people first.
Anguilla is a tourism industry, but I want the youth to see that they don't have to limit themselves to that route. We live in a digital age now. Because of the resources today, you can stay in your living room and make double the amount any hotel can pay you.
I'm a big fan of tech. I'm a bit of a geeky guy, and a lot of people don't know that, and the Internet makes it easier for everyone to connect with other people. Tacetti contacted me because of what I was doing online and asked if I would like to work on this start up. Traditionally, brands work with an agency that is the middleman, but Tacetti cuts out the middleman and connects individuals like myself directly with the factory in Italy. I thought it was a great idea, and I designed my own collection. Today, we are 64 pairs sold and counting with profit from all of them, and we just did a photo shoot for them as well.
You've been vocal about empowering the youth of Anguilla to dream big and break down barriers. How does it feel to hail from a small island and accomplish all that you have so far?
It feels good because when I was growing up there wasn't anyone in Anguilla doing what I was doing. I left Anguilla because of Myspace. Myspace and the Internet opened my eyes to the world. I just want to connect people and show them that if they can think of something, they can create it. Because of the Internet, you can create your own persona. You can be anything that you want to be, but you have to show people first.
Anguilla is a tourism industry, but I want the youth to see that they don't have to limit themselves to that route. We live in a digital age now. Because of the resources today, you can stay in your living room and make double the amount any hotel can pay you.
Have you learned any harsh lessons on your personal path to success?
You have to be humble. I learned that a little later on. Don't be cocky. Failing is an essential part of success. All of my failures are probably the best things that have happened to me. You also have to realize that you can't build something for everyone. You have to be able to take criticism whether you like it or not.
Can you share any insight with people who want to bring their ideas to life but may not know exactly where to start?
Put it out into the world. With any industry, as long as you have a following, you're powerful. It's not solely about your talent anymore. It's about who knows you or who knows what you're trying to create. Focus on building your own tribe.
When people hear the name Sug-Sean five years from now, what do you hope comes to mind?
I want people to think of someone that pokes the box. I want to be that guy to inspire people to create whatever they want, especially people from smaller regions because we're the hungriest. I grew up on such a small island, and it pushes you to do amazing things. I wouldn't have been this hungry if I wasn't from Anguilla.
You have to be humble. I learned that a little later on. Don't be cocky. Failing is an essential part of success. All of my failures are probably the best things that have happened to me. You also have to realize that you can't build something for everyone. You have to be able to take criticism whether you like it or not.
Can you share any insight with people who want to bring their ideas to life but may not know exactly where to start?
Put it out into the world. With any industry, as long as you have a following, you're powerful. It's not solely about your talent anymore. It's about who knows you or who knows what you're trying to create. Focus on building your own tribe.
When people hear the name Sug-Sean five years from now, what do you hope comes to mind?
I want people to think of someone that pokes the box. I want to be that guy to inspire people to create whatever they want, especially people from smaller regions because we're the hungriest. I grew up on such a small island, and it pushes you to do amazing things. I wouldn't have been this hungry if I wasn't from Anguilla.
Follow Sug-Sean:
Website: sugsean.com
Facebook: Sug Sean
Twitter: @SugSean
Instagram: @sugsean
YouTube: Sug-Sean Webster
Tumblr: sugsean.tumblr.com
Website: sugsean.com
Facebook: Sug Sean
Twitter: @SugSean
Instagram: @sugsean
YouTube: Sug-Sean Webster
Tumblr: sugsean.tumblr.com
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