High-End Hustler w/ Nazir Hampton

BY CHARLES JONES

Entrepreneurship has been on the rise in our generation for the past couple of years. Whether it be offering a service or selling a product, new start-up businesses have been popping up everywhere. Our parents have always told us that you have to go to school to get a good 9 to 5 job that will pay your bills so that you can live comfortably. That was their idea of success. It’s so crazy that over the years the definition of what it means to be successful has changed. Today we can probably all agree that success is being able to have complete ownership of what you do and to be able to consistently execute despite the many tribulations that you may face along the way.

The self-employed lifestyle has become a more attractive alternative to the 9 to 5 corporate life. With the cost of education rising and people waking up to the realities of being trapped in student loan debt, this gave rise to the current entrepreneur trend. It isn’t easy to start your own company and run your business from the ground up. If you don’t have the necessary startup capital in the beginning, it could be even harder for you to launch your own business. But sometimes you just need to hold on to a dream and vision to get to where you’re going. In the case of Nazir Hampton’s story, his drive, ambition and early planning is what helped him to do just that.

In following the legacy of his grandfather, Nazir knew one day he would own his own company. His grandfather owned a clothing store named Blackmen’s Boutique as well other businesses in Trenton throughout the 1970s. His popularity and success in the community were stitched into Nazir’s DNA so it was destined for him to do the same. What originally started as a t-shirt line called HIxND (pronounced High End) quickly expanded into a boutique of luxury fashion merchandise.

Nazir always had an entrepreneurial hustle, going after a business degree at Rutgers University. When he couldn’t attend school anymore because of the rising costs and lack of financial aid, he started saving his money working a fulltime job. After expressing to his grandfather the urge to leave his job, the opportunity to open his own store presented itself. It can be scary thinking about the “what if’s” but he took the risk, and opened up his first store in Trenton with only a few stacks and a dream. Nazir knew what had to be done and executed it all on his own. Many days and hours were spent as he prepared his very first opening. When the store was launched, it was a success and shortly after he launched his business online.

Although he made it all look flawless, Nazir endured struggles many face trying to run a business. After a public shooting in Trenton, the community and store took a hit. As a reult, business slowed and Nazir made an executive decision to close down his store to save profits. This decision helped him avoid rock bottom and allowed him to save enough capital to open a new location in Atlanta and months later a new Trention store with rennovations.

Consistency, focus and having a plan are the main ingredients for executing any dream to ensure its success in reality.

High End continues to thrive online, in Atlanta and Trenton with the brand looking to eventually expand to other cities in the future. Entrepreneurship isn’t easy but it’s worth every minute if you’re doing what you love to do. Stay focused in your lane and don’t compare your value to that of others. People will pay for your product or service if they believe in you. In the words of Nazir, “If you are presented an opportunity, take the chance because you never know if it’ll go good or go bad. Support small businesses if you have the option to because you are supporting someone else’s dream.”

If ever in New Jersey or Atlanta you must stop by and check out The House of High End.

Instagram: @thehouseofhighend