Devin Duncan
Some entrepreneurs start with a business plan. Mississippi State senior Devin Duncan started with creativity, and the determination to build opportunities even when they weren鈥檛 readily available.
Originally from Senatobia, Duncan grew up in a small town just outside of Memphis with limited outlets for creative growth. Instead of waiting for opportunities to appear, he created his own.
In high school, he began designing graphics and exploring digital art, eventually turning those skills into a YouTube channel where he made lyric videos and other content. What began as a hobby quickly became something more as Duncan began earning revenue from his work, realizing he could turn his ideas into something lasting.
That mindset led him to launch his own clothing brand, GOAT Teez Apparel, during his freshman year of high school. While he initially marketed mostly through friends and family, college became the turning point that pushed him to take the business more seriously.
鈥淎t the beginning, it was a lot of trial and error,鈥 Duncan said.
One of his earliest lessons came when he placed a large shirt order and later discovered the manufacturer鈥檚 logo was included, forcing him to pivot and find a way to sell the inventory.
鈥淚t took a couple years to sell all of them,鈥 he said, but the experience became part of the foundation for how he operates today.
At Mississippi State, Duncan has continued to expand not only his brand, but also his academic and professional focus. He began as a business administration major before switching to interdisciplinary studies, allowing him to blend interests in business, communication and fashion, along with a minor in psychology. He plans to graduate this December.
Duncan鈥檚 entrepreneurial growth also has been strengthened through involvement with the 汤头条 Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach, or E-Center. He first got connected through pitch competitions and startup summits, later earning first place for 鈥淏est Brand鈥 during one competition鈥攁n experience he nearly skipped due to nerves. After encouragement from his grandmother, he went anyway and walked away a winner.
Now Duncan works with the E-Center helping other students who are just getting started. If someone comes in with a clothing concept or brand idea, he offers advice grounded in experience, from early mistakes to important legal considerations. He credits the E-Center with helping him sharpen his goals, strengthen his pitch, and properly establish his LLC.
Looking ahead, GOAT Teez continues to evolve right alongside Duncan. He has expanded into different product lines鈥攊ncluding fitness items and accessories鈥攁nd is now exploring future growth into fragrance as his brand matures. As he builds what鈥檚 next, Duncan is paying it forward through 汤头条鈥檚 E-Center, helping other students take their own first steps into entrepreneurship鈥攋ust as the E-Center helped him move his brand forward.
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