We had the good fortune of connecting with Brice Everhart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brice, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind me starting my own business was wanting to help my mom because she was ill for some years and it resulted in her having to close her business. I saw and felt the impact of how devasting it was for her and the household. She was trying to do everything she could while fighting for her health. I had seen her work hard for years as an entrepreneur and also, witnessed my sister being a young entrepreneur. Instead of me just watching and not doing anything, I knew I could do something to help, so I asked my mom could I start a business. She initially told me she was not in a place to help me like she had helped my sister. I told her “I do not need your help, call your business friends.” She then asked what kind of business I wanted and I told her, “I will do something for men since my sister does not do anything for men and every time we go to an event, men are asking to buy something and she did not have anything.” I knew I could kill two birds in one stone- help my mom financially and provide men with custom men’s accessories. I told my mom “I will focus on the wealth and I want you to focus on your health!”

What should our readers know about your business?

In August 2015, I launched Vallaire’s For Men at the age of eight, it was my platform to help my mother who was ill at the time, and address the limitations found in quality men’s accessories. Truly inspired by my sister- Brooke Vallaire, a fashion designer of Vallaire’s, and my mother- Shareca Vallaire, the owner and director of Success 4 Kidz Child Development Center, I knew I too wanted to become an entrepreneur. Over the years, I have been told that I am wise beyond my years’ and known as the young man with the signature briefcase that creates some of the most exquisite hand-crafted luxury lapel pins, pocket squares, and bow ties. Now that I am 13 years old, and my mom has regained her health, my brand focuses on “Helping Men Dress to Impress for the Right Success!” My clients have always been business professionals, both men and women; however, I want to also inspire other young men like myself and teach them the importance of a first impression. The greatest compliment I continue to receive for years has been how well I dress, and the initial impression it makes on others, because I understand that my first impression is a lasting impression.
As a gifted speaker, businessman, leader, and philanthropist, I have been requested to attend many networking events allowing me to build very impactful relationships with some of the most influential people in the business and fashion industry. These relationships grew into mentorships, further assisting with my desire to help other youth build their legacies, coordinate youth empowerment campaigns, and start businesses. I have taken these relationships and my driving desire to help other youth build their legacies by co-creating and becoming the Chief Executive Agent and President of the Young Empowerment Society (YES). Young Empowerment Society (a Parents In Power, Inc. program) is a student-led & driven education and empowerment platform for students 12-18 years of age with a mission to build an alliance of community and youth leaders uniting to create cultural agents of change while connecting school to the real-world through leadership, partnerships (mentorship), and youth entrepreneurship. Our vision is to globally empower youth to lead, impact, and change their lives, families, schools, and communities. Visit Parents In Power at www.parentsinpower.org.
We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about.

Vallaire’s For Men provides quality handmade custom products that are uniquely designed for each customer by the hands of a young man who is inspired to address the limitations found in quality men’s accessories. My products first were created from remnants my sister used in creating her custom designs. I then started upcycling with materials such as old denim jeans, shower curtains, and paper products. I am most proud of starting a business at eight years old, and experienced how it opened doors for me to meet some of my idols such as Bishop T.D. Jakes, Houston’s Mayor- Sylvester Turner, NBA Hall of Fame- Tracy McGrady, Chef Rey Reynold of the Houston Rockets, Actor- Fonzworth Bentley, Chef Jeff Henderson of Food Network’s reality series, “The Chef Jeff Project” and so many business and community leaders around the nation. I am thrilled about the number of relationships I have built over the last five years and the impact they have made on me and my business.

How did you get to where you are today business-wise?

I could not have gotten to where I am in business today without my family and community. Again, I have been blessed to meet some the most amazing and talented business and community leaders who were willing to take me under their wings and partner with me in learning (aka mentorship). I have learned a wealth of knowledge and wisdom from them, and in return, I have taught them that young people like myself are bright, innovative, and capable of running a business.

Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

No, it has not been easy, but very well worth every learning experience. I overcome all challenges through perseverance and keeping my eyes focus on my end goals. I have big dreams and aspirations for my life, and my business is just one vehicle that will help me to achieve my ultimate of becoming a business mogul and Dr. Brice M. Everhart by the age of 25.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

I have learned that remaining true to my WHY is my reason for starting/owning a business and it comes with great sacrifice and a significant amount of dedication is needed not only for your business, but to yourself as well. Other lessons are that relationships are essential in having a business, networking is key to expansion, and a team is critical for implementation and protecting your brand.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I want the world to believe in young children because we too have a vision, and it is never too early for us to start! I am my brand, Brice M. Everhart, a child who saw a problem and became the solution not only for my mom, but men, children, the community, and founded Vallaire’s For Men! Children have voices and they must be heard! I want to help other young men “Dress to Impress for the Right Success” so that they can also have the same opportunities I have in life as a young man.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

SUN- My best friend has arrived on Southwest Airlines at noon and happy to be in Houston. She will be intrigued with visiting Hermann Park and running up and down the beautiful hills getting some exercise with me. We would then stop to Phil and Derek’s and experience their great cuisine. Off to Battlefield Houston for some fun and games. MOD Pizza would be our last stop.
MON- First Watch for breakfast, Schlitterbahn for an all-day fun day. Dinner in Galveston at Bubba Gump. Packed my Sienna Sauce becomes it comes everywhere I go, a must-have with my food!
TUE- Will go to The Breakfast Club for breakfast of course, then off to Cosmic Air Trampoline Park for some lunch and all-day bouncing. Later, we will go to Hibachi Grill.
WED- Chill day- eat breakfast at First Watch, go to the spa at the Houstonian for an all-day spa treatment. Lunch is served at the Juicy Crab for some delightful seafood. After lunch, we will head to the Nap Bar for a nice relaxing nap. Then off to BJ’s for dinner. Oh yea, eating is one of my favorites!
THUR- Start off getting breakfast at Smoothie King, then off to The Galleria Mall for some all-day shopping, making sure to stop by The Pop-Up Shop. Lunch in the food court and ice skating in the mall, catch a movie, head home, and call it a night!
FRI- Get breakfast at Chick-fil-a, head off to Houston zoo for half the day, lunch at Sunshine’s, then off to the Houston Aquarium. Finally, end the night off at Phill and Dereck’s for music and cuisine.
SAT- Chill day- get breakfast at The Toasted Yolk and headed back to the house to help my friend pack. Say our fair wells while were at the airport.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me a vision at an early age; my sister for being my role model; mom for being my WHY; dad for educating me about life, finances, investing, and becoming a man; late grand-mother for helping to cultivate me into the respectable and presentable young man and leader I am today; family and friends for the love, resources, and support over the years; community leaders and businessmen and women who mentor me and extended their networks; schools and organizations for inviting me to speak and host youth events; media outlets for sharing their platforms to share my story; but most of all- my Houston community for supporting my vision; and to all my valuable customers near and far who have successfully help me expand and grow Vallaire’s For Men over the last five years. I am so humbled and grateful for your continuous dedication ensuring I am a success story!

APPEARANCES-
NEWS- ABC13 and ABC Localish • FOX 26 News • Houston Community College (HCC TV)- “Our Community Our Money” • Documentary “Invalidated” by Josh Malone • KPRC 2 News Houston Life • WFAA Channel 8-Dallas, TX at Mark Cuban’s Heroes Basketball Camp
RADIO/PODCAST- Radio One- 97.9 The Box • 107 JAMZ • 953 Jamz.com • ‘Our Voices Matter’ Podcast with Linda Lorelle- Episode 10 • Amazing 102.5 “The Joyful Life” • Couch Time with Sonja Lowe • Youth Impact with Tyler & Taylor KOER-LP 101.5 FM
MAGAZINE- The Buzz Magazines “Going Green” • AVID Magazine •  Small Business Today Magazine’s 2017 Youthpreneur of the Year
NEWSPAPER- Interviewed by the Washington Post • Interviewed by The New York Times, The Aspen Institute  •  Houston Chronicle- Katy teen entrepreneur Brice Everhart gives men style options with bow-tie line  • Houston Chronicle- Through art and local business, a chance for Third Ward to ‘stem gentrification’ • 10th Edition of Who’s Who Black Houston
SHOWS- Aniyah Cotton Show • Anthony Ford’s Holiday Fashion Show
AWARDS- Winner of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Chi Chapter 2019
BMW-Bold Men & Women “Excelling in Business” Youth Entrepreneur pitch contest • The King Campaign Next Generation Award • Nominee for Eyeconic Television’s 2018-2019 Kidpreneur of the Year • Recipient of World Youth Foundation’s 2017 & 2018 Youth Entrepreneur Award • Lemon Limelight Media’s 2018 18 Under 18 Awards • 2019 Young Entrepreneur Pinnacle award for Houston Black Chamber of Commerce • 2018 and 2019 Red Carpet reporter for Night of Superstars- Houston, TX Annual Gala
PARTICIPANT- World Youth Foundation Seeds of Gratitude Annual Gala • The Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) Oil & Natural Gas Conference and HMSDC Expo • Texas Women Empowerment Foundation Brother 2 Brother Men Awake & Take Over • Houston Community College Business Round Table • The Houston Village Foundation Annual Male Summit • Champions Kids Camp • University of Houston and Young Inventors Showcase • Interagency HUB Vendor Fair “Marketing For Success” • Jonathan Sprinkle’s Presentation Power • Houston Acton Children’s Business Fair • Imagine Excellence, Inc. Leadership Conference • Houston Area Urban League Pitch Competition • Enbridge Black Business Expo- Black Focus Group • Celebrating You, Inc. Dream Big 2K19 & Celebrating the King in You • Black Greek Wall Street • The Imani School Wakanda Fest • Target Evolution’s Teen Biz Camp, Teen Biz Pop Up Shop located in the Galleria Mall- Houston, TX/Memorial City Mall, and Teen Biz DreamWorks  • UP Social Network Guinness World #RecordBreakers 2020 • South By Southwest • Committee Chairman for AISD- Grantham Academy Middle School/Community Project • Collaborative partnership with Houston Police Department Explorer Program  • Chief Executive Agent and President of Young Empowerment Society, Inc.
OTHER (PHILANTHROPIST/SPEAKER/TESTIMONIAL/VOLUNTEER)- Mentored by some of the finest men and women in the business and fashion industry since 2015 • Gifted & Talented, Student Council, and Youth Coordinator for Harmony School of Discovery’s Youth Leadership Club • Guest speaker and vendor at countless schools, organizations, events, businesses, etc. • Small Business Coaching & Connections  • Volunteer (Night of Superstars, Champion Kids Camp, World Youth Foundation, Houston Village Foundation, and Workshop Houston)
Image Credits
Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle
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