Ten Toes Down and Chasing Goals with Rob Marley of Stay Focus Society

Ep 144: Ten Toes Down and Chasing Goals with Rob Marley of Stay Focus SocietyPart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series 🖤Self-motivated. Determination. Commitment. Those are the three stars on the logo, and they're not decoration.Rob Marley was going through the worst of it around 2010. No support system, no outlet. He kept telling himself two words to get through the day, and then figured a whole community of people probably needed them too. He didn't know graphic design or computers. He started by painting the words on t-shirts by hand.What We Talk AboutThe trip that started it: he got on the bus at 119th, rode downtown to an art school he'd never seen, and asked strangers for directions the whole wayWhat happened when he tried to sell his first shirts to family and friends, and what Instagram taught him about who his customers actually wereWhy he says be careful who you tell your ideas to, and what a real community around your business looks like insteadThe unexpected turn: he's building a workout community now too, running activations in the park, because losing his focus physically taught him something about keeping it everywhere elseIf you love origin stories that don't skip the scary parts, this episode is for you.All about Rob MarleyYou're gonna love Rob. He's a father, a creator, and a visionary who built a Chicago clothing line on focus, positivity, and persistence. He had a Hyde Park store from late 2019 through early 2024, which means he opened it weeks before the pandemic and kept it going anyway. He's spent years doing pop-ups and meeting people directly, block by block, in West Pullman, Chatham, South Shore, and Pilsen. He's now relocating to a new appointment-only showroom called 5113, with a new website to match.Things We MentionedStay Focus Society5113, the new appointment-only showroom, coming soonThe goal chasing shirtHis coat drive, collecting coats, hoodies, socks, and hatsHis upcoming workout activation in the parkThis series is supported by Off the Grid, a podcast for small business owners who want to leave social media without losing their clients. Find them at offthegrid.fun 🖤Connect with Rob MarleyIG: @robmarley_stayfocussocietyWebsiteStay Connected📬 Get the noseyAF Dispatch → Subscribe here 🏡 Grab the Good Neighbor Playbook → Download it freeMore ways to connectEmail: [email protected] on IG: @stephaniegrahamListen to more episodes: noseyaf.comSupport & FeedbacknoseyAF is listener-supported; thank you for being here. 💛🫶🏾 ⭐ Rate & Review the Show 📣 Share noseyAF with a friend who needs to hear thisEpisode CreditsProduced, Hosted, and Edited by Stephanie Graham Lyrics: Queen Lex Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam Cover Art: Emma McGoldrick